Small business

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How to Grow Your Business with a Key Tag Loyalty Program

Posted by my1stop on August 28, 2012
Posted in: Automotive Printing, Hospitality Printing, Industry Specific Products, Plastic Printing, Retail Printing. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Retail and hospitality oriented businesses are constantly trying to figure the right way to market and grow.  Whether they need more sales, customers, or other goals, choosing how to get a message out to prospective and current customers, in the right way, can be challenging.  Many businesses trend towards the same marketing style and over time this become ineffective. Sending the same materials over and over not only wastes money, but the collaterals tend to be thrown out and completely ignored.  Businesses need to try fresh concepts and ideas to obtain results, and one great marketing push to try is a key tag loyalty program. 

Key tag printing has been around for a while; however, businesses are a little intimidated to try and begin one; or maybe they are just not sure which type of program they should use. The fact is they can be very easy.  Even for a small mom and pop shop that has very limited resources can take advantage of what key tags can do for their business.  They are the perfect way to keep customers reminded daily of your business and even incite them to purchase more than normal.  By opting for a barcode on the key tag, a business can track every customer that uses their tag and offer rewards based on purchase price, or even offer a discount at checkout with their key tag.  

Because there are many different key tag options, it is important to have a game plan on what kind of key tag works best for the business marketing plan.  A smaller business may want to just use a single key tag, where others may want a plastic card/key tag combination.  Using the combination approach gives customers the option of showing their card, as opposed to their key tag.  Or even go one step further and choose a card with two or three key tags to accommodate anyone in the house.  Here are some steps to help through this process: 

  • Decide what your business wants to offer.  Do you want to just track customer usage, or do you want to offer a discount with each use?
  • What is your budget for your program?  Make sure you factor in the cost of designing your piece, printing and how you are going to get the key tag into your customer’s hands.
  • Next, which style works best with your goals?  Do you need a card and a key tag(s), or just a single key tag?  Do you want to track with a barcode right on the card or key tag, or will you use a different method, like manually entering a number or discount. 

Although the process can seem a bit overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be.  Researching programs on the web is a great way to get ideas, and most reputable key tag printing companies offer pricing, templates and other information online saving you tons of time.  No matter what the budget or experience, a business can create a great key tag loyalty program that gets results without breaking the bank.

Key Tag Printing – How Can Something So Small Yield Amazing Results

Posted by my1stop on June 21, 2012
Posted in: Hospitality Printing, Industry Specific Products, Plastic Printing, Retail Printing. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

What is it about key tags that customers seem to love?  Is it the size? Is it the convenience of having it right on your key ring? Or is it something else entirely? Key tags have changed over the years; however, one thing remains the same.  They have an incredible ability to increase customer loyalty and obtain new business.   

Key tags capture an audience.  They are these little plastic rectangles, normally with a barcode and/or numbering, that identifies the customer for a variety of reasons.  Some businesses offer rewards programs and each time you purchase you earn points towards something.  Sometimes these barcodes are used to give an automatic discount on their purchase.  And it may be as simple as faster checkout for the customer. Regardless of the use, customers always love convenience, discounts and free stuff making key tag printing a goldmine for any business.  And truthfully, there isn’t a business that can’t utilize them.  Retail customers can offer discounts or loyalty programs.  Insurance and medical industries can use the barcode to retrieve personal records faster.  And restaurants or hotels can offer instant savings at their establishments.  There really is a place for key tags everywhere.

Sometimes businesses are hesitant on using key tags due to the cost factor.  In this day and age, that is certainly a very valid concern.  However, instead of looking at the total cost and instead look at the price per tag; the normal investment is anywhere between $1.60 clear down to only $0.10 each depending on the number you order.  In fact, the more you order, the cheaper your investment per customer. A dime per customer is quite a cheap price to get them through the door! Although the cost is a bit higher, you can also choose to order different styles that include a plastic card, or multiple key tags, to accommodate a family.

