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“You Can’t Do TODAY’S Work With YESTERDAY’S Machines … If You Expect To Be In Business TOMORROW”Years ago, Salt Lake City’s Wheeler Machinery used an ancient snowplow to convey an important message. Once a piece of “state of the art” machinery, the heavy tractor and massive blade were clearly past their prime. A message painted on the blade of the once mighty vehicle reminded passers-by, “You can’t do TODAY’S work with YESTERDAY’S machines … if you expect to be in business TOMORROW.”
No matter what business you’re in, this is good advice. Especially if you own a small business. You probably need every competitive advantage you can get, and wise use of the Internet can give you several advantages. Here are some facts to consider.
A recent IDC study reveals that, from 1999 to 2003, small business revenue generated from Internet activities is expected to grow almost 450%, from $20+ billion to $110+ billion. While numbers with that many zeros may tempt you to roll your eyes and forget it all together, please don’t. Instead, find a way to capitalize on this great opportunity. Start using the Internet now. It is an economical, powerful tool for growing your business.
Think of the Internet as a cheaper way to do things you are already doing, like direct mail advertising. The goal of direct mail is to add customers, or get repeat business, right? Well …
Restaurant: Ask your customers if they would like to get ½ off on selected meals the next time they come in. Send them to your website. Have them register (which means they’ll fill out a form--you now have their name, e-mail address, and permission to market to them). In exchange, you e-mail them a ½ off coupon they can use the next time they come in.
Dry Cleaner: Ask customers if they would like to have one shirt laundered and pressed for free. Follow the same procedure, and send them a coupon.
In each of these cases, you’ll start to develop a list of people you can market to. Pretty soon, you’ll have hundreds or even thousands of people to communicate with directly, and at no appreciable cost.
These are just a couple of examples of how to use today’s tool, the Internet, so that your business will continue to be successful and flourish tomorrow.
We’ll talk more about what to look for when you select your small business hosting service next week. If you want to get a head start on your competitors, call Pacific WebWorks between 8-5 MT for the KSL Preferred Customer Offer at 801-578-9020, Dept K-100.
Have Internet questions or topics you would like answered or covered in upcoming articles? Drop me a line at jwj@pacificwebworks.com
Thanks for the cooperation of our friends at Wheeler Machinery in Salt Lake City.
Call us today at:
801-578-9020or visit us online at
www.visualwebtools.com
