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| www.itsvirtuallydone.com |
An ezine of invaluable business tips for independent business professionals.
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In
This Issue: Welcome |
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You may recall from an earlier issue that I told you that I had planted giant sunflower seeds. About the time that they were to be emerging from the ground, I checked on them. Instead of finding sprouts, I found seeds flung about by the bird who had eaten a dandy treat. Undaunted, I've planted new seeds along with bird and deer netting. Stay tuned... |
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. " H. D. Thoreau |
Marketing yourself on a shoestring
Are you a new business
or one with a limited marketing budget? Do you need to get your name out
there, but not want to spend a lot? Or are you just cheap (in the best
possible way) and want to market yourself with little out of pocket expense?
Here are a few marketing tactics, which are low or no cost that fall into
three categories: networking, referral building, and publicity. See if
any of these suit you and fit your business.
Networking
- Check your regional newspaper's Sunday business section for networking events. Usually they're low cost or free.
- Volunteer your services or donate your product to a church, service, or business organizations. These are good places to start.
- Team up with someone in a related field and collaborate by offering a joint service or product to clients/customers.
- Exchange or barter services. Example: you need a Web site and your Web developer colleague needs some technical computer service.
- Pick a few groups and attend consistently.
Referral Building
- Have a lot of coffee with friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Tell them about your business, and ask them to spread the word.
- Ask for referrals from current clients.
Publicity
- Get written up
in the newspaper by:
--sending a press release.
--asking your local paper to profile you.*
--contacting one of the paper's freelancers and make a pitch.
* note: you'll need an angle (e.g., you're a new business). - Write an article about your area of expertise and get it published. Your business association newsletter probably needs content.
- Get testimonials from clients or colleagues and include them in your marketing materials (e.g. Web site)
- Offer an ezine on your Web site and give away free advice (sorry, I couldn't resist).
Summary
The bottom line is: get out there, show up consistently, be assertive, show interest and help others, and it will happen for you.
Need a simple yet effective Web site?
One of the projects that I take on for my clients is creating their Web site. If you've been thinking about a Web site for your business, but you don't know how to get started, please contact me. I also revamp the content of existing Web sites. Contact me at: kristy@itsvirtuallydone.com
Quick tip: Weather on your desktop
Are you a weather nut like me, particularly during very cold or hot times of the year? I found a free little program that loads when you turn on your computer and places a small icon in and above your system tray displaying the temperature. By double-clicking the icon, you open a Doplar radar rendition of your home town. Get your personalized weather for your desktop at: www.accuweather.com.
Next month look for the following topics:
--My favorite PC
shortcuts and tips.
--Quick tip: Word of the day.
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