Without going into the how-to of using Twitter and bulk text messaging, suffice to say that there are numerous uses as a retail business owner and operator for these social networking capabilities. Keeping customers apprised of upcoming events, last minute specials, even a sale just for those folks that follow you on twitter or are willing to receive text messages from you can generate awareness and excitement about the products and services at your facility. An example of this occurred at a friend’s business earlier this year. One of the sale reps for a company he does business with called with what appeared to be a very enticing offer for equipment. Before committing to the purchase of a number of units, he sent out a text message to the customers on his list. He asked them to contact him immediately if they had any interest at all. He received eleven responses to his two hundred plus text messages. He pre-sold seven units that day. He called the rep back and ordered the product at no risk. Everybody won that day…the sales rep, the shop owner and the customer. You can use this same methodology to reduce inventory or just generate more customer visits to your store for little or no cost.
If you link sales history to this capability, you can target customers that might be interested in what you want to sell. Let us say you sell several customers a certain driver early this season. You realize you have a few too many 3-woods and 5-woods matching these drivers. If you know who bought the drivers earlier in the year you can send them a personalized text offering them a special price for the fairway woods. This is just one example of using modern technology to get a message in front of a customer or potential customer.
One final example could be using Twitter to announce a last minute demo day or a “free” group chipping or putting lesson on an evening you are not busy. The response will be proportional to the quality of the product and the number of folks that follow you on twitter. It is found business and there are no costs involved in marketing the event.
As I finish this blog I am distracted by my second computer screen where live video of the first round of the PGA Championship is finishing up. You have to love this technology. Learn to use it to maximize your chances of business success.
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