Local Retail Store Owners: Get New Business Using SMS Marketing

Boutique clothing store owners don’t always have the ad budgets and support of a national marketing arm. However, they can have the opportunity to provide more personal service to their service. And, that extends to the business marketing. Boutiques should use relationship marketing because they can’t compete on mass advertising.



SMS marketing is a key way to build a one-to-one relationship with customers. Text marketing services can allow a business to connect with customers wherever they are – on their phone. It’s an awesome way to reach the gals (and guys) who would love to stop by and check out your new shoe shipment on their lunch break.



Here are five ideas for boutique's to get more customer numbers:



1. Measurement cards. One of the perks boutiques offer is on-site tailoring. That means you need measurements and customer contact info. While taking measurements, you can talk up how often you get new merchandise and ask the customer if they would like to opt-in to your SMS updates. You can incentivize by offering half off alterations on any purchases made today.



2. Business cards. Put QR codes linking to your opt-in page on business cards, and place them at the front counter and in the shopping bags when your customers check out. This way if it is too crowded or you forget your customer still has a way to opt in for messages. An incentive also helps the cause.



3. Frequent shoppers. Frequent shoppers love discounts and your products. Make the process easy. Move to a digital database and while you’re entering their data, ask for a cell phone number and explain your frequent shopper loyalty text updates. Updates can include secret sales, first alerts on new merchandise and just-for-the-heck-of it sales.



4. QR code poster. Put a poster at the front counter where customers can simply just scan the poster and opt-in for the messages. Just be sure to chat it up if you catch them looking.



5. Have employees ask. Have employees mention the SMS messaging at check out. "Did you find everything you needed to complete your look today? Great! We have a customer loyalty program where we send updates straight to your phone. You’ll be the first to know about new items and secret sales. Would you like to sign up today?"



Boutiques can bring in business in many different ways. Using text message marketing is a great place to start to build up customer loyalty, and have a personal relationship with customers. Use these ideas to get more numbers, and build a great business.











Amanda Brandon is president of ACB Creative, a marketingcommunications firm specializing in helping small businesses generate moresales without spending a fortune. She coaches companies on how to expand theirbusiness with cost-effective tools such as text message marketing, social media and one-to-onedirect mail. Learn more at www.acbcreative.com. http://www.acbcreative.com