Can small businesses 'Gain the Edge' in the ‘Credit Crunch?'

Times are difficult at the moment, with many businesses suffering from the ‘credit crunch’. However,  there are a number of positive steps you can take to give you the edge in promoting your message/product or service.

Two cost effective ways that may improve the look and ‘hook’ of your ministry/business are 0845 / 0800 numbers and stock (professional) photos for advertising.

Can a different telephone number really make a difference? 

Companies today have clearly proven that having a local/national telephone number can improve exposure to your message. At present, 0845 (local call rate) numbers can be obtained free from www.skycomuk.com   and are charged to the caller at 1p off peak and 4p peak per minute. There is no cost to you and no monthly service fee.

For example, if you have a 0845 (local call rate) or 0800 (free-phone) number you encourage your customers to call you by minimising their expenses in doing so. It is ideal for use in advertising campaigns. Some obvious benefits are:-

1. Advertise your 0845/0800 number in the usual phone books, giving a long-term advantage over normal numbers.  
2. Providing a low cost or free number also encourages people to contact you.  
3. Dedicate certain aspects of your  business for free-phone numbers – ie. Help Line or Customer Enquiries.  
4. Place them on business cards and all stationery, creating a better chance of people contacting you.  
5. People associate these numbers with large and professional services. These numbers also allow you to target areas where you have no physical presence.  
6. They offer a proven way of increasing your exposure and developing customer loyalty.  

Click here to see examples of free 0845 numbers and open your free account at www.skycomuk.com

Advertising – isn’t it Expensive?

Well, the answer can be both ‘yes’ and ‘no’! In the same manner that not all the best food has to be expensive, so it is with advertising. An effective advertising campaign can be the very thing needed to bring fresh life (and more importantly, people) into your path!

Remember that the cost of advertising and creating a brand image/logo is relative to what revenue/achievements it can produce for your business.

Before you can decide what advertising you need, you need to ask yourself some questions:-  

1. It is important that you look at successful ‘similar’ businesses, and try to ascertain what it is about their advertising that is proving to be ‘great bait!’

2. If you were looking to buy ‘your product’ or ‘respond to your message’, what things would you look for in the ad?

3. Does your current advertising clearly reflect the services you are offering and the people that you hope to attract?

4. There is a modern proverb that says that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Could you be more succinct with your words and pictures? Can you make your message clearer without ‘cluttering’ up the page?

5. Ascertain exactly just who it is that you are trying to reach? What do you know about the age range, local demographic, interests and lifestyle of the person you are trying to reach?

So where can I start with the right photo/image for my work? 

The fabulous world of ‘Stock’ Photos is an often ‘essential’ library for you to search through. A few of these excellent companies are:-

www.sxc.hu       www.stockexpert.com        www.istockphoto.com

Giving your business the right ‘look’ may be FAR cheaper than you think!

What about Email Marketing?

Why not visit www.greatemailoffers.co.uk. Here you will find an excellent way of reaching out via the Internet to promote your business.

If you would like to receive some amazing discounts/offers for advertising/flyers/brochures and web design, please callSimon Page on 01253 808330 or email him at: enquiries@simonpageonline.co.uk  for the latest offers.