Dave Roth asked:


se a lot of different ways to get customers to come back to your business. One of these is CRM, or customer relationship management, software. There are some people who do not think that this kind of software is a good choice. There are companies that think it is too expensive. Some companies are very worried about whether it is too intrusive. These are generally smaller companies that do not see the value of CRM. The potential problems are the only thing that these companies look at. They feel like their customers might not want to provide that much information and they do not want to spend the money that the CRM software will cost them. They are often not aware of the fact that they are able to get the software that they want for little to no initial cost. They can only collect as much information as they want to. There is no requirement to be intrusive to the customers that they have. Often, customers who do not feel pressured to provide information will actually offer more of it. The company can then use the CRM software to collect information.

For businesses who do not want to use CRM software there are other options. Many of these are very small businesses. They have few employees and they think that they can operate their business with notebooks and a filing cabinet. It is quite possible that they can do this, but what will they do when their business becomes larger? If a business gets more than a few customers it will have to reorganize its filing system and the way that it collects and stores information. Doing this through CRM software is a great choice. It is possible to get a trial version of the software. If they do this there will be no initial cost outlay for the CRM software that they are using. When they do this they get the opportunity to try out different kinds of CRM software from different companies. They can then make a better determination of what they need. A smaller company will not need as much as a larger company so the software that they buy can be less complex. Having something less complex also makes that software less expensive.

For people who are looking at ways to build their business and keep their customers coming back CRM can be the best choice. From a tiny company to a large corporation, there are many options for all types of business owners. Not only can it help a person keep track of customer information like names and addresses and emails, but it can also help customer service personnel be prepared when a customer calls in. The customer can be directed to a person who can help solve a problem or answer a question because there is an opportunity for customer service to look at sales records and previous calls as well as other information. This helps the business out but it also helps build customer confidence.

Marketing Buzz asked:


Do you know what the best type of Marketing is for your company?

How about a Yellow Pages advert? Pay per click? Maybe some direct mail followed up a telemarketing campaign?

Well whilst each of these are perfectly valid marketing routes and one’s any forward thinking company should at least test the very best type of marketing for all types of business is the type that is FREE!!!

That’s right Ladies and Gentlemen, if you’re working with a tight marketing budget (or indeed with no set marketing budget at all) then you can now get exposure for your product, service or company in the form of PR (or Public Relations).

For large companies PR is big business. They will think nothing of employing staff with the sole intention of getting the name of their company in the media (be it written press, television, radio or online). And because the PR market is seemingly dominated by the larger companies small companies shy away from using PR in their marketing mix.

If this applies to you then good times could well be ahead as PR is a vital part of the marketing mix for smaller companies in particular as they often don’t have the time or money to spend on often expensive advertising or other marketing.

Successful businesses of all sizes use PR to promote their business, build their reputation and become a recognised expert in their particular field. And the beauty of PR is that everyone is an expert in something. And by passing on your expertise in a particular subject in the right way you become newsworthy.

And that is the real secret when it comes to good PR. It has to be interesting and newsworthy. Nobody cares that you’ve just launched a new website or that Mrs Jones in Accounts has just become a Grandmother for the second time (both subjects I’ve seen in press releases and both subjects I’ve seen in journalist’s bins!!). And if you’ve ever attempted PR only not to have it published then I wouldn’t worry too much about it as you’re amongst the 99% of companies who send out PR that isn’t newsworthy or interesting.

Here are a few words on Why PR is important.

Communication lies at the heart of today’s modern society. Be it on the internet, television, pod casts or whatever medium you choose. And with so many firms competing for the same business as you, how do your customers differentiate between you and your competitors?

The answer lies not particularly in the size of your Yellow Pages advert but how you project yourself and what your firm has to offer.

PR has a huge sway in the minds of consumers as the perceived third party endorsement that comes from editorial coverage can be substantial, maybe even more so than advertising that can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds.

PR done well can result in increased exposure, increased business and increased profits. And if you want your business to be the best it can be then becoming good at PR is something you want to do.

And remember, it’s FREE!!!!