10 steps to promote your business

1) Word of mouth is the most cost-effective, powerful form of promotion. Write a list of 50 people you know but don't see regularly ? relatives, friends, ex-colleagues etc. Send each of them a friendly email or postcard to let them know what you're up to. Ask them for feedback, advice or contacts of anyone who might be interested in hearing about your business. Don't be shy! People love to help. For practical tips on promoting your small business visit Guerrilla Marketing

2) Networking may seem intimidating but there are ways to make it less scary. Don't feel you have to sell, sell, sell - the number one rule of networking is to listen. It's about building relationships - go to a networking event looking for opportunities to help others. Ask questions, gather information, offer contacts and advice ? people will remember you for it. Networking PLUS is Business Link's popular monthly speed-networking event ? for details visit the events section on the Business Link website.

3) Business cards need to stand out from the crowd. Get a new batch printed on unusual material ? textured card, plastic, wood ? or make it an unusual shape. Offer a business tip or special offer on the back. Include your photo on the card ? this makes it more personal, easier to remember you and harder to throw away! For excellent free tips on killer business cards see Card Sharks on the Lean Marketing website.

4) The internet is an amazing market place to promote your business ? but it's easy to feel lost or insignificant. Join specialist forums and exchange links with complimentary websites. To reach a targeted audience, join Affinity Trading Network ? an active online network for small businesses. You get a full web profile about you and your business, and access to the Trading Boards, providing an effective way to increase your online exposure.

5) Newsletters are a great way to build up a following, sign up potential customers and provide people with a regular reminder about your services. Write a simple one page resource of news, advice and latest offers each month. Run a competition or poll. Promote your customers or suppliers. Use it to build your reputation as a useful hub of up-to-date information. Encourage feedback, keep it enjoyable and personal. To help you build a mailing list, create a newsletter and measure results, look at Mailing Manager

6) Testimonials support your credibility. It's good practice to ask clients for regular feedback either verbally or in a quick customer satisfaction survey. When you have a happy customer ? ask whether you could get a quote from them. Be clear as to how you will use the testimonial ? on your website, in your newsletter or letterhead etc. Make sure you accredit the quote explicitly with the name of the client ? anonymous testimonials don't hold much punch. After all, testimonials can also give your clients good publicity.

7) Cold calling can send shivers down your spine! However, it is a highly targeted way to promote your business. Don't expect to close a deal over the phone ? again this is about finding out information as much as selling. Use phone calls as the first step to getting to know your prospective clients better. Don't make a full pitch but arrange an appointment or ask permission to send on further materials about your business. And remember to speak s-l-o-w-l-y! For a Cold Calling Crash course to get you over your fears and anxieties, take a look at Do Your Own PR.

8) Referrals are a valuable and inexpensive way to find new clients. It's not about being pushy, it's about building long term business relationships based on trust. Start by asking each of your clients or suppliers for three contacts of other people who might like to find out more about your business. You could offer to reciprocate and provide three useful contacts in return. Make it a regular habit to give referrals as well as ask for them. For an effective referral marketing system, visit 1quickreferral

9) Press releases must be targeted. There is little point sending round a generic press release to hundreds of newspapers. Start by focusing on five publications ideal for your target market. Read back editions thoroughly ? understand what kind of stories they like to publish and the style of language they use. Find a relevant news hook and tailor your press release specifically for each publication. The first paragraph is key and must provide the who, what, where, when and why of your story. For excellent tips on writing press releases visit Bizhelp24 .

10) Patience and persistence are the most important tools to promote your small businesses! If you try each of the strategies above and build them into a regular marketing plan, you will certainly boost your profile, without a doubt!

Article written by Jo Hill, For further resources and tips on marketing visit Affinity Trading Network.

---

8 Instant Ways to Create Consistently Successful Marketing Campaigns

It's almost a given that when I speak to a... Read More

How to Turn Your Marketing Into a Money-Making Machine - Setting The Stage For Successful Marketing

Powerful Marketing has become elusive to many companies seeking strong... Read More

Mailing Lists ? Keeping it Simple

The right direct mailing list targets people who want your... Read More

10 Ways to Get Your Flyers Noticed

An inexpensive way to promote your services is to createvarious... Read More

Teaming Up Marketing and Sales

The Pitchers: SalesLet's say you have a new baseball team... Read More

How to Manage Your Marketing Mix

Here's the deal: advertisement is not marketing. It's like saying... Read More

Creative Emulation

In business we have a number of ways or tools... Read More

Small Business Bonzai Marketing

Do you own a small business? Do you wish to... Read More

Five New 5 Ps!

NO! When I say "5 P's", I'm not talking about... Read More

Creating a Marketing Timeline That Works: 17 Simple Ideas for Marketing Your Small Business

"Goals are dreams with deadlines." -Diana Scharf HuntWhen clients come... Read More

Marketings Nuclear Weapon

Three seconds. That's what you have to convey your message.... Read More

How to Conduct a Successful Fax Marketing Campaign

1. Focus your fax marketing on one objectiveFax is a... Read More

Mortgage Marketing and Advertising ? The Magical Ingredient

Do you offer superior service, consistently close loans on time... Read More

If My Work is Good Enough

"If My Work is Good Enough, I Shouldn't Have to... Read More

Database Marketing: Secrets To Skyrocket Your Online Profits Using Database Marketing

What is database marketing?Database Marketing is the gathering and storing... Read More

What to Include in Your Marketing Plan Write-Up

For those new to marketing planning, the thought of completing... Read More

How To Recover Your Almost Customers

You'll always need to find new prospects for your business.... Read More

Direct Mail Response Rate Boosters (12 tips and ideas)

1. Mail to a different list Your list is the... Read More

How to Protect Yourself Against the Hidden Cost of Shipping to Trade Shows

Trade Shows are lots of work, but they can generate... Read More

Love My Dentist

I love my dentist! When is the last time you... Read More

Fundraisers - How to Raise Twice the Money With Half the Sweat

If your members, parents or donors wear clothes, watch t.v.... Read More

Happy Hunting!

Before you ever get on the telephone, send a marketing... Read More

Creative Marketing: Just Your Style

You've enlisted some of the traditional marketing methods to sell... Read More

How to Earn the Right

"How to Earn the Right..."Marketing your professional services is a... Read More

Marketing Lessons From TV?s The Apprentice

Can we actually learn a marketing lesson from reality TV?... Read More

Fail Your Way To Small Business Marketing Success!

Are you willing to fail your way to great marketing... Read More

Direct Mail Sales Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Some companies that use direct mail to sell their products... Read More

How to Size an Emerging Market

In developing their business plans, companies of all sizes face... Read More

Sum of Its Parts

I just spent a week at the beach with my... Read More

Avoid These 5 Web Site Blunders!

The Web is intended to help people find information quickly... Read More

Educating Your Customers

One of the biggest marketing mistakes businesses make today is... Read More

Using a Marketing Calendar Template

Owning a small business isn't easy, especially if you are... Read More

Increase Your Sales By Following-Up

The difference between a successful business and one that just... Read More