Marketing Your Company (for FREE) Online

Hi Everyone,

A question that I see (and am asked) time and time again is… “How do you generate new clientele?”  For most of us small business owners, this question is crucial.  After all, how to we develop strong marketing campaigns and strategies without breaking our bank? 

When it comes to marketing, I use two methods to bring in new clients.  The first is NETWORKING.  The second is by marketing my company online.   When it comes to online marketing the goal is for customers to be able to find your website by doing generic searches, i.e. “San Francisco Landscaping” or “Arlington Wedding Photographer”, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money on SEO marketing…so what do you do? 

First Step:  Get Your Company’s Name Out There

1.       Create a website-  If you haven’t already done this, do this first BEFORE you start advertising your company online.

2.       The three most popular search engines are: Google, Yahoo, and MSN.  In order for your website to appear in searches you need to create accounts with each search engine provider- 

a.       Google Plus-  www.google.com/+/business/

b.      Google Maps & Google Local-  www.google.com/placesforbusiness

c.       (MSN)- Bing Business Portal-  www.bingbusinessportal.com/

d.      Yahoo Local Business-  http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com

3.       Install Google Analytics-  www.google.com/analytics/

4.       Create accounts for your business using social media:

a.       Facebook-  www.facebook.com

b.      LinkedIn- www.LinkedIn.com

c.       Twitter-  www.twitter.com

5.       Create accounts for your business using other (free) sites:

a.       Yelp-  www.yelp.com

b.      Manta-  www.manta.com

c.       Merchant Connect-  www.merchantconnect.com

d.      Patch-  www.pacth.com

6.       Create a blog-  Make sure that you update your blog frequently and that your blog contains informative, useful, and unique ideas. 

a.       Blogger-  www.blogger.com

b.      WordPress-  www.wordpress.com

c.       Wix-  www.wix.com

 

Second Step-  NETWORK

One of the most common ways clients will find you is through word of mouth.  When I started my bookkeeping business I reached out to as many people as possible.  Here are some steps to take:

1.       Join local BNI (although membership dues to apply)-  www.bni.com

2.       Join local Chamber of Commerce

3.       Join local networking groups.  You can find lists of groups on your area and the meeting times of those groups on certain websites:

a.       MeetUp-  www.meetup.com

b.      LinkedIn-  www.linkedin.com/directory/groups/

c.       Networking For Professionals-  http://networkingforprofessionals.com

 

4.       Join Groups & Forums Online-  Answer questions from other members.  This will draw people to your profile and website. 

a.       Yahoo Answers-  http://answers.yahoo.com/

b.      Manta-  http://connect.manta.com/

c.       Join other groups and forums that pertain to your type of business

 

5.       Send post on Facebook with link to your website and business Facebook page.  Ask friends and family to click the “Like” button on both

6.       Email friends and family that aren’t on Facebook (or don’t log into FB that often)-  Let them know that you started your own business and ask them to keep an ear out for people needing or wanting what type of service or goods you sell.

7.       Create brochures or flyers (if you can afford it) - Stop by local businesses and ask to speak to the manager.  Ask the manager if you can leave a flyer in the window or brochures by the front desk.  Yes, some businesses will say no, but some will say “yes”.  Remember, you are trying to reach out to as many people as possible.  I use VistaPrint.com for all of my custom printing needs.  I have looked around and VistaPrint seems to be the cheapest (and the quality if great).

8.       Offer existing clients a referral fee/discount for referrals they bring in that turn into sales.

 

I hope this helps you get started.  Marketing and networking take a lot of time and energy but I think that the more time and energy you put in, the greater the outcome will be.

Good luck everyone.  Feel free to ask me any additional questions by clicking “Comment” below.