The Small Business Sales Team members, along with the local districts, are responding to the changing needs of today’s small business by introducing a new “virtual” way to hold Grow Your Business Day (GYBD) events.
Using the new format, small businesses will be able to join postmasters in an online forum to share information on the various Postal Service™ products and services that businesses need to thrive. These valuable sessions build loyalty by providing customers with tools to assist them to come back even stronger once the crisis is over.
Holding a virtual GYBD event is a great way to check on local businesses and let them know that the Postal Service is here to help them. Here are some tips for holding a successful virtual GYBD event:
n Use Zoom to host your meeting. Hold a rehearsal no more than one day before the event. Use this time to uncover technological issues and learn how to use the Zoom platform.
n Plan the date of your event in advance. Put the date on a spreadsheet and share the information with your Area Headquarters liaison. This will help provide enough time to effectively promote your event.
n Position your meeting as a “thank you” for being loyal customers. No need to have a set presentation for the event — let customers know the event is being held to offer them assistance.
n Use an open “Question and Answer” forum. Let business customers ask the questions and be prepared to provide answers to their specific needs. If there are questions you can’t answer, ask these customers to share their contact information via private chat, enter a lead in the Business Connect (BC) portal and have your local Business Development Specialist (BDS) follow up with them.
n If possible, invite your local BDS to attend the event. They can help answer questions and quickly follow up on prospective new business.
n Be prepared to share information. Business customers will need information about Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) to help promote their business, and Priority Mail® for order fulfillment and eCommerce.
n Share collateral for these events by sharing your screen. Here are some recommendations for collateral:
1. Pocket postmaster – 17SUPPKTPM01.
2. Shipping collateral – 18BDSGUIDEQ101.
3. EDDM collateral –17SUPSHT761.
4. Political direct mail piece – 16POLMLDM100.
n Document the event and any potential leads in the BC Portal. This is the way to get credit for your Business Connect activities.
n Once the event is over, send GYBD thank you cards to customers. Order GYBD thank you cards from the Material Order site to thank your guests for attending and to keep the Postal Service fresh in their minds:
n GYBD Thank you for attending Postcards – 19Q3BCGYBDTY01.
As a proud Postal Service employee, this is your opportunity to keep small businesses, which are the backbone of our nation, running strong. Continuing to nurture and support small businesses in this time of crisis lets customers know you care, which improves our brand and helps build loyal customers for years to come.
If you have any questions about hosting a virtual GYBD event, please contact your local BDS through your District Marketing team.
— Small Business Team,
Sales and Marketing, 5-21-20
