Do-it-Yourself Marketing
If you could help your business or organization be more successful in 2008, you would. I know I would! I’ve got an idea for you. I have recently learned how to use email marketing in a professional and productive way. I always wondered how “they” did that. I get emails all the time that look like a web designer made them. Well if you are like me you can’t or don’t want to afford to pay someone to do it for you.
So with little effort and very little money I began to embrass my current client email list and send them emails using Constant Contact. This was the second company I tried. When I signed up for a free trial they called me the next day to see if I had any questions. This was major for me because the last company I tried would not get back to me after several attempts to get help. Constant Contact offered the support I needed since I am not super web savvy.
Building effective lists, creating effective messages and getting my message delivered to my contacts was just the beginning. I can tracking results, see who opens my email and who does not want to see it at all. This has become a cost effective way to market compared to direct mail that cost me thousands of dollars in the past. I think it is just as important to market to current clients as it is to attract new ones. Remember they are your referral sales force.
I only have like 500 addresses but it continues to grow because as my customers forward my offers to their friends I am able to build my opt in mailing list. Constant Contact manages the whole thing for me. I told my clients about it and I love to talk about marketing so here is a tip for you do-it-your-selfers out there. Go to Constant Contact and sign up for their FREE trial. Try it a few times and see how you like it. If you love it like I do then come back and post a note. tell your customers how it can help their business and send out your next email with confidence.
Getting The Word Out
It is so important to promote yourself and your business. Since their are so many free opportunities out there you do not need to spend lots of money. Keep in mind that the old saying “you have to spend money to make money” is very true. But generating leads is fast and easy. Here are a few quick tips to get you started.
#1 Always carry and hand out your business card. With little or no expense you can make a really professional card. Try your local print shop or an on-line source. I recommend www.morecopies.com for local printers in the Ventura County Area and get FREE promotional materials by clicking here.
#2 Get on-line even if you do not have an active website. Many search engins offer free listings for businesses. Try a FREE LISTING(click) at MerchantCircle. Visit other websites like yahoo, goggle and aol. List yourself and you too will generate quality leads.
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#3 Join a local networking association. Start talking to other business people who are interested in growing their business. BNI is one of the organizations in our area that seems to successfully network people and their business.
Even if you do only one of there things you will be proactive in growing your business. What do you have to lose. Maybe a a little time and energy. So start today. Bring your comments back and let us know how you have used these ideas.
