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6) Testimonials support your credibility. It’s good practice to ask clients for regular feedback either verbally or in a quick customer satisfaction survey. When you have a happy customer – ask whether you could get a quote from them. Be clear as to how you will use
testimonial – on your website, in your newsletter or letterhead etc. Make sure you accredit quote explicitly with name of client – anonymous testimonials don’t hold much punch. After all, testimonials can also give your clients good publicity.
7) Cold calling can send shivers down your spine! However, it is a highly targeted way to promote your business. Don’t expect to close a deal over phone – again this is about finding out information as much as selling. Use phone calls as first step to getting to know your prospective clients better. Don’t make a full pitch but arrange an appointment or ask permission to send on further materials about your business. And remember to speak s-l-o-w-l-y! For a Cold Calling Crash course to get you over your fears and anxieties, take a look at Do Your Own PR.
8) Referrals are a valuable and inexpensive way to find new clients. It’s not about being pushy, it’s about building long term business relationships based on trust. Start by asking each of your clients or suppliers for three contacts of other people who might like to find out more about your business. You could offer to reciprocate and provide three useful contacts in return. Make it a regular habit to give referrals as well as ask for them. For an effective referral marketing system, visit 1quickreferral
9) Press releases must be targeted. There is little point sending round a generic press release to hundreds of newspapers. Start by focusing on five publications ideal for your target market. Read back editions thoroughly – understand what kind of stories they like to publish and style of language they use. Find a relevant news hook and tailor your press release specifically for each publication. The first paragraph is key and must provide who, what, where, when and why of your story. For excellent tips on writing press releases visit Bizhelp24 .
10) Patience and persistence are most important tools to promote your small businesses! If you try each of strategies above and build them into a regular marketing plan, you will certainly boost your profile, without a doubt!
Jo Hill is the Director of Affinity Trading Network
