Collaborative partnerships are the key to building a successful business. Going on the journey of entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. In fact, it becomes even more thrilling and fulfilling when you forge collaborative partnerships along the way. Collaboration is the key to unlocking exponential business growth and achieving remarkable results. In this article, we’ll explore the incredible potential of partnerships and how they can transform your business.
Picture this: two passionate individuals or businesses coming together, each with their unique strengths and expertise. By combining forces, they create a synergy that propels their businesses to new heights. That’s the power of partnerships. When you join forces with the right partners, you open up a world of opportunities, resources, and networks that can supercharge your growth.
“Why are collaborative partnerships
so powerful?”
Well, let’s start with the concept of complementary strengths.
No one can be an expert in everything, and that’s where partnerships shine. By collaborating with partners who excel in areas where you may have limitations, you can fill the gaps and offer a more comprehensive solution to your customers. It’s like a puzzle coming together, where each piece fits perfectly to create a complete picture.
Imagine you run a small bakery, known for your delicious pastries and mouth-watering cakes. However, you struggle with reaching a wider audience and establishing a strong online presence. This is where a partnership with a digital marketing agency could work wonders. They have the expertise and experience in online marketing, helping you leverage social media, optimise your website, and implement effective marketing campaigns. By joining forces, you can combine your culinary prowess with their digital marketing savvy, creating a winning recipe for success.
Partnerships also enable you to expand your reach and tap into new markets.
By partnering with businesses that have a different customer base or operate in a different geographic location, you can access a whole new pool of potential customers. Let’s say you have a fashion boutique specialising in sustainable clothing. By partnering with an eco-friendly accessories brand that shares your values, you can cross-promote each other’s products and tap into each other’s customer base. This not only increases your visibility but also allows you to diversify your revenue streams.
But partnerships are not just about expanding reach; they also foster innovation and creativity. When different perspectives, ideas, and experiences collide, the result is often groundbreaking innovation. By working together, you can spark new ideas, challenge the status quo, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. The synergy of collaboration ignites a creative spark that can lead to game-changing breakthroughs.
Prioritise open communication in collaborative partnerships. Establish clear channels, encourage active listening, and create a safe space for sharing ideas. By fostering effective communication, you can build trust, strengthen relationships, and drive the success of your partnerships.
Consider the partnership between a technology startup and a design agency.
The startup brings cutting-edge technological solutions, while the design agency adds aesthetic appeal and user experience design expertise. Together, they create innovative products that not only meet the market’s needs but also exceed customer expectations. By leveraging their respective strengths, they disrupt the industry and position themselves as leaders in their field.
Of course, partnerships are not without their challenges.
Like any relationship, they require trust, open communication, and a shared vision. It’s important to choose partners who align with your values and share a common purpose. Building strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust is the foundation for successful partnerships.
Now, let’s explore how you can form powerful partnerships.
Start by identifying potential partners who align with your goals and values. Look for businesses or individuals that complement your strengths and bring added value to your customers. Reach out and initiate a conversation, exploring ways you can collaborate and create win-win opportunities. Be open to brainstorming, sharing resources, and supporting each other’s growth.
Building and nurturing partnerships requires effort and commitment.
Regular communication, joint planning, and ongoing collaboration are essential for a fruitful partnership. Remember, partnerships are not about competition; they are about collaboration. By joining forces with the right partners, you can achieve exponential business growth, expand your reach, foster innovation, and create remarkable results. Embrace the power of partnerships and unlock the full potential of your business.
Ready to embark on the journey of powerful partnerships?
Reach out to potential collaborators, explore new possibilities, and watch your business soar to new heights. Together, we can achieve greatness.
Ready to dive deeper into valuable insights and strategies for business growth? Explore our collection of informative and inspiring blogs that cover a wide range of topics to help you succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Visit our blog section and unlock a wealth of knowledge that will propel your business forward. Get ready to fuel your growth and ignite your entrepreneurial journey.
Ready to elevate your business? Book a FREE strategy call now and let’s discuss how collaborative partnerships can drive innovation in your business!
In today’s digital landscape, where online reviews and opinions hold significant weight, building a stellar online reputation has become a crucial aspect of business success. A strong online reputation not only helps you attract new customers but also fosters loyalty among existing ones. It’s essential to understand that in the age of the internet, your brand’s reputation is constantly being shaped by customer experiences and feedback. In this article, we will explore the importance of building a stellar online reputation and provide actionable insights on how businesses can delight their customers to achieve this goal.
The online reputation of a business can make or break its success. Research shows that a significant percentage of consumers rely on online reviews and ratings before making purchase decisions. A negative online reputation can deter potential customers, while a positive one can attract them like a magnet. Moreover, an excellent online reputation builds trust, credibility, and customer loyalty, contributing to long-term business growth. By proactively managing and delighting customers, businesses can create a stellar online reputation that sets them apart from the competition.
Consistent Excellence in Customer Service
Delighting customers starts with providing exceptional customer service consistently. Train your staff to deliver personalised experiences, actively listen to customer concerns, and resolve issues promptly. When customers feel heard and valued, they are more likely to share positive feedback, contributing to a strong online reputation.
Actively Encourage and Monitor Online Reviews
Online reviews have a profound impact on your reputation. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms relevant to your industry. Respond promptly and professionally to both positive and negative reviews, showcasing your commitment to customer satisfaction. Monitoring reviews allows you to address concerns, rectify issues, and demonstrate your dedication to continuous improvement.
Embrace Transparency and Authenticity
Transparency is a crucial element in building a stellar online reputation. Be honest and upfront in your communications with customers. Admit mistakes when they occur and take responsibility for resolving them. Demonstrating authenticity helps foster trust and loyalty among your customers, strengthening your reputation.
