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You know what they say, online or off, the money is in “your list” of customers. What better way to increase foot traffic and have repeat business than by offering customers VIP Daily Specials!

You say you use Value Packs? Yea, but there is a cost acquisition to that, isn't there? And these customers might be just coming in for the discount. Then POOF, they're gone. No, the most efficient way to keep in touch with your customers is through e-mail based marketing of present customers.

Yes, you're a brick and mortar operation. But here's why you benefit: Most online businesses capture e-mail addresses when someone visits their website; be it a furniture store, insurance agent etc. In fact, I do this method with my public speaking site, which gives tips, tricks, and techniques for effective public speaking. (www.publicspeaklikeapro.com)

I publish a weekly ezine and offer my customers a FREE 7 Day E-course plus loads of articles. This is labor intensive for me, but for your franchise, YOU won't have to create articles. Instead, simply provide CHA-CHING -- savings coupons to your loyal customers. They are easily deliverable as online coupons and only GOOD at your store location!

In addition, you can share details about what YOUR franchise is doing such as any charity events you are sponsoring, or local sport's teams you are supporting. Doing this gets YOUR brand out into the market and keeps your store on your local customer's radar.

The beauty of e-mail marketing is that off-line you are competing with other franchises, but online it's an open field. Below is part of one of five tips that can help you accomplish this mission.

The cost or e-mail marketing? $0

Long Term Marketing Possibilities? PRICELESS!

1. Give Incentives

I call this the ethical “shameless bribe.” It's an oldie, but a goodie. Give your foot traffic customer an incentive or “freebie” so they provide you their e-mail address once they walk into your store. It they balk, a) tell them their e-mail address will NOT be given out to third parties. B) you are getting VIP coupons that are not available to the general public. Saying this created scarcity in your offer, thus making it more desirable.

Your incentive can be a free item or a 2-for-1 discount coupon. Your goal is to fit the freebie to your customer. Don't forget: you can't give a recipe of meatloaf to a vegetarian, regardless if it's free.

2. Joint Venture

Joint venture with another business that complements yours. I know you might think of another franchise as your competition, but this strategy allows you both to combine your customer bases for optimal effectiveness. This is called reciprocity marketing or joint venture marketing.

Another technique is to simply ask another franchise with a similar customer base to do a JV (Joint Venture) with you. You mention specials in your e-mail and they do the same. Results: you both benefit from sharing your customer base with you.

Look for Part Two. In it, I will provide the rest of the tips.

Peter "The Reinvention Guy" Fogel is a speaker, copywriter, author and proponent of direct response guerilla marketing tactics for small to medium sized businesses and franchises. He writes killer copy for many businesses including multi-million dollar marketers as Early to RIse, Biocentric health, Agora Publishing, Gold and Energy Report, Westhaven Labs, etc, to name just a few. For more articles, contact information, and for speaking engagement availibility pleae visit www.peterfogel.com, www.reinventyourselfnow.com, to get his FREE e-book, "Marketintg Secrets of the Masters! go to www.compellingcopynow.com