Doc's Marketing Mojo

8 Great Ways To Promote Yourself For Free

It’s a fact, Jack. (Or Jill.) You need customers; customers need your products and services. It’s definitely got the makings of a sweet little win-win situation.

But -if your potential buyers aren’t aware that you exist, or they can’t find you -you’re certainly not going to have a roaring success on your hands. People won’t benefit from your products or services, and you’re not going to be collecting any money from them.

No doubt about it; marketing is an absolutely necessity to keep your name on the tip of their tongues, and at the top of their minds. And don’t worry if you’re on a very limited budget -or even a very very very limited budget. There are still quite a few low-cost-no-cost ways for you to promote yourself. Here’s a dozen to get you started.

1/ Get An Opinion. Contact a few of your previous customers to thank them for their business, and ask them for an honest evaluation of your services. Be honest; tell them you’re in a lull, let them know they’re a key part of your business-building program. Then, listen to what they have to say. If they have suggestions for improvement, thank them for the input, and act on the input. Heck, they might even have a paying gig for you; if you’re a valuable resource, it’s good for their business to help keep YOU in business.

2/ Buddy Up. Form alliances with suppliers, colleagues or even your competitors to offer a combo package that neither of you could offer alone, and share the marketing expenses. If you’re a write, you could get together with a designer and videographer to offer some great must-have packages, including website design with streaming video. Who do you know that would make a great team member?

3/ Self-Exam Time. Take a critical look at everything a prospect sees or hears when they do business with you. How do you answer your phone? Does your car need washing? Does your shirt need pressing? If you have an office or a client meeting area, is it attractive, tidy and comfortable? Is your desk a mess?

It’s all in the details, particularly when you’re meeting a prospective client for the first time. If it needs to be cleaned up, clean it up.

4/ Make Some News. Write up a news release, and use the power of the free press. Announce a new program, a new product or service you offer, your new hours or new policies. As long as it is real and improves the quality and level of your service, this is news that your customers, prospects and the media will want to hear.

5/ Come Out Of Hiding. Get out there in front of people. Do some networking. Take along a bunch of your business cards and pass them out like candy. From business open houses to greeting people you’ve done business with when you see them around town, always look for ways to remind people of who you are and the services and benefits you provide. Always give people at least two or three of your business cards. “One for you, and a couple for your friends!” And then, of course, ask for a couple of theirs so you can pass them along to your friends.

6/ Teach and Reach. Offer a seminar, class or workshop. Local media will often cover an interesting topic, and it’s a great way to make people aware of your services. Charge little or no admission, have great handouts and materials, and get a crowd together. Contact your local Continuing Extension program coordinators and offer to put together a training class on some aspect of what you do, or what you know that would be valuable to others. I guarantee you’ll get extra work from these kinds of activities.

7/ Stamp It Out. Use direct mail. I’m not talking about junk mail going out to thousands of people, here. I’m saying sit down at your keyboard and write a personalized letter to a dozen or so past customers, friends or suppliers. Make the letter interesting and personal, and remind them of your unique services and great reputation. You might even want to offer them a special deal or a discount. Personalized direct mail is really hot right now, since very few people use snail mail these days.

8/ Share Your Thoughts. Start a blog and start posting. The software is free and in many cases, so is the hosting. All you have to invest is your time and your desire to be successful by helping others.

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4. Do Your Potential Customers Forget About You?
5. How To Build Your Own Personal Fan Club
6. Free 2.0: The Hidden Secret to Making Free…Pay

Filed Under: Get Your Mojo Workin', Good Business Mojo, Marketing Mojo on