Engage on Social Media
Social media platforms provide an excellent opportunity to engage directly with your customers. Respond to comments, messages, and mentions promptly and professionally. Use social media to showcase your brand’s personality, share valuable content, and address customer inquiries. By actively engaging on social media, you demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction and build a positive online presence.
Deliver Personalised Experiences
Customers appreciate personalised experiences that cater to their specific needs and preferences. Leverage customer data and insights to tailor your products, services, and interactions. Whether it’s personalised recommendations or targeted marketing campaigns, providing a personalised touch shows customers that you value their individuality and fosters a positive online presence.
Proactively Seek Feedback
Don’t wait for customers to voice their opinions; actively seek feedback through surveys, emails, or other channels. Regularly collect customer insights to understand their evolving needs and expectations. Address any issues or concerns promptly and use feedback as an opportunity to improve your products and services continually.
Monitor and Manage Online Presence
Maintaining a stellar online reputation requires vigilant monitoring of your brand’s online presence. Regularly search for mentions of your brand, track social media conversations, and use online monitoring tools to stay updated. Address any negative mentions or misinformation promptly and take proactive steps to manage your online reputation effectively.
Final Thoughts
Building a stellar online reputation is a continuous process that requires dedication, attention to detail, and a customer-centric mindset. By consistently delighting your customers, actively managing online reviews, and embracing transparency, you can shape a positive perception of your brand in the digital world. Remember, a strong online presence not only attracts new customers but also builds trust and loyalty among existing ones.
Ready to take your online reputation to new heights? At Done Digital, we can help you bring your brand to life and make it shine online!Book a FREE strategy call with one of our marketing consultants for a complimentary consultation.
https://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/5ssfq6onbx4.jpg10671600Kryzel Fernandezhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngKryzel Fernandez2023-05-30 15:32:032023-06-06 11:21:43How To Delight Your Customers And Build a Stellar Online Reputation
As a small business owner, you may be wondering why customer feedback is so important. After all, you may have a good product or service, and your customers seem to be happy with what you offer. However, customer feedback can provide valuable insights that can help you improve your business and grow your customer base. Here are five reasons why customer feedback is essential for small businesses:
Improve customer satisfaction
As a small business owner, one of the most valuable assets you have is your customer base. Without happy and satisfied customers, your business won’t grow and succeed in the long run. That’s why customer feedback is so important. By listening to your customers and taking their feedback seriously, you can uncover valuable insights that can help you take your business to the next level.
Customer feedback can help you understand what your customers truly value and what they are looking for in a product or service. By addressing these needs and wants, you can create a more personalised experience for your customers that will keep them coming back for more.
Moreover, customer feedback can also help you improve your overall customer service. By understanding where customers may be experiencing issues, you can address them and make changes that will improve the experience for future customers. This can not only increase customer satisfaction but can also lead to positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations, which can attract new customers and increase revenue.
Identify areas for improvement
Customer feedback can also help you identify areas where your business may be falling short. For example, if you receive feedback that your customer service needs improvement, you can take steps to address this issue. By making changes based on customer feedback, you can improve your business and ensure that you are meeting the needs of your customers.
Furthermore, when customers feel heard and valued, they are more likely to become loyal brand advocates. By taking the time to listen to their feedback and make improvements, you demonstrate that you are committed to providing the best possible experience for your customers. This can lead to increased positive reviews, word-of-mouth referrals, and even repeat business.
Build trust
In a world where customers have countless options at their fingertips, it’s important to show that your small business is invested in their satisfaction. By actively seeking out customer feedback, you demonstrate that you value their input and want to create the best experience possible for them. This not only helps build trust and loyalty, but it can also attract new customers who are looking for businesses that prioritise customer satisfaction. And, let’s face it, in the age of social media and online reviews, word of mouth can make or break a business.
By taking customer feedback seriously and implementing changes based on their suggestions, you can create a positive reputation for your small business and stand out in a crowded market. Ultimately, customer feedback is a powerful tool that can help you create a culture of customer-centricity, drive growth, and establish your business as a leader in your industry.
Stay ahead of the competition
In today’s fast-paced business world, staying ahead of the competition is more important than ever. Customer feedback can give you a unique edge in this regard, as it can provide valuable insights into what your customers want and need. By actively seeking out customer feedback, you can gain a deeper understanding of your customers’ preferences, pain points, and expectations. This knowledge can be leveraged to make strategic changes to your business that set you apart from your competitors.
For instance, if your customers consistently provide feedback about a particular feature that they would like to see in your product or service, you can work to implement it before your competitors do. This can give you a first-mover advantage and help you capture a larger market share. Additionally, by addressing common customer complaints, you can improve your brand reputation and win over customers who may have had a negative experience with your competitors. In short, listening to customer feedback can help you stay ahead of the curve and thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.
Drive innovation
Finally, customer feedback can help drive innovation in your small business. When you listen to your customers and take their feedback into account, you gain valuable insights into their needs and preferences. These insights can help you identify new trends and opportunities that you may not have otherwise considered, and provide you with the inspiration and motivation to create new products or services that meet the changing needs of your customers.
Innovation is crucial for small businesses to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving market. By utilising customer feedback to drive innovation, you can create unique and compelling offerings that stand out from the crowd and attract new customers. Additionally, by staying ahead of the curve and meeting the changing needs of your customers, you can build a strong reputation as a forward-thinking and customer-centric business.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, customer feedback is a powerful tool that can help small businesses improve their marketing efforts and stay ahead of the competition. It provides valuable insights into areas where your business is succeeding and where improvements can be made, which in turn can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Ultimately, customer feedback is an essential component of any successful small business marketing strategy, and should be a priority for any business looking to grow and thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace.
