Simply put: marketing is one of the most important things that your business can do to get more business. And it can get expensive in a hurry. But, there are some easy ways to increase your marketing without increasing your marketing cost. Here are 3 of the tactics that we use, and suggest that our clients use, to improve their businesses.
1. Create an offer for your website: When you are trying to attract potential buyers, don’t make the initial offer a consult with your sales team. No one wants to be attacked by a piranha-like sales guy the minute they express some interest in a product. Even if you think your sales guys are sweet as puppies and would never be irritating - you are probably wrong. We love to give the example that when you are looking for someone to marry, you don’t walk around asking everyone to marry you. You start with asking them on a date, something simple like out for coffee. When it comes to selling, you need to approach it the same way. The best way to gain a potential clients trust is to give them baby steps to get used to you. Offer them a free guide (like our 7 steps to business marketing success!). Then offer them a free webinar. Then maybe a $50 commitment to a live webinar. THEN let your sales guys talk to them. If the potential client has been taking all the steps with you, the sales guys should have a much easier job, and a much more welcome reception.
2. Ask for referrals: As I talked about last week, sometimes the easiest way to get more clients is to ask your current ideal clients where you can find more like them. The biggest plus of referrals is they don’t cost you anything. Referrals are EARNED not paid for. You get referrals by providing the best service that you possibly can, and then asking your ecstatic clients to pass on your business card to a couple other people that can use your services. It really is that simple! But remember to thank the client that gave you the referrals (this may take spending a little money) so they will want to keep giving you referrals
3. Create a blog and start blogging: Lastly, if you’re not blogging about your business, you are missing out on one of the most effective and affordable ways to promote your business online! It is one of the fastest ways to improve your search engine optimization and to get potential clients to know, like and trust you. We are in a web 2.0 world which means more and more of your clients are going to be turning to the web to get to know the companies they are concidering working with. The more useful and positive information that they can find, the more that they will trust your business. Realistically, blogging is a topic that we could talk about every day, every post, and never get through it all. We have already talked about why we started our blog and tips on how to blog, the only thing I have left to say is GET STARTED!
Do you have a great free, or almost free, marketing tip to share? Let us know!
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linkingclever.info » Blog Archive » 3 almost free ways to improve your marketing
July 21st, 2008
Great post!! Simple concepts but so often small businesses need a Coach like you or like Randy Vaughn (www.MarketingTwins.com) to help inspire them! Let’s hope people take your advice - great job!
Donny-MarketingTwin #2
July 21st, 2008