Small Business Marketing Advice From The Back of a Taxi.
Posted on: 06.09.09 by Susan Wilson Solovic
Whenever I meet someone and tell them about SBTV.com -- they often ask for advice.  I don't mind because I enjoy helping people start and grow their businesses.  However, today was a bit unusual.  I was in a taxi on my way to a conference in New York City.  My driver asked what kind of work I do, and when I told him he said his dream is to open a restaurant someday.  Then, he asked how a new small business can get customers without spending a lot of money on advertising.  

I explained most entrepreneurs don't have marketing budgets when they are just getting started.  However, in today's environment there are cost effective marketing strategies you can use such as email marketing campaigns and social media. He wasn't familiar with either and asked me to share examples. 

So I suggested he could capture customer's email addresses when they visit his restaurant by offering an incentive such as 10 percent off on their next visit or offering a free desert.  Then he could use the address to create an email marketing campaign to promote dinner specials and promotions keeping his restaurant top of mind.  I also recommended he do something similar on his restaurant's web site.  

As we neared my destination, he asked if I'd mind writing down my suggestions before I got out so he could remember them.  Well, of course I did. 

Isn't it amazing, so many people all over the world are dream of opening their own business.  And even though my taxi driver friend won't be making any changes immediately, he's taking opportunities to learn what it  takes to open a business so when he does he'll be better prepared.  From me he picked up marketing tips.   Maybe someday, I'll walk into a restaurant and there he'll be having made his dream come true.  If that's the case, I hope I helped in some small way. 

If you'd like to create an email campaign for your business learn great strategies from SBTV.com's strategic partner Constant Contact. 
Tags: New York City conference customer email marketing marketing tips starting a restaurant small business dream email inexpensive marketing small business advice SBTV.com Small business television Susan Wilson Solovic
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Name: 
Susan Wilson Solovic
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SBTV.com
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1790 S. Brentwood Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63144
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