You’re a home-based business owner who wants to generate more income. You can generate more income by serving more clients, but you don’t have an unlimited budget to advertise – here are some effective marketing tips that you can implement for little money and only a few hours each week. Read through them, put them to work for you and let me know how they are working! 1.Set e-mail auto-responders. Use your e-mail to send automated responses. Create a “thanks for requesting information message” to be sent to anyone who sends mail to your ‘contact us’ account from your web-page.
2.Create Frequently Answered Questions document and post it on your website. Direct all new inquiries to your website for more information about your service. Answer
questions your best customers have – and make it easy for them to find answers they need.
3.Use your e-mail effectively. Create a signature line that clearly states your name, business, and way to reach you, website and an info-teaser about what you do. With an easy-link to your website, you have no idea who else may be reaching you. Keep this on EVERY e-mail you send.
4.Create an e-zine. Your e-zine should provide information that your target clients can use. Make it interesting and ‘forward-worthy.’ Encourage your subscribers to send your e-zine to their friends and colleagues.
5.Use articles you write for your e-zine to submit to other on-line e-zines and publishers. You can request a list of potential sites for your article submission by e-mailing info@petcareuniversity.com.
6.Business Cards. Post your business card where your target clients will see it. You can have your business cards printed by local printer or you can use an on-line site, such as vistaprint.com…but once you have your cards make sure they stay consistent – changing your card design on vistaprint is fun, but it dilutes YOUR brand.
BONUS TIP: When networking, be specific about what a GOOD lead is for your company. It cuts down on getting lots of calls from people who you can’t help, and it helps others to help you!
7.When asked what you do, be clear and concise. Make sure you focus on benefit you bring to your customers, instead of “I’m a freelance writer,” how about, “I help businesses increase their bottom line by writing killer copy for their direct mail campaigns .” Don’t be shy and be sure everyone who meets you knows what your business is.
8.Present yourself as a business professional at all times. Even though you work at home, be sure you always present your most professional self on phone, in correspondence and when you go out to run errands (you never know who you will run into as you fill up your car!). Be articulate and polite in your dealings with everyone you meet.
