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Keep It Simple
Keep it simple. Technology and cyber-babble have its place but here are some powerful marketing and promotional tips that should
be practiced often.
You can't do it all
Are you a sole
proprietor trying to do everything--marketing, sales, Web design, the actual work, filing, and bookkeeping? Be reasonable. If by trying to do it all, you're stealing precious, productive time away from what you do
well. Lose the task you like doing least or the service you can benefit from most, by hiring someone else to do it for you.
Talk to strangers
Did you grow up
learning that we shouldn't talk to strangers? Well, that's good advice to give your children but it doesn't work in business. Strangers often become business contacts or if they don't have a need for your service,
maybe their brother-in-law does.
Your indispensable business card
Turn
it over. What's on the back? If nothing, that's a waste of real estate space. Make your business card a keeper by putting some valuable information on the back of the card. If your biz is bagels, list ideas for
different fillings and flavorful sandwiches. And don't go anywhere without your card. You never know whom you're going to meet especially now that you're talking to strangers.
I can't
If you really believe that,
what are you reading this for? Your mind is made up and there's no way you're ever going to succeed if you don't believe that you can. Since the mind is your most powerful body part, use it wisely.
Surround yourself with greatness
Being
self-employed is not an easy feat. Spend time networking. This is an organized way of talking to strangers. If you're a home inspector, join two organizations. One should be an organization for home inspectors so
you will be kept abreast of the laws and policies and share the overflow workload with other inspectors. Then join an organization where you can network with people who need your services.
Be an expert
Be an expert not a
generalist. Have a focus and stick with it. Refine it. Promote yourself as an expert. Soon the news media will find you because they are doing a story or need an opinion and you're the expert. Don't be shy about
being an expert.
Say thank-you
Saying thank-you is
truly a lost art in our society. Thank a client for the opportunity to serve them. Depending on the service they used, thank them with a handwritten note, promotional item, concert tickets or gift basket. If you
have a referral, acknowledge the referral with phone call, card, or simply refer the referral in kind.
Humor me
A famous person once said
that laughter is the best medicine. I tend to agree. When appropriate, add humor to a presentation, introduction, advertisement, promotion, or anecdote. People remember humor and they'll remember you.
Learn
Make time in your week or day
to read trade papers, business journals, or newspapers. Learn a new software program. Read or listen to the latest best seller about how to position your product or become a millionaire. Buy a magazine that you
don't normally read and enjoy it with a cup of coffee.
Ask for feedback
If feedback is bad,
you really want to know. If it's good, it will make your day. There are lots of great minds out there and they just might share something that you haven't thought about and would never know unless you ask.
Keep It Simple is Copyright © BridgeMarketing.com 1999
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