6 Highly Effective Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

6 Highly Effective Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses by Duncan Brodie

All small businesses have a passion or desire to make a real difference through the products and/or services they offer. For many marketing is an area of real challenge. Even if you actively marketed on behalf of your business when in employment, it some how feels different when you are marketing for your own business. As a small business owner myself who does not have a background, there are a number of strategies that I have found to be highly effective personally or for others.



1. Utilising contacts



When you start out in business, the initial challenge is to get some clients. So often people start with a blank piece of paper and forget about all of the contacts they have made in the past through work and socially.



By listing all of these people you can probably identify 100 people who you can drop a letter or e-mail to let them know what you are up to and asking them to look out for any opportunities. You might even meet some for lunch or coffee. This is what I did to get my first 3 clients.



2. Focussed networking



There are plenty of opportunities to network. Some of it is very structured like BNI while there are other events that are less structured and more informal. What is vitally important is to find networking events that allow you to connect with your target clients. For example, if your target market is female business owners, then a specific networking events aimed at that market will be more focussed networking. I work with professionals so a branch meeting for accountants is an excellent place to network.



3. Writing



If you enjoy writing and sharing your knowledge and insights, writing can be a highly effective part of your marketing activity. As well as magazines, local papers and professional journals, there are now lots of options for submitting articles online. One of the real benefits of online articles is that they give you exposure to a much wider audience than a local or national publication.



4. Speaking



If you are a consultant, coach, trainer, accountant, lawyer to name a few, speaking can be a highly cost effective and time efficient way of marketing. Yes it takes some time to pull together a speech but you can use it over and over again. The other major benefit is that your marketing is one to many rather than one to a few with networking.

5. Blogging



This is not one of the strategies that I have used myself but is incredibly popular. Some people just blog while there are others who combine a blog with a podcast.



6. Trade shows and exhibitions



With trade shows and exhibitions you can either decide to exhibit or just even visit. This can be one of the more expensive options but can be highly valuable for product based businesses or service businesses that are well understood like telemarketing or banking.



There are numerous options open to you when it comes to marketing your business. Get creative and start identifying at least 3 channels to market that will have the greatest impact for your business.


Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements (G&A) works with professionals and progressive organisations who want to achieve more success. Sign up for his free e-course and monthly newsletter at http://www.goalsandachievements.co.uk/


Article Directory: Article Dashboard

7 Reasons You Need Business Credit

Seven Reasons Why You Need Business Credit

Have you ever noticed that it is a lot easier to borrow money when you don't need it? The reality is that if you are down and out – either personally or in your business – nobody will lend you a dime. If you're riding high, people (and institutions) seem ready, willing and able to open their wallet.



The best solution is to make sure you have access to money now, before you need it. You don't necessarily need cash in hand, either. Having a flexible line of credit that you can use when you need it can be just as effective.



Here are seven great reasons for establishing a dependable source of money NOW, rather than when the roof is caving in.



1. Timing is everything. At the risk of being redundant, nail down a dependable source of cash before you need it. If a great opportunity comes up, you want to be able to act immediately. If there's an emergency, you don't have time to start looking for funds. Either way, cash – or its equivalent – can make the difference. In short, opportunities don't wait. And you can't wait if there's a crisis looming.



2. Make decisions from a position of strength. It is empowering to make a business decision knowing you have a definite pool of money to work with. It brings a degree of clarity that wishing, hoping and guessing can't match.



3. Stay in control. In business, almost nothing can put you into a tailspin like a significant financial squeeze. If you have to make payroll or meet an unexpected expense, you'll have to scramble to "pull forward" anything with a dollar sign attached. Would you feel more in control if you had a pre-approved line of credit that you could tap if and when an emergency occurred?



4. Changing market conditions. In recent months, top mortgage lenders have closed their doors or severely cut back programs for home buyers. Forclosures are high. The current housing and mortgage environment is creating pressure on business in general. Unsecured credit is almost impossible to find. If you can find a line of credit today, don't wait.



5. Convenience. What could be more convenient than having a pre-approved line of credit available that you can use with the ease of writing a check? You certainly don't want to jump through a lot of hoops every time you need to use the money. For most people, ease of use, minimal hassles, and clear step-by-step processes are worth the investment. After all, how much is your time and peace of mind worth? Find a line of credit that is easy to get and easy to use.



6. Separate your personal assets from your business. Many entrepreneurs and small business owners fall into the trap of using their own money and credit to build their business. This can have a serious impact for the business owner. Consider the implications. A business owner's personal assets and credit can be eaten up quickly if he or she acts as the bank. Also, personal debt can slam your debt-to-income ratios, which could limit you if you wanted to buy that new dream home. Create a line of credit for your business, instead.



7. Use Other People's Money. Leverage is the name of the game. While you have to consider the cost of money, the leverage you gain by being able to use OPM can make the difference in creating wealth and positioning your business for success. A business line of credit can provide start-up capital, consolidate debt, fund business growth, and replace personal money used to fund business expenses.

---

For More Information: info@www.GetBusinessLinesofCredit.com To apply for a business line of credit: http://www.getbusinesslinesofcredit.com/