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Something Old, Something New (Or, How To Keep The Excitement Alive In Your Business) By Tatiana Velitchkov © 2002 Let's say there are 2 competing perfume stores in your city. Perfume store number one hasn't changed its catalog in years, because it still offers the same favorite scents. On the other hand, perfume store number two changes & distributes its catalog every month - because that's how often they come up with new fragrances, new twists to old fragrances, or new packaging for loyal clients' favorite scents. Offhand, which store would you choose to go to the next time you need to pick out a perfume? And based on that offhand decision, which store do you think generates the most interest - and the most sales? So What Else Is New? As a website owner, you MUST have already heard that all-important netmarketing advice at one time or another. And that advice is to "Keep your site updated!" It makes perfect sense, too, because nothing turns off a new client faster than a site that was "updated last 1998." Stale website pages give the impression that you: a) have closed down b) died c) or worse, aren't making enough business NOW to merit the trust of new customers in the FUTURE. But keeping your site - and your business! - fresh shouldn't end with just plugging in a new article or editorial every month. You want your clients to feel that your business is growing, that your service is improving, and that your products are always being re-invented to better serve their needs. You want them to keep on feeling EXCITED about your business, and the best way to do that is to regularly offer them something NEW. 4 Ways To Create Excitement So maybe you don't have a Research & Development arm like Microsoft's - maybe not even a budget that comes close to the price of Windows ME. Nevertheless, you can STILL create that all-important excitement for your business, through any of these 4 cost-effective ways: 1. Old Product, New Package A new box, new bottle, new label, or a new name. When applied to your products, all these elements will instantly create renewed interest in your old offering, and generally add a boost in sales. 2. Old Product, New By-Products People used to wonder where the doughnut holes went after the doughnuts were made. This gave Dunkin Donuts a reason to actually SELL their "doughnut holes," and called them Munchkins. In much the same way, you can use the same raw materials you use for your main product to create new products, or alter them a little to give your old product a new twist. 3. Old Product, New Market Sometimes our product promotions are so targeted towards a specific audience, we often forget they might also appeal to a different market. Try to make a regular re-assessment of your product, and ask yourself how someone else might be able to use it. Do you sell baskets that are perfect for packaging gifts? You can re-invent them to appeal to bakery & delicatessen store owners! Show how your products can be used as unique shopping baskets... and how they will generate more sales from their customers, who will want to keep repeating such a charming shopping experience. 4. Old Product, New Price If everything else seems extravagant to your belt-tight budget, you can always go for the old "something new" standby. And that is: Hold a sale! Set a "new" discounted price for your old product, or combine 2 or more products that can be used together & give them a "new" package price. Clients wouldn't mind that you're selling the same "old" things, as long as you're giving them "new" ways to save. Growing your own business often means keeping a steady relationship with your clients. But "steady" doesn't have to be "boring," and "long-standing" doesn't have to mean "routine." Because whether it's in business or in love, the important thing to remember is to keep the sparks flying. So be creative, be fresh, be EXCITING! © Tatiana Velitchkov About the Author: Tatiana is the publisher of: http://www.TheFortunesEzine.com , the FortunesEzineWeekly at http://www.TakeYourFortune.com, and owner of the traffic-solution slam advertising sites http://www.Guaranteed-Hits.com and http://www.Guaranteed-Hits.net |