| Just like you shouldn't wait until | | | | with each joint venture partner that |
| Valentines Day to pamper your loved one, | | | | contributes something for the goody |
| you shouldn't wait until the next time | | | | bag.Idea #2: Educational GiftsThis idea |
| you're launching a new product or | | | | is best described with this specific |
| service before your past and current | | | | example... If you're a business coach, |
| clients hear from you. The pampering | | | | you can host a client appreciation day. |
| should continue all year long, if you | | | | The Client Delight Experience could |
| want loyalty and repeat business from | | | | include (i) a 60-minute, |
| them.A pattern I see again and again is | | | | telephone-based, workshop-format |
| the | | | | presentation on a hot business-building |
| "keep-attracting-new-clients-and-neglect | | | | topic by a guest expert. (ii) mailing |
| -old-ones" syndrome.Considering these | | | | your clients a hard copy "how-to" tips |
| facts... It costs six times more to | | | | booklet that's authored by another |
| acquire a new client than it costs to | | | | expert. (iii) a discount coupon for a |
| get repeat business from an existing | | | | live seminar hosted by another expert |
| client. It's sixteen times easier to | | | | during the year.Idea #3: Dinner For |
| sell to your existing clients than to a | | | | TwoMake arrangements with restaurants in |
| new client, simply because your existing | | | | cities where you have clients. On every |
| clients already know, like and trust | | | | client's birthday send them a "free |
| you. ... it is baffling why many small | | | | dessert for two" voucher from a local |
| business owners ignore a client after | | | | restaurant. A savvy restaurant owner |
| the first sale, and only ever contact | | | | will know that your client is likely to |
| the client again when a new marketing | | | | eat more than dessert, so they would be |
| campaign is launched. And yet, they | | | | happy to give away the dessert freebie. |
| expect the client to spread the word | | | | I know this because I work with a lot of |
| about them.The success of your business | | | | restaurant owners. Your only cost may be |
| doesn't depend just on bringing in new | | | | printing the voucher, but you'll find |
| clients. It also depends on retaining | | | | that some restaurant owners may take on |
| current clients, getting repeat business | | | | that cost too.Idea #4: Happy Birthday |
| from them, and encouraging them to tell | | | | PackageOn the birthday of your best |
| others about your products and | | | | clients, arrange to have exclusive |
| services.So how do you pamper your | | | | discount coupons and/or freebies from |
| clients when you have a low marketing | | | | three different businesses. For |
| budget?Simply get your joint venture | | | | example, a 15% discount coupon from a |
| partners to contribute gifts that will | | | | gift basket company, a free facial |
| create a Client Delight Experience for | | | | voucher from a Day Spa, and a 2-month |
| your clients... the kind of experience | | | | free membership voucher from a business |
| that will encourage your clients give | | | | web site or fitness club. Present each |
| you more referrals, sing your praises | | | | coupon and voucher in a separate fancy |
| wherever they go, and keep coming back | | | | envelope and put all envelopes in a gift |
| to buy more of your products and | | | | box with a card, and mail it to your |
| services.Most small business owners | | | | client as a "happy birthday" |
| implement joint venture marketing to | | | | package.These ideas are only the tip of |
| acquire new clients. They forget that | | | | the iceberg when it comes to how to use |
| this powerful strategy can also be used | | | | joint venture marketing to "wow" your |
| to enhance client relationships.It's a | | | | clients. If you don't have clients yet, |
| win-win situation because your joint | | | | you can contribute freebies to other |
| venture partners will gain exposure to | | | | non-competing businesses that have the |
| your clients, and your clients will be | | | | type of clients you target. You'll find |
| happy that you added value to their | | | | that this tactic will send their clients |
| business experience with you, without | | | | your way.Copyright © 2006 by Habiba |
| charging extra.Valentines, birthdays, | | | | Abubakar and Emprez. All rights |
| thanksgiving, Xmas etc. are all | | | | reserved.Note: You are welcome to |
| opportunities to "wow" your clients with | | | | republish this article as long as the |
| a Client Delight Experience. Here are | | | | resource box at the end is included |
| four ways to do this by using joint | | | | fully and unaltered.Habiba Abubakar, |
| venture marketing:Idea #1: Day Spa | | | | a.k.a. The Profit Diva, specializes in |
| BonanzaContact a local Day Spa and let | | | | helping small business owners who are |
| them know you're preparing a Valentines | | | | struggling to increase their client base |
| Day goody bag for your clients. Ask them | | | | and are tired of earning mediocre |
| to contribute an exclusive "get two | | | | profits. The tips in this article have |
| facials for the price of one" voucher or | | | | been excerpted from her home-study |
| a discount coupon for selected spa | | | | program, "Joint Venture Profits For |
| treatments. You can share printing costs | | | | Small Business Owners. |