Discover the power of digital marketing today with Done Digital. Visit our website to learn more about how we can help your business succeed online!
https://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ox6sw103ktm.jpg10681600Kryzel Fernandezhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngKryzel Fernandez2023-05-01 15:38:132023-06-05 15:07:13Unlock the Power of Customer Feedback for Small Business: 5 Reasons Why it Matters
Ask ten business owners what marketing is, and you’ll get ten different answers. Some say it’s advertising, others think it’s social media or word of mouth. The truth is, marketing is all of that and much more.
Here’s how I define it:
“Marketing is everything you do to GAIN and RETAIN customers.”
In other words, marketing isn’t just about running ads or posting on your Facebook page. It’s about everything you do to attract people, convert them into buyers, and keep them coming back. If you’ve watched some of my videos or visited my marketing blog before, you’ve probably heard me talk about the three pillars of business success:
Attract
Convert
Deliver
In this article, I’ll share 30 practical strategies across these three pillars to help you grow your business, increase sales, and save time through smarter marketing.
Attraction – How to attract more potential customers
Attracting new customers fuels growth but it’s also something many business owners struggle with. The following ten strategies will help you consistently attract new potential customers. Try combining several of these in your business for the best results.
1. Have a great website
Your website can be so much more than an online brochure. It’s your digital storefront — a place to build trust and generate leads. Yet, many business websites only talk about the company instead of helping visitors solve their problems. Learn what makes a great site with these examples and review the 17 crucial elements every business website needs to convert visitors into customers.
2. Be on social media
Social media can be a powerful engagement tool — if used strategically. Don’t just create an account; be active. Use social platforms to drive potential customers back to your website (where you’re not competing with cat videos). If consistency is an issue, automate it. Tools now let you plan and post content automatically. Check out my complete guide to automating your social media posts to save time and stay visible effortlessly.
3. Run print ads
Even in a digital world, print ads still have their place. The key is to track your success. Don’t pay for “exposure” — pay for measurable results. Use clear calls-to-action like coupons or trackable URLs so you can calculate your return on investment.
Example: If you spend $300 on an ad that brings in 100 leads, that’s $3 per lead. If three of those leads convert at $200 each, you’ve made $600 — doubling your investment. Even if you just break even, you’re still building a valuable customer list.
4. Run online ads (Google, Facebook, YouTube)
Online ads let you target specific audiences precisely. For example, if you own a beauty salon in Sydney, you could show your ad only to women aged 30–50 in your local area who are interested in beauty services. That’s far more cost-effective than paying for print ads that reach people who may never visit your salon.
Always remember: never invest in advertising that can’t be measured.
5. Partner with other businesses
Business partnerships or joint ventures are one of the fastest and most underused ways to grow. For example, I helped a café with a 10,000-person customer list partner with a local massage business. Together, we sent a $25 gift voucher to every café customer — positioning the café as generous while putting the massage therapist in front of thousands of locals instantly. One email, 10,000 people reached. That’s leverage.
6. Write a blog
Your customers already search online for answers. Blogging positions you as the expert they find first. Think of it like owning real estate online — every article becomes a long-term asset that brings traffic for years. This is what I call Evergreen Marketing. Consider hiring a writer to produce 12 high-quality articles, post them monthly, and promote them across your channels.
7. Optimise your website for search engines (SEO)
SEO isn’t dead — it’s evolved. Today, Google rewards readability, valuable content, and engagement. Focus on writing helpful, well-structured content people actually want to read and share. If you’re on WordPress, use the Yoast SEO plugin to optimise each page.
8. Run a competition or giveaway
Giveaways can quickly grow your list — but only if they attract the right people. Avoid generic prizes like iPads. Offer something directly related to your product or service. If you’re an accountant, for instance, offer a free Xero setup or consultation. Always follow up with non-winners to turn interest into sales.
9. Run a survey or quiz
Surveys and quizzes are great for gathering insights and building your list. Keep them short and focused on what helps you improve your offer. Partner with complementary businesses if you don’t yet have your own audience. For more on this strategy, I recommend Ryan Levesque’s book ASK.
10. Send a press release to media outlets
A great story can get you free publicity worth thousands. Focus on human stories — not self-promotion. For example, instead of “Local roofer launches new website,” write “Local roofer helps the homeless stay dry by donating tents for Christmas.” Journalists love stories that connect emotionally. Download my free press release template to get started.
Now that you know how to attract more people to your business, the next step is turning those visitors into paying customers.
Conversion – How to turn browsers into buyers
Attracting attention is only half the battle. Now it’s time to turn that interest into revenue. The Conversion stage is where relationships begin to form and browsers become buyers. This is where your communication, offers, and systems come together to guide people toward a confident “yes.”
These ten strategies will help you create stronger connections, build trust, and convert more leads into loyal customers, without feeling pushy or salesy.
11. Create a lead magnet
A lead magnet is a valuable free offer that attracts your ideal customers — a discount, checklist, eBook, video, or free trial. It should solve a small but meaningful problem and serve as the first step in your customer’s transformation.
12. Use email automation to educate and engage with your audience
Email is still one of the most profitable marketing tools — especially when automated. Set up a series of emails that guide subscribers through a journey: answering FAQs, sharing testimonials, and offering helpful insights before presenting your offer. This keeps you top of mind and moves people closer to buying — automatically.
13. Use a chatbot to help people find what they need faster
Chatbots streamline customer support and sales. They can answer common questions, share your location or pricing, or direct users to your booking page — all while you focus on other things. Tools like Chatfuel and ManyChat integrate seamlessly with social media and websites, helping you provide fast, friendly service 24/7.
