Send books Most receive and throw away a lot of business cards. But when we receive a book we keep it and put in on a shelf. We might read it or at least glance at it. Give a book that supports your message or one that you know your client will love. Always sign it with a personal note. Check with authors - they might give you a deal if you buy a bunch.

Volunteer in your Associations and community Don’t volunteer because you think it is good marketing. It is, but you never know when it will pay back. Get involved in causes in which you believe. Others see you doing good things and they begin to know you and like you. And we would rather do business with those we know and like. The Body Shop has used this pratice to effectively market itself. Notice how many big consulting firms get involved with United Way. It is a good cause and they get to meet prospects in a friendly environment. Maintain your database Build a list of names and information about your clients and prospects. Include what and when they buy. Look for patterns. Treat your best clients better. The airlines and hotels do this well. Stay in touch with your clients through your database and record all contacts. Record any personal information you learn such as birthdays, spouse’s name, favorite pastime and awards they won. Remember how it feels when you walk into your favorite restaurant and maitre’d calls you by name and asks if you want your regular table?

Celebrate what’s in common We like those who are like us. Don’t change your ways. Instead associate with those who share your interests and make sure they know about your business. Every one of your interests and pastimes brings you closer to others. Are you a golfer, runner, gardener, sailor, square dancer, parent, soccer fan, ..?

Build relationships with your clients and prospects. It is way to sustain your business.

Here’s another example. You’re a professional organizer and your expertise is to go into your clients’ homes and help them organize their basements, or go through their clothes and prepare for a large donation, or rearrange their kitchen to make it more functional. Whatever it is you do, there are many vendors out there that you complement. How do you turn other vendors into third-party partners? First, think about whom your clients spend time with and what other vendors they employ. For example, you could approach home improvement professionals, such as carpenters and painters. Ask them to distribute your new business flyer, and you do same for them. There’s no risk. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you’re associating with only reputable vendors, since you won’t generate a lot of reoccurring business by passing around flyers for unethical businesses.

All of my examples work in reverse too. If you’re one of vendors, then consider approaching flower shop or accountant and initiate your third-party relationship.

P.S… It’s my experience that what keeps us from growing our businesses is our lack of confidence in ourselves. As far as I’m concerned, if you own a business, then you have expertise necessary to get your job done, and gusto to approach others and ask them to sell you. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have chutzpah to have started your business in first place. Now go, build some third-party relationships and make some money, and remember, spend very little.