The word of mouth. It does help. If you provide good service, people tell people. Not as often as when you provide bad service. Human nature I guess. The point is that people spread the word about your business good or bad. Local businesses can help themselves and other small businesses in their towns, by spreading the word.

Our community websites are asking you the business owner to spread the word about our six community websites. With more and more people using the websites, all area small businesses can benefit. If you'd like to post a flyer or informational brochure for us, let us know. You are paying for our service, so why not let every customer know. You'll also be helping your fellow business owners as well. The key is to keep customers in our local areas. The more shopping or services used in the area the better for your business as well. You are as dependent on surrounding businesses as they are to you. Those  who shop at a local business will see your business. And those who look through our web pages will see you and others in the area as well.

At the bottom of the newsletter are some tips to consider during these tough economic times. One of those deals with partnering with other businesses to increase your sales as well as theirs. Put on your thinking cap and see what you can come up with. Perhaps you can offer a joint savings deal that can benefit both businesses. You can contact us and we might be able to help you with your ideas. If you come up with something that might help you and another type of business let us know we might be able to help. -- Percentage off an item or service when customers visit both businesses. Customer purchases the combo and both businesses reap the rewards.

You'd be surprised what could happen. Don't think your business doesn't compliment another business. After having their car serviced perhaps they then go out to eat. When a customer is sitting down and having breakfast or lunch maybe their mind thinks about when they last had their car serviced. If they purchase a combo they can save money on both and you might pick up a new customer or one who hasn't been in lately.

We will be glad to help and we will be offering suggestions in the future.

Thanks,

Jim
webmaster.

In This issue:

• Online Community issues
• Freebies ( software or free information. Found Far right column)
• OLCNOW SHOPPING GUIDE
• Notable Dates to keep in mind for planning your advertising.
• Coupons. Still a free service. Located in the middle column.
• Saving Money. Send us your money saving tips..
• Tough economic times.. A few ideas to consider.

Online Community issues.

There is only one community website to make changes on. They will happen in the near future. If you haven't viewed the websites, take time and be sure your business is listed correctly. If you have a Logo or Banner/Logo listing you might want to send us key words that will help people find your services. We won't be able to use all of them but we will welcome your input. You might even be able to feature your business in another section of our pages. Logo and Banner/Logo Listings can be featured in other areas as long as they provide the service or products that the section provides. Example: Oil change business won't be featured under Pharmacies, but if your restaurant offers pizza, you could be in both sections.

We will also be adding affiliate links and banners to the websites. These are online links for buying products. If at any time, you as a business listed with us, feel that any of these links will cut into your business sales, let us know and we will consider removing them. We will not knowingly add an affiliate link for products that our local area business listings sell. In other words I will not add a clothing link while I have a business selling clothing listed on our website. We will be adding links for items that we feel our readers would benefit from. One of our first will be a link where people can buy computers online - TigerDirect. Let us know what you think. It is just another way for us to generate a few dollars to keep operating the websites.

We are always open to suggestions and would love to hear from you. Just email us at webmaster@gunlakeonline.com.

OLCNOW Shopping Guide.

Not getting the response we had hoped, but we are looking into ways to improve the service. We will keep you informed. Remember you can update your ad every month. Send us the information to change your add.  Look forward to August. That's when we will be contacting you about the ads we will be posting in the Reminder the first of September. Call or email us to reserve your spot. The full color, full page ad draws attention, be sure your business is featured in the ad. Get that name recognition that will keep you in front of potential customers.

Saving Money:

Got that money saving tip to pass on to others. Send us that tip and others and we will feature your business as the one providing the tip. You get home page exposure and others will benefit with your tip. You can see a few tips on any of the home pages for our community websites. Just take a few minutes of your time and email us your tips.

Help us help others and get some name recognition on our home pages. Every little bit helps.

Tips to Consider

Tough economic times are here for us all.. The future doesn't look good as taxes seem to be our politicians idea of change and gas prices continue to rise. In some ways the high cost of gas could be a help to local businesses. More and more people are going to make shorter trips for their shopping. You could be their nearest location for their needs. Here are a few ideas to consider during these tough economic times.

*Provide discounts: If you have a good customer and know that they're struggling a little, provide some discounts to keep them with you. It's cheaper to keep a customer than try to find a replacement one.

*Complementary or partner services: For an example, let's say you sell car wash services. If you haven't already done so, find local businesses that perform 30 minute oil changes and create a partnership. Go together on a bundled package or work together to create an advertisement that shows how you complement each other.

*Let your current customers help you. Word-of-mouth and referral sales can be extremely effective and cost efficient. Offer your current clients a gift or reward for sending business your way. Customer testimonials are extremely effective in gaining new business. Obviously, a satisfied customer is much more likely to talk about your business than a less than happy customer.

*Use the Internet: Finally, one area that businesses are realizing untapped potential is in Internet marketing. Use your website to your fullest potential. Advertise it on your company vehicles, business cards, flyers, billboards or anywhere you promote your company. Over 60% of Americans now use the Internet. If your business does not use the Internet, then you might want to rethink your strategy. The Internet is here to stay and it will continue to grow exponentially in the coming years.

If you don't have a website consider using our business highlight section or add more information to your Logo listing. Give us a call or email us to see what we can do to help. Some things are free services.

You now have the ability to pay your Invoices online or purchase services and join our membership. www.olcnow.com is now able to accept payments online. Existing members can pay their invoices on line and new members will be able to purchase membership or sign up for Logo Listings and Banner/Logo Listings. We will of course continue to accept payments by mail.

This is a free service to all Logo and Logo/Banner listings. Just write about what your business is all about or what services you offer. Tell about a new product.  You can change your business highlight any time you need to.

From time to time we will use this section to direct you to where you can find free software, utilities, and other free services.  If we hear about it we will let you know.

Advertising. 

Website addresses

www.gunlakeonline.com
www.wayland-online.com
www.onlinecaledonia.com
www.middlevilleonline.com
www.online-hastings.com
www.twin-cityonline.com

www.olcnow.com
 

Contact:
Boxwebs
P.O. Box 311
Shelbyville, MI 49244
Email: jim@boxwebs.com
Phone: (269) 792-6727

Previous Newsletters:
January
February
March
April
May
June