Does anyone have any Marketing Advice?

Tough problem but answer the questions below. It sounds like you are being sandwiched between a high end and low end competitor. You may have to compete head-to-head against one however it is hard to tell. The following is not necessarily the answer to your problem but will introduce a structured way to generate ideas and identify opportunities. If you can answer the following, I can also ideate answers for you.

- Identify and understand your target audience: Who are the buyers for cash registers and POS systems? How often do they buy? What industries do they represent? How big or small are they? Are they mostly new businesses? How much do they spend? Are there some buyers who are more valueable than others? Who is the decision maker and who so they seek advice from? Is it the owner, regional procurement, etc. Are there different types of customers?

After you identify who your buyers are. I would separate different types of customers. Sometime it is important to focus on one type of buyer. I would try to find some businesses who have recently purchased a POS system and ask them the following:

- How did your target audience make decisions? How do they become aware of their need to upgrade/replace their current sysems? How do they come up with their list of needs? How long does the buying process usually take? Why did they choose their current solution? <Note: Really important question, don't skimp on this one> What were the factors that led to the purchase? Sales approach, product quality, price, service?

After you identify the answers to the questions above, you should ask yourself the following:

- Do you have the right products? What is your target audience buying and do you have a competitive offering? Include service as part of the product solution.

- Is your product priced correctly? How strong a role does this play? Are your prices alined with market expectations?

- Is your sales approach correct? How do they find out and how did the buyer make a decision? What role did the sales team play?

Answering these questions will help you form a marketing strategy that can help you drive sales. Here are some generic marketing tactics I would propose knowing nothing about your business and what you have tried in the past:

Assuming that the majority of cash registers and POS systems are new businesses:

- I would identify new businesses in your region as soon as they register as a new business. They may be a good source of leads. You may be able to deploy a telesales group to reach this group.

- Reach out to local chambers of commerce and SBA associations: You can network and ensure that you are a top of mind company for this type of product.

Good luck with your marketing plan. Like I stated above, a formal analysis of the answers to the questions above can lead to ideas. If you present the answers, I will follow up with additional ideas.

It seems like customer service would be your main selling point.What if you advertise yourself as a repair and maintenence service for all brands, not just the ones you sell? That way if you saturate your market, you'll still have work coming in. Also you could become the go-to guy for ink and paper tapes. Have your customers sign a long term contract so they won't be tempted to run to Sam's Club for those supplies. And good luck, Business is not for sissies!

As I said many times on here a very successful man once said"compound interest is the strongest thing on earth" it was Henry Ford and he was right. Don't put all of your eggs in one =basket. All ways keep a portion in ready cash certificate. It'll doublein a few years, I would get an online account(with parents permission you can,), and start from there. Bank start ups are a good bet. They usually split several times within 10 yrs, and are about the safetest stocks out there Most also pay a dividend in 3/4 yrs too.Another stoci if it goes any lower is ford whjich is down now. ZDon't count them out but it's along range bet:)

See what your competition does price and service wise... and what freebies they throw in the process, and adjust yourself Accordincly...also check if your compitition possible can do the same work with less staff...Or the rent where you operate is too high...Material that you use to complete orders get waisted....make drastic ajustments and for the sake of your familly I hope you survive. The rule is that people that will not produce for you...they have to go...sooner the better.

In this world "different" is almost the same as "better". So make yourself different than your competitors. I would start by actually visiting your potential clients at their stores. No pitching, just explain who you are and ask them a few quick questions like "what do you LIKE about your POS" and "what would you change". First, you establish yourself face to face, which I still think is pretty powerful. #2 you are demonstrating your customer service ethic, you came out to see them just ot ask a quesiton in person so they know youll do good customer service. #3 you are showing that you care. #4 you will get valuable data about how your target thinks, which will make your marketing better.

Certainly, you are looking at markets in Thailand and Viet Nam. Why not? Get on a plane, go over there, take a gander at what I'm talking about. Get rich. Hire me to mother everyone, teach English, be the company nurse over there, and write all your operating manuals. : ) GO! It's easier than you think.

Blow the business up and offer membership programs and each person must sign up to membership program for support.

Make it 3 tiers and each package suits the level of business they are at and the support they require.

Then run sales seminars to help your users.

Check out the Sales and Marketing Help website.

They have a lot of sales and marketing tips and good advice for marketers.

( http://www.salesandmarketinghelp.com/ )

You can use these sites to get visitors to your web site

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