Your business depends on customers to survive. Marketing is not always cheap, and some methods end up costing significantly more than the revenue that they generate. Connecting with others can cut your advertising expenses significantly while helping you get more customers.
Although networking itself has been around a while, many people try to avoid it because they aren't aware how easy it truly is. Networking doesn't mean selling either. Just be yourself.
Networking is a good talent for every small business owner to have, and discovering where to network can be equally as important. Sure, family and close friends can help get the word out about your business and refer people to you, but broadening your network can help you grow your business faster. Community and charity events as well as the Chamber of Commerce can help you expand your connections.
1. Do Charity Work and Let Others Help Promote Your Business in Exchange
Charity work is not only rewarding, others are likely to reciprocate the favor. Select activities that you truly enjoy and get involved as much or as little as you want. You don't have to limit yourself to a single activity, and you can even participate in one-time or annual activities, like city or school fundraisers.
If your line of work includes a specific skill-set like website design, planning events or building work - look into ways that you can share your abilities and expertise to assist with the organization's projects. Helping out is an easy way to demonstrate your talents to other people and become the "go to" person in your trade.
People prefer to do business with people they like and trust, so getting people to like and trust you is the first step to winning clients. Volunteer Match is a website that lists charity activities and events by type and location.
2. Networking Groups Make Marketing Fun
Groups you join to network do not need to be centered around business. Of course there are trade organizations, consider alumni groups, sports and activity groups, charity organizations, social clubs and even regional associations. Connecting with people that share your interests makes it easier and more fun to network, so marketing doesn't have to feel like such a chore.
Become a part of a very active group or an organization that meets less often. Rather than simply making an appearance to activities, you can "market" yourself more easily by volunteering to be a chairperson or leader. The more involved you get, the more others will want to make an effort on your behalf.
3. Take Advantage of Social Networks
Social media is growing fast - and no wonder! This fast and inexpensive form of communication makes for a great marketing tool. Whether you create your social media network around your work or hobbies, you can use this tool to subtly let people know what you do for work.
The key is to avoid blatantly promoting your business all the time. At the other end of the spectrum, try not to share what you ate for breakfast every morning either (unless that's what you do for work). Offer your opinions or current events that will likely interest others and encourage people to return or even subscribe.
Sites like Twitter and Facebook enable you to connect with potential clients. They don't charge money to sign up and no computer experience is required to use these services. More business-oriented networking sites include Focus and Tribe.
Let others get to know you as a person rather than trying to sell to them. When you are involved in activities, you can show people that you are reliable, skilled, easy to work with, friendly, etc. similarly, these are all traits that someone wants in a business relationship, a main factor why business networking can work so well.
Although networking itself has been around a while, many people try to avoid it because they aren't aware how easy it truly is. Networking doesn't mean selling either. Just be yourself.
Networking is a good talent for every small business owner to have, and discovering where to network can be equally as important. Sure, family and close friends can help get the word out about your business and refer people to you, but broadening your network can help you grow your business faster. Community and charity events as well as the Chamber of Commerce can help you expand your connections.
1. Do Charity Work and Let Others Help Promote Your Business in Exchange
Charity work is not only rewarding, others are likely to reciprocate the favor. Select activities that you truly enjoy and get involved as much or as little as you want. You don't have to limit yourself to a single activity, and you can even participate in one-time or annual activities, like city or school fundraisers.
If your line of work includes a specific skill-set like website design, planning events or building work - look into ways that you can share your abilities and expertise to assist with the organization's projects. Helping out is an easy way to demonstrate your talents to other people and become the "go to" person in your trade.
People prefer to do business with people they like and trust, so getting people to like and trust you is the first step to winning clients. Volunteer Match is a website that lists charity activities and events by type and location.
2. Networking Groups Make Marketing Fun
Groups you join to network do not need to be centered around business. Of course there are trade organizations, consider alumni groups, sports and activity groups, charity organizations, social clubs and even regional associations. Connecting with people that share your interests makes it easier and more fun to network, so marketing doesn't have to feel like such a chore.
Become a part of a very active group or an organization that meets less often. Rather than simply making an appearance to activities, you can "market" yourself more easily by volunteering to be a chairperson or leader. The more involved you get, the more others will want to make an effort on your behalf.
3. Take Advantage of Social Networks
Social media is growing fast - and no wonder! This fast and inexpensive form of communication makes for a great marketing tool. Whether you create your social media network around your work or hobbies, you can use this tool to subtly let people know what you do for work.
The key is to avoid blatantly promoting your business all the time. At the other end of the spectrum, try not to share what you ate for breakfast every morning either (unless that's what you do for work). Offer your opinions or current events that will likely interest others and encourage people to return or even subscribe.
Sites like Twitter and Facebook enable you to connect with potential clients. They don't charge money to sign up and no computer experience is required to use these services. More business-oriented networking sites include Focus and Tribe.
Let others get to know you as a person rather than trying to sell to them. When you are involved in activities, you can show people that you are reliable, skilled, easy to work with, friendly, etc. similarly, these are all traits that someone wants in a business relationship, a main factor why business networking can work so well.
About the Author:
Bob Garrett researches small business strategies for Home Business Center, Inc., an online resource for home-based entrepreneurs since 1997. Visit the site to get a list of 20+ low cost marketing ideas.
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