How to Promote Your Small Business for Less Than $500
As the global economy belly flops and the recession worsens, small business owners need to learn how to market their businesses smarter. A recent reader commented - Eric, “This recession is killing me. Clients aren’t spending money. And, I’m having problems getting new clients. I know I have to continue to market my business — but I can’t. I don’t have the money — what can I do?”
The absolute worst mistake you can make right now is to stop marketing. Being in a recession does not mean stop spending money on marketing. It means you have to market smarter.
Here’s what I have to say to you…
Eric Says You Can Continue to Market and Promote Your Small Business in a Recession -
And, to prove it — here’s an article from David Lorenzo who teaches small law firms and independent lawyers how to make more money with less effort.
How to Promote Your Small Business for Less Than $500
Whenever a client walks into my office to discuss marketing for his small law firm, the conversation invariably starts with: “I don’t have enough money,” or “Where can I get the money to market my services?”
The reality is that money is not a big problem when it comes to small business marketing.
Here is a starter list of things that you can do today (and over the next six months) to jump-start your small business.
5 Ways to Market Your Small Business & Attract New Clients with Little Time, Effort and Money
1. Focus on Your Natural Network First
Each of us has a network of people we know, like, and trust (to varying degrees). Leverage this network to the hilt. Call everyone—your friends, relatives, and business associates—past and present. Let them know that you are on your own and explain to them the value you provide.
The purpose of these calls is not just to get business in your specialty area; it is also to convince them to come to you first with any problems that you may be able to solve.
2. Seize All Opportunities for Free Media with a News Hook
Every day, there are news items in the newspaper and on television and radio that can fall into your area of expertise. Your local newspaper editor is always looking for expert commentary on these topics. A news story without a quote is not a true news story.
Fax and mail a press release every month to the local editors and reporters who cover relevant stories. Include a business card or two with your full contact information—including your home and mobile telephone numbers.
To get a targeted list of editors and reporters that may be interested in your story — check out BullsEyePublicty.com
3. Write, Write, and Write Even More
One good way to get in front of your target market is to write and pitch articles to trade magazines that target your niche. Trade magazines are always looking for good content, and they include a byline with your name and contact information. This will not produce immediate results, but it will have a cumulative effect if prospective clients keep seeing your name and information.
You could also write and submit articles online. You can submit it yourself or use services like http://www.IWantMoreProspects.com. Remember, you want to be found online and offline.
4. Speak for Free
There are hundreds of trade associations in every market niche. Almost all of them have an annual event (some have events more frequently). Put together a good press kit and send it, along with a letter offering to speak at their next event, to the event coordinators.
Although some of these groups will pay you a small fee, the value is in obtaining the contact information of the attendees. Segment this list into people who attended the event and people who did not attend (they generally have a list of people who register but don’t show up). Organize a mailing to the folks who attended and offer them the slides from your presentation (or a summary of your speech). Once they respond, subscribe them to your e-mail newsletter
5. Conduct Sponsored Education Events
Educational events always lead to new client generation. The challenging part of these events is getting enough people in the room to make it pay off. A good strategy for leveraging your expertise in front of as many people as possible is to partner with another business that is targeting the same audience.
Many times an established business in town will be happy to host, promote, and cater the event. They want the chance to get all of the decision-makers in a room at the same time, and you will be their “hook.” Setting up such an event takes a good deal of networking and relationship building, but it is well worth it.
Marketing a small business doesn’t have to be financially daunting even during a recession. A little creativity, a lot of sweat equity, and a small investment will go a long way toward landing your first few clients.
Follow this advice and you will successfully market your small law firm for less than $500. And, you will attract new clients with little time and effort.
About the Author:
Dave Lorenzo teaches attorneys how to make MORE MONEY with LESS EFFORT. To learn how to build a big roster of clients with little marketing dollars and get FREE access to Millions of Dollars of Practice Building Strategies at no cost to you, go to http://www.rainmakerlawyer.com/site/register
Note from the Editor (Eric Gruber)
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