SetUp Your Business

USE YOUR SKYPE PHONE:

Develop A Marketing Plan

Develop a 25-word description of your business an eight-year-old can understand. Include key benefits and how what you offer differs from others
Determine how you will find prospective customers: E-mail lists (listserv's) - Mailing lists you rent - Meetings they attend - Newsgroups and online forums - Online telephone directories - Other businesses they use - Publications they read - Radio they listen to - Trade shows and conferences - T.V. they watch
List ways you can reach people. Example: For a publication, you can purchase a classified or display ad, send news releases, pitch a story idea for an article written by you or about you, propose a column, rent a mailing list, have a joint promotion, write letters to the editor
Pick a business name that people will remember and can easily spell and pronounce
Pick five marketing methods that are suitable to your business, your budget and your personality. When you test them, measure and compare your results

Marketing Methods Based On Your Personal Contact

Direct soliciting of sales face-to-face, by phone or modem
Offering free consultations
Network at meetings and social gatherings
Selling to groups at seminars
Walking around the neighborhood, business complex or mall, introducing yourself without direct selling

Marketing Through Others

Referrals from gatekeepers and influencers
Gift certificates
Giveaways and contests
Publicity: Business and trade publications, cyberspace, newspapers, newsletters, magazines, radio and television
Referrals from satisfied customers
Sponsorships, donations and events
Yellow page listings and ads

Marketing With Written Communications

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