14. Create a strong offer people can’t refuse
Sometimes success comes down to packaging. McDonald’s skyrocketed profits by turning individual items into value meals and asking, “Would you like fries with that?” Look for ways to add perceived value — bundles, bonuses, or upgrades — without drastically raising your price.
15. Run retargeting ads
Retargeting ads allow you to follow up with people who already interacted with your brand. For example, show ads only to those who visited your site or watched your webinar. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to increase conversions because you’re marketing to people who already know you.
16. Find a way to help more people
Ask yourself: “If I had to help 10 times more people than I do now, how would I do it?” Maybe that means shifting from one-on-one to one-to-many models or creating a DIY version of your service. Thinking bigger helps you identify bottlenecks and opportunities for growth.
17. Run ‘limited-time only’ offers
Limited-time offers create urgency and excitement. Test small product batches or temporary services to gauge interest. For instance, a café could offer a special seasonal drink and track how it performs before adding it permanently to the menu.
18. Be easy to do business with
Make it simple for customers to buy from you. Offer multiple payment methods, clear communication options (phone, text, email, social), and frictionless booking or checkout processes. The easier it is, the more people will say “yes.”
19. Get to know your customers better
Never assume you know what your customers want. Ask, listen, and adapt. Understanding their true motivations builds deeper trust and longer-lasting relationships. Sometimes the best sale you can make is recommending something they need before yours.
20. Make sure your website has all the right elements
Your website should do more than “exist.” A great site builds authority, generates leads, answers questions, and converts visitors into buyers. Think of it as your online headquarters — a place where every piece of your marketing connects.
So, you’ve made the sale — congratulations! But marketing doesn’t stop there. What happens next determines whether customers stay for life or disappear after one purchase.
Delivery – How to grow your business during and after the sale
The moment a customer buys from you, a new stage of marketing begins. The Delivery phase is where you turn promises into experiences and customers into raving fans. It’s about delighting people, building loyalty, and inspiring them to come back, maybe even bring their friends.
These final ten strategies will help you strengthen relationships, increase repeat business, and grow through exceptional service and genuine connection.
21. Provide great customer service
Exceptional service creates loyal customers and positive word of mouth. When people feel genuinely cared for, they not only come back — they tell others. Great service is your most underrated marketing channel.
22. Ensure people only buy what they need
Selling the wrong product to the wrong customer hurts your reputation and long-term profits. Focus on fit, not just sales. Honesty builds trust and referrals — the foundation of any sustainable business.
23. Offer high-quality products and services
Marketing brings customers in, but quality keeps them. Review your products regularly, collect feedback, and fix issues fast. The goal? Create experiences so good that people can’t help but tell others about you.
24. Overdeliver and exceed expectations
Surprise your customers with something extra — a handwritten note, bonus content, or unexpected follow-up. These small gestures build emotional connection and turn happy customers into lifelong advocates.
25. Follow up after the sale
Don’t stop communicating once the money changes hands. A simple follow-up email asking, “How are you enjoying your purchase?” shows you care. It also opens doors for feedback, testimonials, and future sales.
26. Invite customers to leave reviews
Positive reviews are today’s word of mouth. Ask for them proactively and make it easy with direct links to Google, Facebook, or TripAdvisor. If you get a negative review, respond with professionalism and empathy. How you handle criticism can actually boost your reputation.
27. Add customer testimonials to your website
Testimonials are social proof in action. Feature them on your homepage, sales pages, and contact page. When possible, include video testimonials — they’re authentic, persuasive, and hard to ignore.
28. Send a thank-you note
Whether it’s a quick email, a handwritten card, or a small gift, gratitude goes a long way. A simple “thank you” turns transactions into relationships and shows customers you truly value their business.
29. Offer upsells and cross-sells
Existing customers are the easiest to sell to. Offer relevant upgrades (upsells) or complementary products (cross-sells) that enhance their experience. When done thoughtfully, these offers feel helpful, not pushy.
30. Consider offering a subscription or membership
Recurring revenue adds stability to your business. From VIP memberships to maintenance plans or exclusive access communities, subscriptions deepen relationships and create predictable income while rewarding your most loyal customers.
Marketing doesn’t have to feel complicated or time-consuming. When you focus on the three pillars — Attract, Convert, and Deliver — everything you do starts working together. Build systems that attract customers automatically, convert them authentically, and deliver experiences that make them stay.
https://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/04x1yp9hnh8.jpg10671600David Lee-Schneiderhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngDavid Lee-Schneider2019-07-25 10:15:082025-10-08 01:42:31How To Do Marketing – 30 Ways To Grow Your Business
Marketing is a bit of a mystery for many small business owners. After all, most of us didn’t go into business to market and sell, but to do whatever we are great at and love doing.
But when we break it down, marketing really isn’t such an overly complicated thing. There are very specific steps you can follow to implement a successful marketing strategy in your business and set yourself up for success. More specifically, there are four pieces to the marketing puzzle.
The big marketing mistake
Most business owners make the mistake to try and “close” people before they are ready to buy. You can see this reflected in most advertising. Whether that’s on TV, on the radio, in magazines or online ads, the message is pretty much always “buy our product now!”.
But before someone is ready to do business with you, we should consider a couple of other steps and implement a system that helps us to turn strangers into visitors, visitors into leads and leads into customers.
Free Download: The 4 stages of a complete inbound marketing strategy
Let me explain each stage in a little more detail.
1. Attract
First of all, every business needs the ability to continuously attract new potential customers. No customer, no business. It’s pretty self-explanatory. We need to have visitors before we can have customers — whether that’s online or in-store.
