10 Things to Remember When Promoting your Business

For business owners, marketing and promoting your business is something you will (or should do) year round and not only when times are tough. So it is good to keep in mind some key things to remember to help you when you are promoting your business on and off the internet.

Keep it balanced

1-The world is not all about your business. Every time someone sees you or when you meet someone for the first time, do not go in directly with the sell. Don’t constantly talk about your latest products and services but take the time to offer tip, suggestions and resources to showcase your expertise and knowledge.

2-You do have the right to toot your own horn. You can share your successes and wins. Remember to ask others to share their successes with you. Celebrate with them. This adds another human and personal element to your networking.

3- Don’t be shy – As I mentioned above, you don’t want to constantly be talking about yourself but you don’t want to be a hermit and not offer suggestions and even say hello to others within a group. Everyone has something to contribute (and that includes you). No one will know about you and your business, if you don’t let them know you are there.

Make friends

4 – Connect and Build Relationships– Yes, you are going to say, well, Teresa that is called networking. Yes, true. However, get to know people and be helpful. Ok, I guess I have said that many a times in this post. Create lasting relationships with people by asking about them, what they like, what they don’t like, become their resource for your industry.

5 – Get to know your customers - Everyone in business is trying to get their products and services out there to their customers but if you are ahead of the curve and really know your customers, you will be the one who will be more likely to receive the customers.

6- Go after it – If you see an advertisement about upcoming event that you could be a part of in some way, make the phone call or go see the person in charge to see how you can become involved.

I did a article in Sparkplugging awhile back about Cheering Section. Be sure you create a solid cheering section so they will be willing and readily support you in your promotional efforts.

Show & Know your stuff

7-Pay attention – Keep an eye on what is going on in your industry, what is the “new thing” and who is doing what. One way to do this is by going to Google and search “Top 10, 20, 50 or 100 blogs in <your industry> and see what comes up. Visit these sites, connect with blog and podcast hosts and website owners.

8- Watch the market, but don’t panic – When things are slow in your business, don’t panic and start discounting your services/products. Instead, turn it around and give them a gift to show your appreciation to your customers. It is a nice surprise and you will probably receive a nice gift in return – their business.

9- Be creative –There are many ways to promote your business these days, try some done a bit differently, such things such as Fun Car Tattoos or Customized M&M’s .

10- Be yourself - Don’t forget who you are, why you are in business and keep your passion in the forefront. Display your integrity and honesty within business. People do business with people they can trust and respect.

There are many things to shuffle in the business world. Promoting your business is a non stop ongoing task no matter the status of your business. You need to be mindful of various ideas to liven up the promotion efforts in your business.

Teresa Morrow is on the Florida Board of Advisors with The WECAI Network ™ (http://www.wecai.org) and Editor at Large at WE Magazine for Women ™ (http://www.wemagazineforwomen). And recently, she has been accepted as a regular contributing writer for Sparkplugging. Since late 2004, she has developed strong connections with others on the internet and shares her passion with her clients. She enjoys writing, networking and creating beneficial connections for others.

Teresa started her company, Key Business Partners, as a virtual assistance company based on her over 15 years experience in executive administrative positions. Key Business Partners has evolved to an online promotion company for authors, speakers and writers where she puts the promotional pieces together for her clients so they can concentrate on core business tasks. She cares about her clients and is available for 20 minute free consultation. You can contact her via email at keybusinesspartners@verizon.net or visit her website at http://www.keybusinesspartners.com.