Effective Marketing is the Key

Being an entrepreneur in any business, whether it’s offline or online, requires a person to have a good grasp on several types of marketing techniques and ideas that will help their business grow and thrive. Marketing is often more than just telling someone about your business, but it’s also showing it too, when opportunities present themselves. Anyone can start a business, but it takes a creative mind to grow that business.

Sometimes, when you’re stuck for ideas, try thinking outside of what you’ve normally associated with marketing techniques. Handing out business cards and going to networking luncheons aren’t the only way to get some exposure for your product/service. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Services

Product services like Mary Kay, Pampered Chef and Melaleuca are ideal for showing off at trade show exhibits and gatherings. You’ve undoubtedly seen a lot of those booths at trade shows, but you can put your own twist on your product as well. For online writing services like resumes, press releases, sales copy, etc., prepare a template and then plug in the person’s information to show them what their customized product would look like in the end.

Products

If you’re a kitchen culinary expert, you can prepare a table top display of your delectable dishes for passer-bys to sample. Have a small variety of things for the customers to choose and be sure to include your card or contact information with the treat. This makes it unforgettable and adds a nice touch to your gesture.

There are many kinds of services, both personal and professional, that you can also be creative with including:

Personal Trainers, Spa Services, Salon Services, Specialty Clothing/Shoes

Trade shows are great for displaying informational brochures and setting up small areas within your space to display your services.

1. Give away free 5-minute massages.
2. Do free flat-iron hairstyles with the newly-released Chi irons.
3. Promote shoe sales with a BOGO(buy-one-get-one-free), or, do a refer-a-friend sale for customers to get free things like tailored dress shirts or monogrammed handkerchiefs.

Computer Services (web design, blog set-up, graphic and image headers, etc.)

When it comes to graphic designs, visuals are always the best way to promote the product. Use different props or table covers to show off the finished product:

• Cup huggies can be used to display a branding technique.
• Large vinyl banners that run the width of your space is a great visual for customers to get an idea of what would work for them.

Use visual displays like directors chairs to showcase your own business’ name and also as a creative prop. This works very well for creating a brand name and sparks creativity for other ideas as well.

The main focus on trade show marketing should be two-fold;

- to highlight your business’ product or service, and

- to give potential customers an idea of things they can use your services for

Always be creative in your business marketing method and do those things that feel right for you. When you do, you’re more likely to find success at it than you would if you just tried to conform to what everyone else is doing.

Cheers!

With the desire to own real estate property in distant lands as the dream of many-an-entrepreneur, my dream certainly does not seem far fetched. If you talk to any self-employed person, they will tell you of a place where they would love to live including places like Hawaii, an island or even a bustling city if that’s what fits their personalities.

Since working from home is certainly more than sipping Mai-Tai’s with frilly umbrellas in them, any online marketer will tell you that it’s the thought and idea of that lifestyle that keeps them going, in pursuit of that dream. And, will that dream ever come true? Well, that’s why we work so hard and dream so big, because we know that it will.

I won’t be around much today as I have a field trip to attend with my little one. It’s only my 9,340,245 trip to the Pumpkin Patch, but who’s counting??

At any rate, Mondays are of course a great day for marketing ideas to implement, so today I want to give you a nugget to try.

Today, make it a point to make at least one old contact with someone who you’ve not done business with in a while. Call, IM or email them to see what their needs are. Be preapred TODAY to take care of anything they may need. You may be pleasantly surprised to see the response you get.

Business requires constant connections. Make one today!