Increase the number of new customers coming into your store. You'll always need to do advertising to capture the interest of new customers, but complement it with programs to increase the business of your existing customers such as direct mail and bounce back coupons, and programs to increase your ACT such as point of purchase displays and bundling items together. Your mailing list is a powerful tool for generating more business from your existing customer base. Notify customers of special events, new items, sales, and changes in your business. Collect customer names from checks, receipts, or put a fish bowl in your store for weekly drawings.
Newsletters are a good way to keep in touch with customers.
Issue Press Releases Keep in touch with your community by issuing press releases about your business to newspapers and radio stations. Classified Ads Classified ads get some of the best readership and they are inexpensive. If you have a limited budget, opt for multiple runs in the classified section rather than one or two runs of a larger ad. Run a classified ad that offers a free brochure on a topic related to your business. Then when the customer calls or writes for that brochure, you can include a detailed sales pitch about your company.