Self Promotion

Getting noticed among thousands of customers can be difficult when hundreds of competitors are going after the same target audience. But, some can make sure they stand out from the crowd by doing "self-promoting". Establishing a strong brand is the first step to making self-promotion a lot easier and more effective. Your brand consists of the key marketing message you want your target audience to hear and the image (logo, symbol, personal image) you want portrayed.

While creating a buzz for yourself through public speaking, your brand must be communicated effectively so that customers think of your products first when they need your type of service. You are promoting the fact that you can deliver an experience better than anyone else. When promoting by developing partnerships, they should know what your product stands for through your words, symbols, messages, or concepts. It makes it easier for them to refer business to you and spread the word about your products. During self-promotion, you should deliver a powerful message and shape the customer’s perception. Customers should be able to quickly identify with your brand. Tell them why your products and services are right for their needs.

Other ways to promote yourself is through your accomplishments. Be sure to list any awards or nominations you have received. If you have not received any, ask your best customer to nominate you when the time comes. List any success stories you can share on your website and newsletter; this helps to establish creditability and shows off your experience. Don't be afraid to call yourself an expert. If you have the knowledge, skills, and experience, you are an expert - so let everyone know. Establishing a strong brand for your company or product by communicating a clear message and image you want to promote is key to effective self-promotion.

The Marketing Lady offers more strategies on self-promoting and branding on her website at www.themarketinglady.com. Click on free resources and download a copy.

Low Cost Ways to Promote Your Business

Low Cost Ways to Promote Your Business

Promoting involves: all the tools available to communicate that your product or service exists. There are tons of methods you can use, some require a lot of money, but you don't have to break the bank to get the word out about your company.

Develop A Promotional Plan

Define objectives
To support sales increases
To encourage trial
To create awareness
To inform about a feature or benefit
To remind
To create an image
To change attitudes

Evaluate the different low cost tools

Business Cards/Flyers/Brochures
Use when you have special offer, pass out during events, post to bulletin boards, etc. Be sure they all have your logo, tag line, website, phone number.

News Releases
The media only want releases that have a clever angle or a hot topic. For example, if your salon just opened and you want the media to cover your grand opening, come up with an a catchy angle like, "New Salon Gives Makeovers to
Make You Look 10 Years Younger."

Networking
Networking is your opportunity to build relationships, and promote what you have to offer. Attend events or organizations where your target audience will be.

Public Speaking
Contact local organizations offer to speak about a topic you are knowledgeable in. If you'd rather jump out of an airplane than speak publicly, then join your local Toastmasters. Toastmasters will help you get over that fear and become a polished speaker. The cost to join Toastmasters varies with chapters, but you can expect to pay under $50.00 per year.

Discount coupons and giveaways
Discount coupons or giveaways can be used as incentives to get potential customers to try your services.

Online
1. Can't afford a website yet? Get a Myspace page.
It's free and a great way to showcase pictures of hairstyles, post tips, share information, and get potential clients from invited friends.
2. Blogging, forums and pod casting. More free tools to communicate your brand and connect with your target audience. Give advice and/or post comments.
3. List your website in free directories.

Email marketing and articles
Add a sign up link on your website or a sign up card near your reception area. Write articles on your areas of expertise and contact the editor of the local paper
and pitch your article.

Car advertising
For under $100 bucks you can purchase a magnetic plate to advertise your business on your vehicle.

Your business will likely show significant revenue increases in just a few months time with minimal effort and budget to promote. Without exposure, growth is limited.

For more "Low Cost Promotional Ideas" call The Marketing Lady at 469-287-1127 or visit her website.

Women Entrepreneur Resource

I found this great resource for women entrepreneurs. The Bootstrapper.

What's missing from your marketing?

I was recently speaking at a networking event in Dallas, TX when a small business owner approached me and asked, "what's missing from my marketing". This person owns a boutique women's clothing store that is not getting enough customer traffic into the store. I asked her what does she do in terms of marketing and promotions at the store. She responded with, a weekly coupon mailer, weekly newspaper ad and yellow pages listing.

My response:

If you are implementing marketing strategies on a monthly bases and not getting your expected results, it's time to do two things. First, start measuring the amount of customers your are getting from each activity to determine if you are getting a return on your investment. Do this by counting the number of coupons that customers bring in each month. It's hard to tell how many customers you are getting from your yellow page or newspaper ad unless you have a special phone number or coupon code.

Evaluate the number of households, location and other demographic information of your coupon mailer program. Be sure that the right type of customer is receiving the coupon. For example, if you sell clothing at a high price point, consider sending the coupons to households with women in high income brackets. In the weekly advertisement, add a statement to mention the ad and get a discount. What this does is provides an incentive for the viewer to come into your store and shop. It's also a way to track how well the program is doing. Evaluate your ad size and its location within the paper. Talk with your sales representative and let them know of your concerns about your ad with them. It is most likely, they will assist you in developing a more effective campaign.

The second thing you want to do is consider where your store is located. Are you in a strip mall, free standing building or a kiosks inside of a facility? What kind of customer traffic comes to that location? Are other retailers experiencing low traffic as well? Take an hour or so and evaluate your store's location. Evaluate the following areas:

• The stores next to you - being next to a store with steady customer traffic is best.
• General area traffic - if the overall traffic of your location is slow you might want to consider moving.
• Accessibility - can customers easily get to your store? is there adequate parking?
• General appearance of the area - your store might be in good shape but the shopping mall, parking lot, or surrounding buildings might not.

After re-evaluating these four areas, determine whether moving to a new location would help boost the sales and traffic you need. If all else fails, hire a marketing consultant to develop a marketing strategy to help you grow.

http://www.themarketinglady.com/