There is nothing quite as special as a mom and pop store in the sea of capitalism. It is no easy feat to stay afloat when there are huge establishments taking over cities, but mom and pop shops offer a unique experience that cannot be found in large chains—genuine connection. Text messaging also offers a unique personal connection. Therefore, it makes sense for mom and pop stores to use mobile marketing too.
Here are four ways you can stick it to the big guys and reap the rewards of valuable sales and loyal customers:
Alerts & Reminders
A way to get customers excited about joining your text marketing list is by offering alerts and reminders about events, inventory and availability, new items and services, or sales. Let your customers get the inside scoop so that they feel intimately involved with your brand and feel important to your store.
Lovable Customer Service
Customer service is paramount for mom and pop shops. Many people cringe their way through corporate-owned shops because the experience may feel stale and rather generic. For that reason, many prefer to only interact with small businesses. When customers enter mom and pop stores, they want to feel like they are part of the family so use text messaging for greater cohesion. Although you can make a great impression during your physical interaction with customers, sending a follow-up question after a purchase can show you genuinely care about their satisfaction. Also, allow customers to reach you via text when they need assistance with purchasing something from you or with a purchase they made.
Individualized Coupons
The beauty of mom and pop stores is that you are able to interact with individuals and actually remember the encounters. Show your customers that their presence and business is acknowledged by creating customized coupons. If your customer has a habit of purchasing a certain item or if a customer endlessly gawks at an item they can't quite afford at the moment, offer a small discount on the item through a mobile coupon. This will help generate brand loyalty.
Personalized Messages
To keep your store a favorite amongst customers, develop your own creative strategy for personally reaching customers through texts. For example, if your brand is witty, send a funny text directed to a customer once a month or more. Or if you have a store that values community, gather data on what causes your customer supports, then send out inspirational quotes or links to events supporting the cause once a month.
