Here are the Top 10 Tips I give small business owners and
entrepreneurs on a daily basis when I see them out at
networking functions. These 10 things will be the least
expensive and probably the most effective forms of
marketing that you could do to promote your small business.
1. Display your cards or brochures at coffee shops, book
stores, businesses of people you know, membership stores
like Costco and Sam's Club, anywhere that will allow it;
all of these are free. Seek out ones locally that will
allow you to do this and replenish them frequently. You
can also approach other business professionals that
compliment what you do and have a similar target market as
you to swap marketing materials, meaning you display or
carry theirs and they yours.
2. Hold an Open House, Ribbon Cutting or some kind of an
event to attract the public or your specific target market
to your business. You can partner with another business to
split the cost, you can bring in a charity to raise money
for or have a client appreciation night of some sort.
Whatever you do, make sure you plan it well in advance and
publicize the event to the media and your database. I can
help you plan and promote your events in the media and to
your database!
3. Networking is the cheapest form of advertising you can
do ' find organizations, associations, chambers, groups and
monthly meetings that have attendees and members that fit
your unique target market client or referral source and
visit them first, then join if you see the value. The key
to networking is frequency. You need to go to the
organization's events that you join each month for greater
visibility, to be recognized and ultimately to be the go-to
person for your particular industry. Visit
www.ksawamarketing.com each month for a FREE monthly
Networking Calendar and numerous organization links!
4. Put your sales message and/or logo on everything, your
car, shirts, nametag, building, invoices, envelopes, sales
flyers, receipts, tags, etc. Simple name/logo branding can
be a huge asset for a small business (everyone will say
"I've seen your stuff somewhere"). Ask me for a referral
for companies who do these things!
5. Invite trade for services for things you may need
(bookkeeping help, CPA, financial or attorney advice,
marketing, advertising, promotions, signs, promo items,
printing, products, services, etc.). This will save you
money and give you other avenues to pursue for referrals as
well.
6. Go in with other small businesses that compliment your
business on advertising opportunities, chamber inserts or
in their newsletter, inserts in the local papers, direct
mail pieces, target mailing list purchases, door to door
flyers, etc. (i.e.; housekeeping business and carpet
cleaning business). This will keep your costs lower for
these items and give you greater credibility by partnering
with other professionals. I can help you design and
coordinate these marketing pieces so they STAND OUT!
7. Make sure you are listed on all local area or national
website directories necessary that will target your message
for you. Do the free ones for sure, but evaluate them if
they charge a fee. When you consult with me ' I give you a
list of these for FREE!
8. Include links to other people's websites on yours and
ask to do the same for added exposure. Have an "I
recommend these businesses" page. Reciprocal links helps
both websites get higher up on the search engines. I offer
low cost advertising on my email newsletters which reach
1,500 business professionals and my clients are listed for
no extra charge on my client list on my website!
9. Follow up, Follow up, Follow up with everyone you meet
and ask them what their business is all about and how could
you work together to promote each other? You need to
develop a system for this so it gets done. Whether it's
add them to your mailing list and mail to them once a
month, add them to your email list if they opt-in and email
them weekly or calling them, stopping by or faxing them on
a monthly basis to keep in touch. Having a system or
guideline written down that you can follow easily each
month is the key. I can help you put together an effective
and efficient, low cost follow up marketing system that's
easy to follow!
10. Never base your advertising decisions on what YOU do,
take yourself out of the picture and think like your
customer and what they would generally do. Always ask
pertinent questions of any media before buying it such as
"What is their circulation or reach" and "How do they
market themselves or how is their medium distributed".
Research all your options first, figuring out which ones
reach your target market the best, then evaluate their cost
per thousand. I can put together an Advertising Plan for
you so you know where to and NOT to spend your money!
Well, hopefully you are doing everything on that list
already in your business, but if not I'm sure I've only
reminded you of what you already know to do. NOW DO IT!
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© Copyright 2008 K.Sawa Marketing
Katrina Sawa is an Award-Winning Relationship Marketing
Coach who's helped hundreds of small business owners take
dramatic steps in their businesses to get them to the next
level in business, revenues and life. She offers one-on-one
coaching, group coaching and do-it-yourself marketing
planning products. Go online now to get started with her
Free Report and Free Audio at
http://www.jumpstartyourmarketing.com !
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