Ways to increase traffic and get more visitors
Have a great website
Share valuable and relevant information on your blog
Search Engine Optimisation to attract organic traffic
Engaging Social Media Content (with the goal to drive people back to your website/blog)
Paid advertising (i.e. Facebook ads, Google ads, print ads, TV ads, radio ads etc.)
Joint Ventures (partnering with complementary businesses to help each other grow)
2. Convert
Secondly, we need to be able to somehow “capture” these potential customers, so that we can reach out to them again to build a relationship with them. This is where we talk about leads. People who have given us permission to contact them, but haven’t bought from us yet.
Ways to convert visitors into leads
Offer a free download (i.e. e-book, checklist, cheat sheet, discount voucher, video etc.)
Use optimised landing pages to increase your conversion rate
Split-test your free offer to identify the most effective one
Re-targeting ads to past visitors
3. Close
Thirdly, and probably most importantly, we need to be able to turn these leads into actual customers. Because all the visitors and leads in the world won’t help if we can’t get them to buy our product or service.
Ways to turn leads into customers
Use automated email sequences to nurture your leads and help them with their buying decision
Keep educating your leads to increase their understanding and awareness
Send out irresistible offers that will get people to take action
Use multiple channels to initiate a conversation with prospects
Re-targeting ads designed to move your leads closer to the purchase
Now, this is where most businesses stop. But there’s one more crucial step that makes your marketing strategy so much more effective.
4. Delight
Would your customers buy from you again? This is an important question that you should be able to confidently answer with a big fat “yes”. You want to wow your customers and aim to over-deliver, so that the great customer experience you deliver will be reflected in customer reviews, repeat business and word-of-mouth.
Ways to turn customers into advocates
Deliver a great and consistent customer experience
Aim to over-deliver and surprise your customers
Collect feedback to constantly improve your product or service
Invite those who gave great feedback to leave reviews on Google, Facebook or TripAdvisor
Showcase customer testimonials on your website and social media channels
This fourth step will close the cycle and, in turn, generate even more organic traffic, leads and customers, ultimately helping you to grow your business perpetually.
With these four elements in place, you will have built a strong marketing foundation that will allow you to take your business to new heights and maximise your return on every marketing activity in your business.
In essence, there are only three ways to increase your sales:
Increase the number of customers
Increase your customers’ purchase frequency, and
Increase your average transaction value
However, there are a number of not so obvious ways to grow your business and increase profitability. Here are four ideas to help you scale without putting the focus on sales. Ready? Then let’s dive in!
1. Automate processes to increase efficiency and reduce cost
Today, there are thousands of tools out there to help you automate repetitive business processes. Simply automating a few things can help you significantly reduce wages and free up valuable time. When looking for ways to grow our business, we often overlook areas that don’t directly contribute to your profit. Here are a few things you can automate quickly and easily that could put money back in your pocket.
Tools like Zapier and Make can help you connect various services and software platforms to make processes even more efficient.
Some examples:
When you have a new lead -> automatically add a contact to a list in your email marketing software -> then send a follow-up sequence until they take the desired action
After a customer makes a purchase for the second time -> send them an invitation to write a Google review
When a purchase is made on your website -> automatically raise an invoice in Xero to match with the imported trasnaction
These are just some basic examples, but the possibilities are endless, and so is the time you will safe by automating these tasks!
2. Launch a re-targeting ad campaign
Many business owners already use ads to attract new customers and generate new business. However, if you only run direct ads, you are missing out on a huge chunk of potential customers by ignoring this simple strategy. Re-targeting ads are a powerful tool that allows you to show specific ads to people who have already interacted with your content in the past, adding continuity to your customer experience and significantly increasing the chances of turning them into customers.
Se if you can offer them something of value in relation to certain pages or blog posts they have visited on your website.
Example: A yoga studio might show a re-targeting ad for a free yoga pass to people in their area who have read blog posts on the benefits of yoga on their website. When people see the ad, they can enter their email address to claim the free yoga pass and automatically be subscribed to an evergreen campaign. (See next point)
3. Stop focusing on once-off promos and develop an “evergreen” marketing strategy instead
The majority of business owners think of marketing and promotions in terms of once-off activities. It might look something like this:
January -> Promotion #1
February -> Promotion #2
March -> Promotion #3
While this might work well, it also requires you to constantly come up with new promotions, which can be exhausting and feel like you’re never quite catching up.
Instead, focus on implementing an evergreen marketing strategy that sends new leads or customers a series of pre-designed offers from the moment they join your list. Then keep adding new offers to that sequence. Over time, this strategy allows you to develop a marketing machine that continuously produces sales without ever having to worry about what your next promotion is going to be. You just need to make sure that offers in that sequence are timeless and not seasonal.
All you need is a good email automation tool, like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign, and there are many more options available.
4. Make Partnerships evergreen, too
Partnerships and joint ventures with other businesses that complement yours is a powerful strategy. You might have already partnered with another business in the past to run a one-off campaign promoting your products or services. Maybe you’ve asked the other business to hand out vouchers to all their customers.
See if you can turn this strategy into an evergreen campaign, too, like in the previous example. Look for businesses that already have an evergreen funnel and see if they are happy to plug your offer right into it, while you can do the same for them.
Example: One of my clients owns a massage clinic, while another owned a yoga studio. I got both of them to add an email to their existing evergreen sequences promoting the other business. Now, everyone who receives a massage at the massage clinic also receives a complimentary gift card for a yoga class, while everyone who joins the yoga studio receives a voucher for a massage a a few weeks later.
It’s a win-win and once implemented, this strategy will continue to work for years to come.
There you have it. Four (not so obvious) ways to grow your business. All four strategies are what I call “set and forget” strategies that you only have to set up once and will benefit from forever.
