Idea. Plan. Action.
Most business owners rely on just two or three marketing strategies to attract new business. However, there is a multitude of ways to drive new business to your door. Here are a few:
Networking
Networking is perhaps the most commonly used approach by small business owners. The most effective way to network is to cultivate relationships and give referrals to other members first, make connections not just exchange a business card and feel that you’ve accomplished something with merely that. If you think networking would be a valuable way for you to make new business the first place to start is a chamber of commerce, they usually hold events and can connect you to other businesses and people in your area.
Referrals
This strategy places a close second in preferred methods of generating new business leads. Take a proactive approach – don’t assume that a satisfied client will refer someone to you, ask for that referral. Tell people who your ideal client is and ask for their help in finding these types of clients. It is not pushy, and I am confident it can generate new leads.
Speak About Your Company’s Accomplishments
Moderately boasting about your company’s accomplishments is excellent way to become recognized as an industry expert. Whether that be in a monthly publication, an advertisement, in Facebook, Twitter or any of the social media spheres.
Newsletters & Blogs
Writing a publication can help update your clients on what you’ve been doing, and what your capable of. It may also give your clients ideas about what they want to do with their company and help them define their goals. It can also drive more traffic to your website more than anything else. If you have a company blog, that also works in the same fashion, in a less direct manner than a newsletter. Yet, it can be shared, tweeted, facebooked, printed and emailed to others. Hopefully this will create a fan base that can give your company more exposure to more people.
Cold Calling
Cold calling is the most challenging way to market a business. However, it can be a good way to uncover qualified prospects in a relatively short period of time. It can help you connect and identify with potential clients and you can find out what it is they’re looking for and what it is they need in a business. If you need tips on cold calling, the internet is filled with them. A less challenging form of cold calling, is emailing, you can write a nice letter and introduce yourself and your company and offer up what you can provide for your client and how you can improve business.
Event Booths & Free Giveaways
If you ever get the opportunity to attend conventions, or events where a booth is required, it is a great idea that you bring enough free info, and materials to engage the general public. The more interesting your display the more people you will attract. And depending on how much attention you want to get, vastly depends on your own ambition. You can give away cards, pens, posters, information packets, coupons, free food. People generally love free anything and if it’s informative and relative to your business that’s even better. Not only can it be fun, but it can also be memorable for those who take home your giveaways – you never know who’s hands they’ll end up in.
Solutions! Solutions! Solutions!
If you are trying to get someone to join you you want to lessen the risk associated with the switch, and a way to this is to offer a guarantee. Find out what it is they don’t like about their current supplier , advertiser, etc. and offer them an assurances with solutions and ideas on how to improve what they don’t like. Eliminate doubt with a guarantee on finding a way to improve it.
Advertise
Lots of companies are willing to advertise, it’s the most common sense thing a business can do. Knowing the best way for your company to advertise is what makes the difference. Like offering solutions, you want to offer them that in your advertising, and you always want to create an interesting ad and cohesive ad campaign so that someone can identify and recognize your company. You need to understand your target market, and where they look to find what they need.
Marketing & More
There are many other ways to market your business. Depending on how much you have in your budget to spend you can expand to outdoor advertising, posters, fliers, e-blasts, you can sponsor events, put your advertising in various publications, or online and even if you wanted, go door to door. The possibilities are endless and they do not have to be expensive, they just have to be able to satisfy the clients needs and keep them coming back for more. Put your best face forward and seize the day!
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