Database Marketing: Using Point-of-Sale Data to Improve Profitability

Written by David Frey


Copyright 2005 David Frey

Not long ago I made a trip over torepparttar local Radio Shack to purchase an electronic plug for my cassette recorder.

As I paid for my itemrepparttar 142639 retail clerk asked me for my name, address, telephone number, birth date, and even my email address (something every retailer should be asking for today!).

Although I felt a twinge of discomfort giving out my personal information, I went ahead and gave it to him and went on my way.

Driving home I reflected on Radio Shack’s checkout process and was reminded ofrepparttar 142640 power of information gathering atrepparttar 142641 point of sale.

I had just given Radio Shack three ways to contact me, not to mention, information on what I had purchased. Inrepparttar 142642 hands of a skilled marketer, this information is powerful.

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Database Marketing _____________________

The recent economic slowdown has brought increased competition to small businesses. And with that, retailers across North America have described their sales as "flat." Small businesses should be looking for low cost, high impact marketing activities to drive prospects to their business.

One ofrepparttar 142643 most effective and cost-efficient ways to add profits torepparttar 142644 bottom line isrepparttar 142645 use of database marketing, which uses information collected atrepparttar 142646 point-of-sale.

Using personal data, purchasing data, and contact information from a customer database, a spa and pool retailer can make offers to customers for complimentary products and services and engage in loyalty marketing activities.

Database marketing has four key elements, (1) gathering customer data, (2) building a customer database, (3) creating targeted offers for specific customer groups, and (4) tracking results to improve responses.

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Step 1: Gather customer data. ________________________________

The easiest way to begin this process is to develop a simple form for customers and salespeople to fill out every time a customer purchases a product or service. Include personal information such as names of spouses, children, profession, and birthdays, as well as, product information such as manufacturer, make, and model.

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Step 2: Build a database to store your customer information. __________________________________________________

Start simple using off-the-shelf software such as Microsoft Access. Later on you can begin to modifyrepparttar 142647 database to either include different types of information or to print special reports.

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Step 3: Start sending offers and personal messages to your customers. _______________________________________________________

Don’t wait until you have a large mailing list. Begin sending notes to customers right away thanking them for their purchase, to celebrate birthdays, share holiday messages, and inviting them to come in and take advantage of special offers.

There is an old saying that goes, "Business goes where business is invited, and stays where it is appreciated." A personalized invitation to drop byrepparttar 142648 store to take advantage of a specific incentive is sometimes all that is needed to keep your customers coming back intorepparttar 142649 store.

Dr. Robert Anthony Reveals How To Use Quantum Physics To Supercharge Your Life

Written by Rick Miller


Copyright 2005 Rick Miller

What secret dreams do you have for your life?

What if you could have anything you want simply by using your mind in a certain revolutionary way?

Undoubtedly, Dr. Robert Anthony, author of 15 best-selling books, includingrepparttar Beyond Positive Thinking, isrepparttar 142607 undisputed master of teaching people to manifest their desires and turn them into reality.

Dr. Anthony recently spoke with Tellman Knudson as part ofrepparttar 142608 List Crusade program, a series of audio lessons from over 52 leading self-help gurus and Internet marketing experts.

** NOTE: To access Dr. Robert Anthony's complete audio interview for fr^ee and learn more aboutrepparttar 142609 List Crusade program, go to: http://www.ListCrusadeArticles.com/sya-anthony.html **

He offered these words of advice to give you complete and total control over your brain and mind in accomplishing whatever you want to accomplish.

The most important thing, he says, is to realize that you’ve caused whatever outcome you currently have in your life. Are you still struggling to make a living or have a succesful relationship? The fact is that, consciously or unconsciously, you are causing your lack of success.

You are not a victim of circumstances. Simply by becoming aware ofrepparttar 142610 tremendous effect of your thoughts and emotions you can turn become a creator of your circumstances and have whatever you want in your life. In fact, you can virtually guarantee a successful outcome.

One universal law and principle that Dr. Anthony reveals is: ” You attract what you focus on.” In other words, what you focus on expands. So it follows, if you don’t haverepparttar 142611 money, health, or relationship that you want, it’s due to focusing onrepparttar 142612 wrong things.

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