Here’s a New Year’s resolution we can help you keep: make local store marketing (LSM) a priority throughout 2011.

Keeping a consistent focus on local store marketing (neighborhood marketing) can be challenging when you’re busy concentrating on day-to-day operations. But the benefits are undeniable. For restaurant chains, LSM offers a great opportunity to complement national advertising/PR on a local or regional level. Not only is local store marketing an inexpensive way to increase traffic, but it also helps move the needle on sales. And LSM helps you gain customer loyalty while representing your business positively in the community.

MP Media & Promotions has proven expertise in all types of local store marketing: in-store promotions and events, local media buys, email blasts, social media sites, sponsorships and grass roots efforts (like distributing door hangers and flyers).

We specialize in identifying ways to address your specific needs. For example, if you want to increase lunch sales or drive weekend traffic, we can help! For 15 years, we’ve provided our clients with effective neighborhood marketing programs that attain and retain loyal customers. So don’t procrastinate. Make 2011 the year to improve your LSM campaign. (And don’t forget who told you about it!)

You’ve heard the old saying before, “It costs five times as much to get a new customer as it does to keep an existing one.”

With that in mind, many businesses are following the lead of the airline and hotel industries by offering generous loyalty rewards to impact repeat business. According to a recent WSJ.com article, recession-hit businesses in the restaurant industry are “crafting new ways” to reward to their best customers by offering special perks for their loyalty. These range from simple discounts to exotic “experiences.” Many well-known eateries are increasing frequency with programs that allow customers the chance to sample new menu items first, enter to win trips to coastal areas, “jump the line” opportunities during peak hours, earn points towards purchasing exclusive merchandise, etc.

So if you haven’t launched a loyalty program yet – what are you waiting for? View these programs as an investment in building continuity with your customers. We can create a unique loyalty program for you with our turnkey Encore! Rewards. It’s designed to complement your brand and boost your bottom line. We’ll help you sign people up, develop enticing rewards, and spread the word about special offers and events. Because Encore! Rewards is an integrated program, we will tailor your message so it’s consistent and clearly communicated both in-store and online.

We’ve just put away our swimsuits and deflated the pool toys…yet we’re already seeing signs of Christmas. A recent article in MediaPost hailed 2010 as “the year of the creeping Christmas.” Retailers will be pushing promotions and sales earlier than ever to lure shoppers. The economy is still weak, so it’s critical for retailers to be prepared with creative techniques and attractive offers.

Across the country, there’s a strong “shop our town” sentiment, as local merchants band together like never before. Most U.S. cities are ringed by smaller towns with retailers who offer the same prices and amenities as big-city stores. Shopping locally saves customers time and gas money, and lets them reinvest their dollars in the local community. By pooling resources, local merchants can lower their advertising costs while maximizing ad frequency and effectiveness. It’s a win-win for all involved.

The 4^th quarter won’t be easy sledding, so let us help you find proactive, creative ways to promote local shopping.

In movies like Meet The Parents, actor Ben Stiller has shown the world how not to make a good first impression. While most businesses never stumble that badly, it’s still easy to send the wrong signals with e-newsletters – not just the first, but all the following ones, too.

E-newsletters are a proven, affordable way to communicate with your customers. They’re a great tool for expanding your customer database and building loyalty. But it’s important to remember that the customer holds all the power: the dreaded “Unsubscribe” button.

So the question is: how do you attract customers and keep them engaged with your brand or business? It’s really not that hard. Just give ’em what they want:

1.  Make it useful –Educate customers on your products, give insider information, and intrigue them with your opinions and insights.
2.  Make it interesting – The copy should sound like you’re having fun and talking to your customer face to face. Encourage the reader to respond to what you’re saying.
3.  Make it reader-friendly – Keep it short and simple. Data gathered by Litmus with their Email Analytics tool shows that, on average, 51.1% of readers spend less than 2 seconds looking at your email.
4.  Make it “pretty” – Attractive design and appealing images cause readers to linger longer. Our design team can help you with that.
5.  Make it accurate – All news that you share is a reflection on your business, so accuracy and clarity are vital.
6.  Make it consistent – Once you decide to do e-newsletters, you should continue to send them on a regular basis, not sporadically. Customers are impressed with companies that show consistency and follow-through.

When you approach every e-newsletter as the start of a new relationship, your customers are far less likely to opt out. Think of it as a “first date” where you need to make a good impression…and you’re sure to win them over!