Where do you begin if you want to promote your business, its products or services in the Greater Philadelphia area?
First, get out there and network. Go to a local chamber of commerce meeting. If you're a woman business owner, find a women's networking group in your area. Hook up with a networking group such as Meetup or LeTip. Offer to be a guest speaker at a Rotary, PTO or other community meeting.
Think like a politician. Be a presence (have a booth/table) at local community events. And if you do, be sure to have signage, marketing materials and a sign-in sheet to capture the contact information of potential customers. You also may want to hand out freebies with your company's name/logo on them. Don't forget to follow up - send a simple email or make a quick phone call thanking each person for stopping by your booth.
Start branding your business - in print and online. Have professional brochures and/or fliers printed that you can leave at locations in your area. Check with your library - many libraries offer bulletin boards for free posting of community news and happenings. If you're on the road a lot, have magnetic signs made for your vehicle.
Even if you're not selling your product/service online, you need an online presence. Sites such as GoDaddy.com have templates that make it easy to get started and monthly fees for hosting your site are reasonable.
Once you have a site, submit it to the search engines and business directories. Write articles for your site - and others - that position yourself as an expert in your field. Links from other sites to yours will boost your ranking in the search engines.
Get to know the local media. While you may have your sights set on the Philadelphia Inquirer, start with your community publications first. These smaller publications are usually short-staffed and are looking for news items. In Bucks County, for example, the Courier Times business section runs a feature article a local business each week. If you can tie in to a current issue in the news, such as the lagging economy, even better. Of course, you always can pay for advertising as well. Remember, it's a business write-off.
If you have a brick-and-mortar business, have signage that shouts "Grand Opening" so that passers-by will know you exist.
Don't forget word-of-mouth marketing. Tell all your friends about your new business, and encourage them to spread the word.
That's a quick overview - think of it as Small Business Marketing 101. In future articles, we'll take an in-depth look at the topics discussed here - and much more.
Comments
I have a small business which I never promoted, but lately have deicded to try and really make some bucks! I've done some of the things you suggest, but am now ready to do some of the other ideas you have. Thanks for this article!
Great article! I just started attending local Chamber of Commerce meetings and found a local woman's networking group. Thanks for your ideas and suggestions.
Darcy -
Good luck with this venture! This is great timing for me to get some tips from you on how to market the new skin care line from the creators of Proactiv that I have teamed up with! Imagine if we could have had a percentage of the Proactiv BILLION dollar Proacitv pie...
I would appreciate suggestions on how to promote my personal website for this groundfloor opportunity!!!!! This is a nationwide opportunity not to be missed!
We have a dermatological nurse on call to answer skin care questions and a 60 day 100% money back guarantee on products,
www.PerfectSkin4U@gmail.com
Janet Perfetti
(423) 894-5567
Chattanooga, TN
Darcy,
Thanks for your right on comments. BTW: M family lives in Reading, PA and I was born there too. Been in Los Angeles since 1975.
As a marketing strategist for experts and authors for the past 18 years and owner of www.speakerservices.com we advocate speaking as a part of a biz owners marketing plan.
Speaking is a great way to your grow business and income not to mention lead generation, selling services and products.
We offer training and marketing services for professionals.
Take a look at our speakers listed in the directory see how we position them www.speakerservices.com
LeTip International is the world's largest, professional business leads organization. Since 1978, LeTip programs have helped over 50,000 members, throughout the United States and Canada, build business success through personal referrals.
LeTip International's structure set the standard in the word-of-mouth referral industry. Members are known for their professionalism, dedication, and loyalty to one another, and to the LeTip Program.
LeTip Chapters meet weekly to exchange qualified leads, build solid business relationships, develop strong presentation skills and become proficient networkers. Only one representative of any given profession is accepted into a chapter, and members are chosen for their occupational expertise. You can find a chapter by visiting www.letip.com. You may visit the chapter and if it is a match and they don't already have your category represented you may join. If they already have your category check with the LeTip Regional Director and they can assist.
Darcy:
Congrats on your first article. I'll sign up to follow you.. Nice job.
Curt
Hi Darcy-
Great article and congrats on the new venture.
I've also found that an e-zine (e-mail magazine or a newsletter) is an effective way of promoting one's business. that's probably an article in an of itself... just an idea... hope you're doing well.
v
CONGRATULATIONS!
GREAT ARTICLE...looking forward to reading the others!
Informative article. I look forward to reading others by you!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!