Have you automated any processes in your business? What marketing strategies have worked well for you? Let me know in the comments below!
00David Lee-Schneiderhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngDavid Lee-Schneider2019-01-07 18:54:222023-01-07 23:08:114 Smart (Not So Obvious) Ways To Grow Your Business
The biggest challenge most of my clients face is knowing what to focus on in their marketing. It can be incredibly overwhelming with all the different options and tools out there – social media platforms, advertising platforms (print and digital), search engines, autoresponders, tech tools, productivity tools – the list goes on and on. How do we know what’s right for us, and at the stage, we’re currently in?
The big mistake many business owners make is that they focus on lead generation BEFORE getting their conversions right, only to realise that they’re spending way too much money and time on marketing without getting the results they’re after.
In my 90-Day Marketing Transformation, we follow a clear marketing roadmap to help you focus on your marketing activities in the right order, so you can maximise results while minimising cost and effort. It’s divided into three pillars.
ATTRACTION
CONVERSION
AMPLIFICATION
The order in which you focus on your marketing activities is crucial. As you will agree, it doesn’t make sense to launch an ad campaign (amplification pillar) before knowing that you can actually convert these people. It would be like increasing the amount of fuel you pour into a car that only has 2 wheels. More fuel won’t make it go any faster unless you have a working vehicle.
The Marketing Roadmap – 3 Ways To Grow Your Business in 2025
First things first. Most business owners would like to jump straight in and throw money at ads (either print or online) before having laid a solid marketing foundation. You wouldn’t start building a house before having a solid plan and foundation to build on. In the same way, you need to address your marketing activities in the right order. Here are 3 things you need to focus on BEFORE spending a single cent on advertising or other costly marketing activities.
1. Create a Lead Magnet
A lead magnet is a tool to help you build a list of potential customers. It’s something of value to your target audience that you can send them for free but in return for their name and email address. This is a crucial part of any marketing strategy and should be the very first thing to decide on, as it gives people a way to connect with your business even before they’re ready to buy. Here are some examples of lead magnets you could use in your business.
Free guide or ebook
Free video or tutorial
Discount code or value voucher
Free checklist or time-saving template
Free report with information that’s highly relevant to your customers
I – for example – offer a free 17-point website checklist, as that is something most of my clients struggle with. You may also find these free downloads helpful as examples for strategic lead magnets.
2. CRM & Email Automation
Once you decided on your lead magnet, the second step is to choose a CRM (Customer Relationship Management Software) and an email marketing provider that you will use to build your list. Some CRM’s already have email automation built-in. There are loads of options out there, some very basic and some with more advanced marketing automation features that you probably won’t need at the start. The important thing is to just get started.
When starting out, a free service like Mailchimp may suffice (they offer a free plan until you reach a certain number of subscribers). Here are two options that I personally recommend for small businesses and which I have used myself.
Once a potential customer opted in for your free lead magnet, what are the next steps you want them to take? What information will they be looking for before they are ready to become your customer? It’s important not to treat every person as if they are ready to buy from you right now. Instead, focus on building a relationship with them first, so that when they are ready to buy your product or service, your business becomes their natural first choice.
Here’s what that customer journey looks like in one of my other businesses (a yoga studio).
Step 1: Claim a FREE Yoga Pass
Step 2: Send Introductory Offer
Step 3: Upgrade to 10-Class Pass or Membership
Step 5: Offer Workshops & Retreats
For most people, it’s too much of a stretch to go from never having tried yoga before to committing to a membership or a yoga retreat. But a free yoga pass will help them get started and move towards that goal.
This is a natural progression that eases people into their journey of becoming long-term customers, slowly moving them from free to higher-priced products. Timing is a crucial element in marketing. Make sure that the messages you send people are relevant to the stage they’re currently in. This can be automated using email automation software (see the previous point) or using a messaging bot.
The key is – always focus on educating and connecting with your customers more than you focus on selling.
00David Lee-Schneiderhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngDavid Lee-Schneider2019-01-04 23:12:212019-01-04 23:12:213 Things Your Business Needs BEFORE Spending A Single Cent On Ads
Today, it’s easier than ever to collect vast amounts of data in our business. There are many low-cost POS (point of sale) systems out there with some fantastic reporting features that you can take advantage of to help you grow your business and make better management decisions.
And if you think data and metrics are boring, I want to encourage you to reconsider. Because once we know what to look for, these numbers can become very exciting!
For small business owners, every dollar counts, which is why it’s so important to track our progress and keep an eye on various metrics. Of course, there are countless metrics we can measure, some more important than others depending on the type of business you are operating.
But let’s keep it simple for now with these three metrics that have the power to completely transform your business. If you know you could do better when it comes to numbers, they will provide a great starting point.
Average Transaction Value (ATV)
The average transaction value (ATV) is pretty self-explanatory. It gives you the average of how much your customers spent per transaction on average. Simply by focusing on increasing our ATV, we can change the entire course of our business.
How to calculate Average Transaction Value
Simply divide your total sales on any given day by the total number of transactions on the same day.
Upsells (“Would you like to make that a large?”) and
Cross-sells (“Would you like a camera bag to protect your new camera?”
No matter what business you’re in, there is always something extra you can offer your customers. Let’s take the above example and assume we trade for 340 days per year. If we increased our ATV by just 5% (i.e. by $2.50), our daily turnover would go from $5000 to $5250.
Doesn’t sound like much, right? Well, by the end of 340 trading days, we would have increased our turnover by $85,000. Not a bad result with a few upsells.
What upsells, cross-sells and package deals could you offer in your business?
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
The Customer Lifetime Value indicates how much the average customer is worth to our business over the course of their patronage. It’s a simple metric with big implications and one that’s often overlooked by small business owners.
