The Internet can be a scary place for those looking
for a home-based business opportunity. The fear of not connecting
personally with others is one concern and many people have been
“taken” by online scams in their search for a legitimate business
and are fearful to take any more risks. One way to overcome fears
such as these is to market your online business locally. By simply
offering the person a contact that they can speak to and possibly
even meet face to face you will making the statement that your
business is legitimate and trustworthy.
It is effective to market your online business
locally primarily because potential customers and business recruits
prefer to have the option of speaking with the business owner face
to face. By attracting customers locally, you can maximize the
opportunities to meet with them. You will no longer be that “someone
they found online,” but someone that they will be able to relate to
and feel confident doing business with.
But how do you market locally? Here are some
excellent tips:
Besides the common local advertising routes, such as
Newspaper Ads, Yellow Pages, Etc., another effective (and
inexpensive) way to advertise locally is to post business related
flyers around your community. Many grocery stores, libraries,
bookstores, and office supply stores offer bulletin boards for this
purpose. Make yours stand out and be recognized, yet professional
enough to warrant someone trusting you with their business. Also,
if possibly have a tear-off section on your flyer so they can take
your number and leave your flyer.
Look for events geared toward work-at-home
businesses. There are organizations, such as the National Work at
Home Mom Association, that hold events across the nation to help
promote the work-at-home business owner. At events such as these,
you can purchase a booth and make hundreds of local contacts, as
well as sales, all in one day.
Reach out to your community. Join your local Chamber
of Commerce, get involved in community events and become known to
those around you. Pass out flyers and hand out business cards to
everyone you meet. Door Flyers also work well for marketing pick
one neighborhood a week and go door to door. Be consistent with
your marketing with door flyers, too. If a potential customer sees
your ad repeatedly, they will feel more inclined to use your
services in the future. Magnets can be great promotional items as
well. You can have magnets printed with your business information
and hand them out to people that you speak to about your products.
Potential clients can keep these on their refrigerator or filing
cabinet. You can also leave flyers, magnets or even catalogs around
town in places like doctor’s offices, hair salons, etc.
Volunteer in your community for marketing success.
Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing, Inc. suggests, “Volunteer at
school events such as PTA meetings or community functions. When
your child’s school needs a flyer, volunteer to do it and attach
your card to it. Look to see where you can also inexpensively
advertise. Often ads in the kid’s yearbook or community events
newsletter will get your more exposure than the expensive ads in the
daily newspapers.”
Direct mail is another great tool for gaining local
clients. Get the Yellow Pages out and write a professional letter
or send your brochures or postcards to those that would be
interested in your products or services. Send a mailing to local
businesses that my be interested in offering your products to their
customers. For example, if you sell home décor products, send a
professional letter to real estate agents in your local area. In the
letter, describe how your products would be valuable for them to use
as thank you gifts when they sell a home.
It’s important to talk to everyone you possibly can
about your business. You can find prospective customers in line at the
grocery store, while waiting at a doctor’s office, or even while
playing at the park with your children. Let others know that you are
excited about it and believe in it. If the people around you hear the
excitement in your voice, they may become excited about your business,
too! You’ll be rewarded with more sales and a business that prospers
from year to year.
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