Whether you work your business full time or part time, one of the biggest challenges is getting your business known quickly. Here are some time-proven and inexpensive ways to promote and market yourself and your business.
Be patient - getting results with any of these methods won’t happen overnight. Studies show it can take anywhere from seven to twelve exposures to your business before people begin to know you, like you and trust you enough to buy.
Promotion rule of thumb: Plan on spending about one-third, or more, of your work time on publicity and promotion of your business and your products.
Here are some real-world, time-tested and inexpensive ideas for quickly and effectively promoting your business:
1. Use A Profile Photo - One of the best ways to help your potential customers get to know you, like you and trust you is to use the same profile photo on your blogs, websites, email signatures, social network profiles, etc. Studies have proven that online audiences remember a name much quicker when they can put a name with a face.
2. Article Marketing - Write informative 400-500 word articles on your niche topic and submit them to free or paid article directories. The promotion value is two-fold: (1) You are setting yourself out as a well-informed expert in your field. (2) The informational Resource Box is used for links to your website, blog, etc.
3. Social Networking - Join networks where you will find your niche market. The largest ones are Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Here’s how to promote your business and provide value at the same time:
· Become the “expert” and "go to" person.
· Provide valuable answers and helpful tips.
· Help solve problems.
· Share links and resources generously.
· Comment on their posts and acknowledge their comments to you.
The key to successful social networking lies in maintaining a consistent presence.
4. Share Information - Join a well-respected forum used by your niche market. Commit to using your forum time to solving problems or providing content-rich and useful information. This is not the time for “shameless” self-promotion.
5. Blog - Create a blog that will be of interest and value to your niche market. Posts are like articles only shorter - usually about 200 to 400 words. Focus only on one main topic or point per post. Make sure the content is fresh (at least weekly) and original.
6. Advertise - If you have an advertising budget, then Facebook ads seem to be the new way to go. Another option is to advertise in eZines or on blogs aimed at your niche.
No matter which one of these inexpensive tools you choose to promote yourself and your business, the most important thing is to put your plan into consistent action!
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Sharon Recommends:
There are a couple books on Amazon.com I think you'll find insightful and helpful:
I'd like to recommend my Kindle book, How To Market Your Business With Guest Blogging. Guest blogging is a powerful way to become an expert in your field and attract more readers to your own websites. Here is a direct link to read more and to purchase: How To Market Your Business With Guest Blogging
The second book: Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port is a step-by-step guide for developing a common-sense marketing plan: Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling
My opinions are solely mine - I purchased this book myself and have reviewed it for Amazon.com. I am also an affiliate of Amazon.com and if you purchase through this link, I will earn a commission.
