How to Get Customers to Flock to Your Home-Based Business

1.Set e-mail auto-responders. Use your e-mail to send automated
responses. Create a "thanks for requesting information message"
to be sent to anyone who sends mail to your 'contact us' account
from your web-page.

2.Create Frequently Answered Questions document and post it on your website. Direct all new inquiries to your website for more
information about your service. Answer the questions your best
customers have - and make it easy for them to find the answers
they need.

3.Use your e-mail effectively. Create a signature line that
clearly states your name, business, and way to reach you,
website and an info-teaser about what you do. With an easy-link
to your website, you have no idea who else may be reaching you.
Keep this on EVERY e-mail you send.

4.Create an e-zine. Your e-zine should provide information that
your target clients can use. Make it interesting and
'forward-worthy.' Encourage your subscribers to send your e-zine
to their friends and colleagues.

5.Use the articles you write for your e-zine to submit to other
on-line e-zines and publishers. You can request a list of
potential sites for your article submission by e-mailing
info@petcareuniversity.com.

6.Business Cards. Post your business card where your target
clients will see it. You can have your business cards printed by
the local printer or you can use an on-line site, such as
vistaprint.com.but once you have your cards make sure they stay
consistent - changing your card design on vistaprint is fun, but
it dilutes YOUR brand.

BONUS TIP: When networking, be specific about what a GOOD lead
is for your company. It cuts down on getting lots of calls from
people who you can't help, and it helps others to help you!

7.When asked what you do, be clear and concise. Make sure you
focus on the benefit you bring to your customers, instead of
"I'm a freelance writer," how about, "I help businesses increase
their bottom line by writing killer copy for their direct mail
campaigns ." Don't be shy and be sure everyone who meets you
knows what your business is.

8.Present yourself as a business professional at all times. Even
though you work at home, be sure you always present your most
professional self on the phone, in correspondence and when you
go out to run errands (you never know who you will run into as
you fill up your car!). Be articulate and polite in your
dealings with everyone you meet.

9.Be consistent. In your branding, your tag lines, and the
service you deliver. Your customers expect the same thing every
time they work with you. Your website and voicemail are great
ways to build your brand consistency. Use the same colors, logos
and tone in everything you do.

10.Treat your current customers like they pay for your mortgage,
car and insurance. They do. Make sure they understand how much
you appreciate them by consistently delivering outstanding
service and taking the time to listen to their calls and
concerns. In essence, treat them better than you want to be
treated yourself.

11.Track what you do. Create a spreadsheet that allows you to
note what activity you have done to market your business and to
tabulate the results. Then make sure you cultivate the areas
that are working for you.

12.Ask your clients to write testimonials for you. Your current
clients are your biggest fans, so ask them if they would write
you a letter describing the benefit you provide them. Once you
have the testimonial use it on your one-page fact sheet, in your
marketing materials and on your website. Make sure to get your
clients' permission to use their name and contact information in
case potential clients want to ask them specific questions.

13.Answer all requests in 24 hours or less. When a potential
client calls to find out about your service, chances are better
than good that they need service soon. The chances that they are
going to sit by the phone waiting for your return call are slim
- so make sure you are the first business to call them back.
Respond even sooner to e-mail requests.

14.Call people back and respond to e-mail even if you don't
provide the type of service they request. Good manners translate
as good business. By providing leads to companies that can help
them - these 'non-clients' can become your fans and will
recommend you to others.

For samples of the FAQs, Spreadsheets, testimonial requests and
benefit statements, email peggie@petcareuniversity.com and
request more info on the Marketing Guide for Pet-Sitters.

About the author:
Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the founder of Pet Care Business
University and the Pet-Care Business Success SystemT. She is the
author of the "Maintain your Love Affair with Your Pet" Series
and several articles on finding and maintaining happy customers
for pet-care businesses. As a trainer and coach she has helped
people across the country create and build the pet-care business
of their dreams. Visit http://www.peggiespets.comfor more
information

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