Whether you’re a new start-up or an established small business, effective marketing plays a key role in your success. In order to extend your reach and access to as many potential customers as possible, it’s important to implement as many marketing tools as you can. While you might be doing quite well through writing articles or through public speaking, you can actually do much better by adding a few more techniques to your toolkit. Not only will it be a great learning experience, it will also create more visibility and credibility –
two things you must have to build a successful business. As a marketing expert, I advise my clients to implement low or no cost options first. You would be surprised at how many things you can do to build your business – and all without spending a dime! All of my suggestions will help you to do just that.1. Write and publish articles. Writing an article is one of quickest ways to establish yourself as an expert. The power of written word is awesome. If you’re a fairly decent writer, who can craft a well-organized article filled with meaningful content, you’re on your way to establishing a relationship with potential customers. You can publish your articles online through free services like www.topten.org or www.goarticles.com, or submit them to local newspapers or magazines. You can even give them out to people you meet.
2. Use assessments and surveys. Assessments and surveys are perfect way to build awareness about you and your business. If you use a free survey tool like www.surveymonkey.com, you can send out a survey to your mailing list. You can ask for opinions on your current products and services while at same time inquiring about what new things people would like to see. Keep surveys short and to point. They’re a great way to get back in front of folks who you might not have contacted for a while or a great conversation opener with people you’ve never met before.
3. Write an e-course. Writing an e-course is a wonderful way to promote your business, while providing value to your current or prospective customers. In simplest terms, an e-course is a series of e-mails that are delivered at pre-defined intervals which contain valuable content around a specific topic. E-courses consist of “lessons” which are loaded into autoresponders which automatically e-mail lessons to your opt-in list. Not only will you be able to provide valuable content to readers over a specific period of time, but you’ll continually remind them of who you are and what you do.
4. Upgrade your e-mail signature. Your email signature is more important than you might think. At first consideration, you might see your email signature in its traditional role – just your name – identifying you as sender of an email. At its best, an email signature can play a strategic role in your marketing effort as yet another way to reach out and make connections with current and potential clients. An email signature should be considered as a part of your branding initiative. Each component part, from your name to your address, from your website to color and type of font you use, should be thought about and arranged appropriately to communicate who you are to world. And, what a great way to continually advertise your business – every time you send or respond to an email!
5. Offer a free or fee teleclass. What do you do in your business? What problems do you solve for your customers or clients? Think about value that you offer and distill it into five to seven key speaking points. Offer information that can help someone with a problem or issue they’re experiencing. Provide useful references to books, websites or other resources. Teleclasses are a great way for people to experience who you are. They can hear your voice, ask questions, and interact with you. Not only can you establish yourself as an expert while providing valuable and useful information to participants, but at same time you’ll be establishing relationships with people who may contact you in future.
