| Need more ideas to give your marketing efforts | | | | 12. Create a profile of your ideal client. Then |
| a shot in the arm? Here are some ideas to get | | | | determine what groups these ideal clients are |
| your marketing efforts moving forward: | | | | members of or what specialized publications they |
| | | | read. |
| 1. Develop "free samples" of your service. Usually | | | | 13. Find an online discussion group. is a search |
| the best samples are written or recorded | | | | engine that specializes in discussion groups. Just |
| information. Write a tip sheet or a short list of | | | | read the conversations as they go back and forth |
| frequently asked questions (FAQs). Record a | | | | for a while (this is called "lurking"). Then, after you |
| speech you give to a local organization. | | | | have a feel for the personalities involved and the |
| 2. Improve your existing advertising by writing ten | | | | group's protocol, start adding your own input. |
| new headlines for your newspaper or Yellow Page | | | | 14. Develop a "needs assessment" that you can |
| ads. Test these new headlines against your | | | | use in new client interviews. |
| existing headlines in small classified ads. Measure | | | | 15. Do a client survey to uncover your strengths |
| the results and let the winner be the headline the | | | | and weaknesses. Make it clear that you are |
| next time you run a larger ad in the Yellow Pages | | | | seeking honest and open comments and are |
| or newspaper. | | | | looking for ways to improve. |
| 3. Host a wine tasting or open house in your place | | | | 16. Become more active in your local Chamber of |
| of business. Invite several potential clients and | | | | Commerce and other organizations that open up |
| prepare a short talk on a topic of interest to | | | | networking opportunities. |
| them. Use the tip sheets or free samples you | | | | 17. Create a list of reference books and CDs you |
| prepared above to give to each attendee. | | | | can recommend. |
| 4. Request testimonials from your best clients. | | | | 18. Create a 21 word description of your business |
| 5. Volunteer yourself and your employees to | | | | that clearly tells what you do, who you do this |
| assist in a charitable cause. For example, your | | | | for, and what makes you distinctive. This is your |
| team could man the phones at the next public | | | | "elevator speech" that can be used on your |
| radio or television membership drive or help other | | | | marketing materials, press releases and given to |
| organizations with fund raising. | | | | someone who introduces you at public speaking |
| 6. Join a new group. Select organizations that allow | | | | opportunities. |
| you to get involved and meet potential clients or | | | | 19. Find barter organizations or set up barter |
| networking contacts. | | | | relationships on your own. Not only can you |
| 7. Find a non-competing business that serves the | | | | reduce the cost of goods and services your |
| same client base as you. Approach this business | | | | business needs, you will gain new clients. |
| about forming an alliance and sharing referrals. | | | | 20. Buy season tickets to a local sports team. If |
| 8. Sponsor a talk and invite a visiting expert on a | | | | you take clients or give tickets to people you do |
| topic of interest to your potential clients. Send out | | | | business with, they will be tax deductible and fun |
| invitations and press releases to alert the media. | | | | as well. |
| 9. Get in touch with ex-clients who no longer do | | | | Get busy today and build a fire under your |
| business with you. Find out how you can help | | | | business. Do something, get out there and watch |
| them and get their suggestions about how to | | | | your business grow.freelance copywriter, writing |
| improve your services. | | | | web content, copywriting tips, ghost writer |
| 10. Sponsor a children"s club or sports team. | | | | COPYRIGHT(C)2006, Charles Brown. All rights |
| 11. Give an award for the "Best of ___." Use this | | | | reserved. |
| award as a way to attract publicity. | | | | |