Knowing the lifetime value of a customer is a crucial part of understanding how much is reasonable to spend on acquiring a new customer. Measuring CLV is also a good way to determine whether your business is taking full advantage of its customer relationships.
In many, if not most cases, it costs less money to increase revenue from existing customers than it does to acquire new ones. Still, most business owners are more focused on acquisition than retention.
How to calculate Customer Lifetime Value
CLV = Average Transaction Value * Customer Frequency * Average Customer Lifespan
Example: $50 Average Transaction Value * 1 purchase per month * 12 months average retention = $600 CLV
Your CLV will determine how much we can afford to spend on acquiring a new customer and subsequently, which marketing channels make sense for our business.
How much is a customer worth to you? How much do they spend each time? How often do they visit? And how long do they stay your customer? Improving each of these 3 variables will have a huge impact on your bottom line.
Cost of Customer Acquisition (CAC)
What does it cost you to acquire a new customer? While the importance of knowing the cost of acquiring a new customer is obvious, surprisingly a lot of business owners don’t pay as much attention to this metric as you’d expect them to. Keeping customer acquisition costs top of mind can benefit your business in numerous ways.
For starters, many companies spend more than they estimate on customer acquisition, and in many cases, they continue to invest in marketing channels that make little sense given the lifetime value of their customers.
How to calculate Cost of Customer Acquisition
CAC = Total Ad Spend / Number of New Customers
Example: $500 Facebook Ad Spend / 50 New Customers = $10
If our Customer Lifetime Value is $600, it makes sense to spend $10 to acquire a new customer. However, if our CLV would only be $20 we might need to look for a new strategy to acquire new customers or first focus on increasing your Average Transaction Value, Purchase Frequency and Retention Rate.
What metrics have you tracked that have helped you grow your business and make better decisions in your marketing?
00David Lee-Schneiderhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngDavid Lee-Schneider2019-01-03 13:51:212019-01-03 13:51:213 Simple Metrics With The Power To Transform Your Business (And How To Track Them)
If you’re anything like me, you probably love books! A great book can offer us a glimpse into the vast knowledge and experience of an expert in any field we choose to deepen our understanding, and we often learn a lot about ourselves while exploring new topics.
If you’ve met me before, you may have seen me with headphones glued to my ears. I listen to audiobooks pretty much everywhere I go, always looking for little nuggets that have the power to transform my thinking. I firmly believe, when we upgrade our thinking, we also upgrade our lives as a result.
Whatever it is you’re looking to improve – whether it’s your business skills, personal development or increasing your emotional intelligence, this list of timeless must-reads is for you.
So, here they are, my all-time favourite audiobooks (in no particular order) that I personally love and which I have recommended on many occasions. Enjoy!
5 Insanely Valuable Audiobooks For Guaranteed Business & Personal Growth
This was one of the first-ever self-development books I read in my life. It surely has transformed my thinking and my views on life. I must say, for this particular one, I preferred the hard copy book over the audiobook. It’s got some great tools and exercises to help you redefine your life and to go outside your comfort zone and push your limits. It’s definitely at the top of my personal favourites.
iTunes Description: If your dream is escaping the rat race, high-end world travel, monthly five-figure income with zero management or just living more and working less then this audiobook is the blueprint. Forget your tired, old retirement concepts and throw out that deferred-life plan – there’s no need to wait and every reason not to. You can have it all! This audiobook is the compass for a new and revolutionary world. Start living now!
Beautifully narrated and creatively brought to life, this audiobook is both, informative and entertaining. The information herein will be life-changing if one can grasp the essence of it. I have gifted this book to many people and listen to it again every few months to remind myself about the great lessons in it. Highly recommend this version of the book, as it’s easy to listen to in about an hour without losing its essence (the original version of The Richest Man in Babylon goes for a few hours).
iTunes Description: These two parables – one ancient, one modern – contain time-tested secrets that will put you on the road to happiness and prosperity. They offer simple, yet powerful truths about the challenges we all face, and must overcome on the road to success. The Richest Man in Babylon: George Clason’s motivational classic story of Arkad, a man of humble origins who became the richest man in Babylon. In dialogue with his fellow citizens, he reveals the attitudes and behaviour that brought him wealth and happiness. The Magic Story: What turns a loser into a winner? Jay, a down-on-his-luck writer, sees his once struggling friend Sturtevant transformed into a man of supreme confidence and achievement. How did his friend do it?
During a time when I could barely get out of bed in the morning, this book has helped me to redefine my purpose and given me new motivation. It teaches why we feel certain emotions, the biochemical processes behind the reason for why we subconsciously decide to put ourselves into a negative state and how to break this crushing habit of self-sabotage and depression. This is a book I would recommend to everyone, as it deals with the underlying thought processes and behaviours that determine our emotional state, and ultimately our actions.
iTunes Description: You are not doomed by your genes and hardwired to be a certain way for the rest of your life. New science is emerging that empowers all human beings to create the reality they choose. In Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, renowned author, speaker, researcher, and chiropractor Dr Joe Dispenza combines the fields of quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, biology, and genetics to show you what is truly possible. Not only will you be given the necessary knowledge to change any aspect of yourself, but you will be taught the step-by-step tools to apply what you learn in order to make measurable changes in any area of your life. Dr Joe demystifies ancient understandings and bridges the gap between science and spirituality. Through his powerful workshops and lectures, thousands of people in 24 different countries have used these principles to change from the inside out. Once you break the habit of being yourself and truly change your mind, your life will never be the same! This audiobook comes with bonus downloadable content. Please go to www.drjoedispenza.com/bhby to download this material.
