Marketing Tips For a Start-Up Business

Guest Article by: Susan Wilson Solovic - CEO of SBTV.com

Q. I’m just starting a business and wondered what you think is the best way to get my marketing going.

Marketing is an umbrella term that covers a lot of areas including sales, branding, advertising, online, direct mail, and so on. With so many different opportunities from which to choose, it’s challenging for a new business owner to determine what’s best for their business so you’re not alone.

In addition to not knowing what type of marketing strategies to utilize, most small businesses have little or no funds to pay for big campaigns. One small business owner told me he decided to purchase a full-page advertisement in a national magazine to promote his business. He was convinced the ad would drive lots of business his way and put him on the road to profitability. Unfortunately, the one-time ad produced fewer than a dozen inquiries and the cost nearly put him out of business. The moral of this story is that sometimes the simplest marketing approaches are not only less expensive, but also more effective in building your business.

Good marketing decisions require MACS - Massive Amounts of Common Sense. I don’t know what type of business you have or who your customers are, but if you try using good old common sense, you’ll find hundreds of marketing opportunities. To get you started, let me give you some examples.

Networking is one of the quickest and easiest ways to start marketing your business. Get out of your office and get involved in organizations and events where you can meet your potential customers. Don’t expect a sale every time you hand out your business card, however. An SBTV.com viewer recently wrote she had attended a couple of networking events, but explained they didn’t work for her. When I inquired as to why she said, “I handed out lots of cards but I didn’t get any business.”

Good networking takes time because it’s about building relationships, not hounding people for business. People do business with people they know and trust. Not everyone you meet is going to be a potential customer, however, they may be able to recommend you or open a door with someone who is.

Cross promotions with synergistic businesses are another inexpensive way to market your business. For example, if you have a hair salon you could give your clients a 10% off coupon from a nearby clothing store and the clothing store could do the same for you. It’s a win-win for both businesses because you are rewarding your customers with a little something extra.

Finally, make sure you have a professional looking web site. When was the last time you picked up a printed phone book to find a particular type of business? I never use phone books anymore because I search for a business via the Internet. If you don’t have an Internet presence, you are missing business opportunities.

Hopefully these ideas will get you started with your marketing efforts. Good luck.
..
Susan Wilson Solovic, esq. is the CEO and co-founder of SBTV.com — small business television. Known as the “Small Business Diva”, Solovic has authored several best-selling books including “The Girls’ Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business” and “Reinvent Your Career: Attain the Success You Deserve and Desire.”

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Wilson_Solovic