By: Mark Cerminaro
Whether you feel that your business would benefit from becoming a little more organized, focusing more on customer service or creating a structured marketing plan, 2019 is the time to start fresh and make it happen.
While you may have a number of changes or upgrades on your list of resolutions for this year, there are a few that all businesses can consider making to get a leg up on the competition, expand their consumer base and improve sales. Add these resolutions to your game plan for 2019:
Start using apps that work for you
If you think that your small business needs to focus on improving organization, try downloading effective mobile applications that make life easier for you and your staff. You can use Hootsuite to simplify your process for updating all of your social media sites. The app creates a dashboard that helps managing your accounts fast and effortless. You can create posts for Facebook, Instagram and other popular platforms and schedule them for an optimum time later that day or week to reach consumers when they're online.
Another popular business app is CamCard, which makes creating professional relationships simpler by allowing you to scan, manage, sync and exchange business cards. Once you've decided on a resolution, search for an app to get your there — chances are there's one that will match your needs.
Create a blog for your website
Untold businesses today have a blog that's updated frequently to attract consumers and keep existing customers engaged with relevant news and product information. A blog provides the perfect opportunity to promote your social media campaigns and take advantage of keywords for search engine optimization (SEO).
According to a survey by the Content Marketing Institute, around 93 percent of companies in the U.S. rely on blogs and written content to promote their services and products. If you don't have a team that can write daily posts, there are content marketing services available that will do this for you.
Look into getting a loan
Can your company benefit from updated technology, a larger team or outsourcing for tasks like your small business bookkeeping, but you don't have the finances for these investments? Don't rule out these New Year's resolutions just yet. You may be able to get a small business loan to help you afford these expenses. Once you know what you need to apply for your loan, seek out a reliable lender who can provide you with the funding you require to achieve these goals and take the next step forward.
Show customers your appreciation
As you review your success over the past year, it's important to thank your customers for their ongoing support. This appreciation can be shown by offering loyalty discounts or hosting a customer appreciation event that kicks off the new year. Promoting these rewards through social media is a good way to advertise the benefits of being a loyal customer with your business. If you have a large in-store presence, make sure to extend a warm welcome to any frequent customers when they enter. Even surprising them with a handwritten "Thank you" note could go a long way.
It's also important to recognize when a greater focus on customer service and engagement is needed to improve sales. This might mean growing your social media presence and interactions or hiring more customer service representatives.
Regardless of which approach you take, remember that your business relationships with customers can make or break your company's success.
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