Hal Elrod’s philosophy is simple. The way you start your morning, determines how your day pans out, and ultimately, your life. This might sound overly simplistic, but this book has the power to transform your life into a miracle. It clearly shows how important it is to proactively design your life and create habits and rituals that support us in our journey to fulfilling our true potential. The Miracle Morning gives you a clear road map, as well as the specific tools to do just that.
iTunes Description: What if you could miraculously wake up tomorrow and any – or every area of your life was transformed? What would be different? Would you be happier? Healthier? More successful? In better shape? Would you have more energy? Less Stress? More Money? Better relationships? Which of your problems would be solved? What if I told you that there is a “not-so-obvious” secret that is guaranteed to transform any – or literally every area of your life, faster than you ever thought possible? What if I told you it would only take 6 minutes a day? Enter The Miracle Morning. What’s now being practised by thousands of people around the world could perhaps be the simplest approach to creating the life you’ve always wanted. It’s been right there in front of us, but this audiobook has finally brought it to life. Are you ready? The next chapter of your life – the most extraordinary life you’ve ever imagined – is about to begin. You deserve an extraordinary life. It’s time to wake up to your full potential.
Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of those books that you can read again and again, and each time learns new things you didn’t pick up previously. This book is full of incredible life lessons that are guaranteed to enrich your personal relationships, in business and personal life. I have read this book four times and will be reading it many more. Highly recommended. This version of the book is a condensed one and also includes the sequel by the same author, The 8th Habit.
iTunes Description: This new audio set is a very special abridgement of two of Stephen R. Covey’s best-selling business books, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit, read by Dr Covey himself. We’ve condensed the content of two entire books into just three hours of audio, but you’ll still enjoy Dr Covey’s lessons on powerful personal change and how to incorporate his ideas into your life to fulfil your ultimate potential.
00David Lee-Schneiderhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngDavid Lee-Schneider2018-12-27 08:57:522023-11-26 20:44:305 Audiobooks For Business & Personal Growth That Will Change Your Life Forever
No matter the size of your business, I believe we can all agree that not having a website in this day and age is no longer an option. However, not all websites are created equal. A well-designed website will not only look great but should help you capture leads, increase sales and help leverage your time and other resources.
Many small business owners treat their website somewhat like an online brochure with a contact form attached. But it’s the ability to capture leads and predictably turn them into customers that sets a great website apart. And in order to achieve this, we require three things:
Great Content
The content on your website is a crucial element. Providing your visitors with engaging content that captivates, educates and encourages them to take action is a vital part of any good business website. Make the content about your readers, not your business and ensure the jargon and tone of voice you use are consistent and in line with your brand. The goal is not to brag about your business but to truly connect with potential buyers and understand their needs and wants.
Great Design
The “look and feel” of your website says a lot about your business and leaves a lasting impression. It’s also often the first contact your customers have with your business. A lack of consistency and poor layout will result in visitors leaving your website before you even had a chance to tell them what your business is all about. Great design means, your customers can easily navigate your website and find what they’re looking for without getting lost (or frustrated). Again, make sure the colours and fonts you use are in line with your branding. A well-designed website will help you build trust with potential customers and convert better as a result.
A Great Offer
This might be the most important part of any website that most business owners (and even web designers) often overlook. I’m not speaking about your actual product or service offering. What I mean is an offer targeted at your IDEAL CUSTOMERS with the aim to collect their contact details and/or other relevant data. In marketing, we refer to this as “Lead Magnet“. Not everyone who comes across your website for the first time is ready to buy from you. By giving them an opportunity to opt-in for a free download or trial of some sort you can reach out to them multiple times (using email marketing or retargeting ads, for instance) which will significantly increase your chances of making a sale further down the line.
The main goal of every good website should be to build your list.
3 Websites of Local Small Businesses Designed for Growth
Here are three small business websites I designed for local businesses where we have incorporated all three aspects mentioned above. They also make some great examples for when you are ready to give your business’ website a facelift or need help designing one from scratch.
1. Turtle Town Scuba
Turtle Town Scuba is a local scuba diving school in Bundaberg that has built its following using a great online strategy. The website is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. The home page is laid out in a way that allows visitors to easily find what they’re looking for, see the range of diving courses, learn about the instructors and learn more about diving in the Bundaberg Region through featured blog posts. Without being intrusive, the $25 gift card offer makes it easy for new visitors to leave their details and stay connected to the business before leaving the website.
The website of Bundaberg Health Foods conveys a clear message, both in terms of content and branding. Users can easily navigate through the different sections of the website, finding what they are looking for quickly and without getting lost or overwhelmed. The website is designed to be completely mobile friendly and displays beautifully across all devices and browsers. A popup captures visitors’ attention and offers them a $10 health food voucher in return for their email address – a fast way to build a loyal following. As an e-commerce business with over 4000 products, we needed to find a way to make product management easy. We integrated with the in-store POS Vend, so that product descriptions and stock levels are always in sync.
One of the biggest mistakes most business owners make is that they ask for the sale too early. The website of Holistic Therapies is designed to educate visitors and offer locals a massage voucher as an incentive to trial the service. I have found that this strategy combined with a good follow-up email sequence can consistently deliver fantastic conversion rates and drive sales. The various articles on the blog assist in answering questions customers have and educate them about the many benefits of massage therapy.
If you would like help with the development and implementation of a sound marketing strategy for your business, let’s have a chat! Book a free strategy call to discuss your business and marketing goals.
00David Lee-Schneiderhttps://donedigital.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/done-digital-marketing-brisbane-logo-white-1030x175.pngDavid Lee-Schneider2018-10-02 03:08:082018-10-02 03:08:083 Great Examples of Small Business Websites Designed For BIG Impact
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