Whatever style a business chooses, a key tag program is truly a win-win for everyone.  Customers receive trust, confidence and the feeling of being valued from your business and you get a great ROI.  Sounds like a great trade off! 

 

Ordering Loyalty Key Tags for an Automotive Shop

Posted by wmeadows2013 on March 28, 2012
Posted in: Automotive Printing, Marketing Collaterals, Plastic Printing. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Loyalty key tags are a great way to keep track of customer information and behavior while also offering them discounts and specials when they use their custom key tags. Several retail and service-based businesses, from grocery stores to craft retailers, are using these types of loyalty programs. Because of the wide variety of options that come with a custom key tag, it is possible for an automotive shop to create a loyalty program as well.

An automotive shop can make it possible to track customers’ car repairs and history, as well as offer them loyalty programs on regularly scheduled services, such as tire rotations or oil changes. For instance, it may be worthwhile to offer a free oil change for every ten oil changes a customer purchases at one automotive tire & lube shop.

The loyalty key tag program can also send customers personalized coupons and recall or safety information targeted to their demographics, service history, and vehicle make & model. Many customers would appreciate being alerted when their vehicle has a recall. This is also a good opportunity for the automotive shop to offer to repair or replace the recalled component, giving the customer peace of mind and the ability to get back onto the road safely.

Automotive key tags should include the business’ logo, as well as an automotive design, such as an engine, car clip art, or other types of related artwork that would relate easily. Most well-designed key tags either have graphics completely filling the front of the key tag or have their logo on a solid color background, such as black or blue. Choosing a background color that is related to one of the business’ logo colors can give an overall cohesive feel and design. Adding a barcode to the back of the key tag will allow you to scan, and keep track, of customer loyalty. Key tags should also be easily identifiable, as most customers have a few key tags on their key ring at once. A great key tag printing program can not only increase business, but help your automotive business provide excellent customer service and incentives.

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Can Direct Mail Marketing Really Expand Your Customer Base and Increase Profits?

Posted by wmeadows2013 on July 9, 2009
Posted in: Mailers, Marketing Collaterals, Printing Tips, Promotions. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Direct mail marketing has been around since the postage stamp was invented. Tried. True. But sometimes lacking in results – and never inexpensive – until now.  Plastic postcards are changing response rates and cutting costs for direct mailers everywhere – and they are easy to add to any direct mail marketing campaign.

Cutting Costs and Driving Up Direct Mail Response Rates:

  • Get Out Of Paper And Into Biodegradable Plastic Mailing Pieces
  • Drive Up Response Rates With Interactive Snap Out Pieces
  • Cut Costs By Eliminating Steps and Overall Number Of Pieces
  • Keep It Green –  Fewer Pieces – Less Throw Away – Biodegradable Materials
  • They Are Affordable From Sites Like www.My1Stop.com

Direct mail marketing not only can work – but it can work for you in new ways with less cost and greater returns. Adding new solutions like plastic postcards to your direct marketing bag of tricks will keep you on top of the stacks at every mailbox you target. All at a cost – to you and the environment – that’s lower than ever before.

5 Marketing Ideas That Work For Small Business

Posted by wmeadows2013 on September 1, 2006
Posted in: General Discussion, Marketing Collaterals, Printing Tips. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Ready to grow your small business? It’s all about marketing. For many small businesses, the best idea is to make one person the supreme and defacto marketing manager deluxe (even if it’s only part time). This person funnels everyone’s’ ideas and puts the best ones out there to work for the business.

Here are a 5 tips to get your marketing manager deluxe started:

1. Get Some Design Help For Your Business Materials
2. Find High Quality Printing at Low Prices
3. Get Some Outside Advice On Small Business Marketing
4. Read John Jantsch’s August 06′ Blog Who Wears the Marketing Hat In Your Business?

The final, 5th tip? Most important. Stay the course and bend with the trail. Get a good but short marketing plan together and stick to it – but be willing to make changes based on results of your marketing efforts and changes in your market.

What’s your idea . . .?