Guest Author - Karen Tempel

Even if you have been only a casual observer of my newsletter for the past 6 months, you have probably noticed a recurring theme. I really believe that marketing is the one key to success that cannot be ignored.

Several issues ago I vowed to attempt to complete one marketing venture everyday for a month. While I fell shy of that goal, I did manage to put marketing to work on most of those 30 days.

The results of that effort are difficult to quantify. I did end up with more new clients during that 30 day period and the following couple of weeks than I have ever had in such a short time. However, I cannot say that any of the clients were a direct result from a specific marketing effort.

Was this merely coincidence? Or did I reap the benefit of having a marketing attitude and the anticipation of a successful marketing campaign? I believe that the latter is true.

With that, I would like to share some additional marketing ideas and potential places to find your next new client. Take the ones that make sense to your area and your situation and run with them.

Consider approaching your doctor, dentist, chiropractor, and other professional service people about leaving cards, brochures with or without a plate of cookies. You may also want to approach local daycare centers about doing a demo on a parent visitation day or during parent pick up time in the afternoon.

Check with local liquor stores, wine merchants or wine clubs about the possibility of leaving your cards and a sample menu for their clients to pick up. The local produce store may be willing to allow you to place seasonally appropriate recipe cards in the market (be sure to include your contact information).

Upscale clothing, gift shops, jewelry shops and furniture stores may also provide a means of reaching your target audience. The garden club, young women’s club or upscale health clubs also attract the people you are trying to reach. Ask if they are looking for a speaker or if they would be willing to share your cards.

Some of these organizations also publish a periodic newsletter, perhaps you would be allowed to advertise for a nominal fee. Many homeowners organizations also publish periodic newsletters and have low cost advertising available.

It is important that you focus your efforts in places where your potential clients may be located. A little research on your area should help you discover which businesses the clients in your target area frequent.

Perhaps the best advice I can give you is to be consistent in your marketing efforts.