Attracting New Business on a Shoestring Budget

Written by Kelley Robertson


In a recent marketing workshop I attended, I discovered that most business owners rely on just two or three strategies to attract new business. Even well-established companies tend to rely on one or two strategies. However, there is a multitude of ways to drive new business to your door. Here are a few:

Networking. Perhapsrepparttar most commonly used approach by small business owners. However, it is often poorly executed. Many people attend a networking function and takerepparttar 120536 wrong approach by trying to meet as many people as they can. They bounce from person to person, handing out business cards like it is an Olympic event and they are vying forrepparttar 120537 gold medal. They fail to realize thatrepparttar 120538 most effective way to network is to cultivate relationships and give referrals to other members first.

Referrals. This marketing strategy places a close second in preferred methods of generating new business leads. The key here is to develop a systematic approach to ensure that you take proactive approach instead than a passive one. Rather than assuming that 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. The real estate agent who representedrepparttar 120539 seller when we bought our house, sends us a card every year and reminds us that she loves referrals. It is not pushy, does not sound like she’s begging, and I’m confident it helps generate new leads.

Writing. This often under-utilized strategy is an excellent way to become recognized as an industry expert. Every industry has trade magazines and most are hungry for good content. The Internet is also filled with websites and e-zines looking for material to send to their subscribers and customers. I now write at least one article every month and send it to more than two hundred publications. This strategy alone has helped drive more traffic to my website more than anything else. It is sometimes challenging to come up with ideas and to write an 800 word article butrepparttar 120540 investment of time and effort is definitely worth it.

Newsletters. This is another powerful technique to keep your name in front of your customers and prospects. Provide key insight into business challenges and offer solutions to them. In other words, help your prospects and customers solve problems. Some newsletters are nothing more than advertising so be sure to provide valuable information to your customer. Although it is less expensive to send a newsletter electronically you can issue it in paper format. A local real estate agent regularly sends out a one-page update ofrepparttar 120541 housing market in our neighborhood.

Are Your Sales Letters Drab and Boring?

Written by Dustin Rhodes


Bring LIFE to your text and increase sales with these 3 easy steps:

1. Mirror, Mirror onrepparttar Wall...

Place a mirror on your desk or workstation, large enough that you can see yourself as you work. No, this mirror is not intended for you to worship your exquisite beauty, it a tool to improving your communication skills.

2. Self Talk

While writing your text, speak out-loud torepparttar 120535 image inrepparttar 120536 mirror, as if your reflection were another person setting across from you. Don't be afraid to "role-play"repparttar 120537 whole conversation, speaking out-loud for BOTH you and your reflection. When you have a visual aid, your conversation will be more lively and upbeat. This role playing can open your mind to new ideas that possibly you may not have thought of before.

It's probably a good idea to do this in a quite place, where you will not be disturbed. If someone should see you talking to yourself, you will definitely get strange looks or someone might make arrangements for you to be fitted for a nice straight-jacket.

3. SMILE

Normally when you are speaking to another person, you naturally exchange smiles (unless it is an argument) and laughter. Be sure to smile atrepparttar 120538 reflection in your mirror, be yourself, let your own personality shine and your text will "smile" as well. The same when you are making business telephone calls. SMILE as you dialrepparttar 120539 phone number and greetrepparttar 120540 person onrepparttar 120541 other end ofrepparttar 120542 line with a SMILE. The tone ofrepparttar 120543 conversation will be positive and friendly right fromrepparttar 120544 start.

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