Do you wonder why you do not get more results from your networking efforts?  Usually it is because you are not making the most of your networking opportunities.  The three biggest benefits of networking groups are: Finding several business owners in one place Building relationships with people who may use your products or service at some time Some of the other attendees may know several people that could use your products or services. Lets talk about several things you can do to make networking pay! 1. Prepare before the meeting.  Make sure that you have the materials that you need […]

It has been said that success is not so much in what you know but in whom you know.  Over the past 35 years in business, I have found this to be true.  Business is about relationships.  Knowing people who believe in you and your work, people who will recommend you, refer to you, and open doors for you can make the difference between a marginal and a stunning success. This means that you can use your mouth to make the business contacts you need to succeed!  In today’s world, you can contact virtually anyone you need to know through […]

If you need business right now, here are five ideas for getting business fast! 1. Make them an offer they can’t refuse.  Identify people who need your skills and make them a special offer so tempting they simply can’t say no.  But be sure you at least cover all of your costs and ask them to serve as a reference for you in the future.  Some money beats no money!  2. Turn your ex-employer into your client.  Your former employer already knows your capability and has a proven need for it. Often you can negotiate to do on a part-time […]

The best methods of marketing your business in the beginning will tend to require a lower cash outlay in exchange for a bigger investment of time and energy.  Until your business is a little more mature, you should be willing to spend at least 40% of your time and money on marketing. When your business is more successful and busy,you should at least maintain 20 to 30% of your time to maintain you sales.  Too many times I have seen businesses get successful and the owner slacks off too much on marketing, thinking he has enough business, only to find his […]

And is it working?  If they continue to use one or two methods consistently, it is generally a sign  that these methods are working.  This can save you a lot of time and money.  Instead of experimenting with unproven methods for your industry, look at what both local and national companies are doing.  If you look deeply, you may find that some of their most successful methods are the less expensive ways. 6. Track your marketing efforts.  One big mistake that a business will make in marketing is not tracking their results.  Many times when clients come to me and […]

Putting all your marketing eggs in one basket can be dangerous.  Over the years, I have seen many business owners put all their efforts in one method to market their business only to find that that method didn’t work for them.  By that time they had run out of money and had no way to continue on.  Almost every one of them went out of business! Allocate what money you have to several methods at the same time to find out which ones produce the best results. Remember, if money is limited, use your other marketing asset… your time. 4. […]

Here are a few guidelines for finding a marketing mix that brings you the most business for the least money. The measure of a successful marketing campaign is the extent to which it reaches at the lowest possible cost the greatest number of people who can and will buy your product or service.  1. Choose methods that you will look forward to trying out.  Don’t force yourself to use methods that will be excessively stressful.  You will probably just end up abandoning them. You need to enjoy the tasks involved.  For example:  if you hate speaking to groups of people, […]

Successful marketers feel compelled to let people know about what they offer, even if they are shy.  It is this drive that spurs their creativity to find imaginative ways to get the word out. Without the funds to pay for elaborate marketing efforts, your own compelling sense of passion becomes the essential element that will attract business.  That kind of passion will show through all your spoken and written communication from simply introducing yourself to describing what you do in a classified ad or website.  That drive will propel you to find the best marketing methods available to you and […]

Why would someone buy from you instead of your competition?  Stand out from the crowd by finding what is unique and let your customers know and how it makes you better. I mentioned in a previous post about a printing company I bought that was just like all the other printers in the area.  I created a new division of the company called Medi-forms.  This company specialized in printing medical forms for hospitals, doctors and other medical facilities.  When I called a medical related company, just by telling them that that was all we did (even though the parent company […]