(ThySistas.com) Those first few months in business is all about figuring out who you are, or where your potential should go, but also figuring out the best ways to promote the business. Getting your name out there is vital, and while it may seem blatantly obvious, working on getting your name out there isn’t just about networking or even marketing, but it’s about that combination between acquiring a good name for yourself, in conjunction with the right promotional tools. What are the best ways for you to get your name out there?
Start With Small, But Attainable Jobs
The big problem many businesses have is that they try to go too far, too fast, too soon. And this means that there is no opportunity to learn by your mistakes. When you are starting out, it is important to get that handful of jobs that you know you can do properly. There are numerous government tenders, as well as freelance resources out there so you can take those jobs that you know you can realistically do. It’s far better to start small, and do the things that you know you can achieve with your eyes closed. That way, every job you achieve at this point will be 110% perfect. It’s just a case of expanding your reach after that…
The Power Of Word-Of-Mouth
As you start to understand where your priorities lay, that is when you can use this component to promote your company effectively. Word-of-mouth is something that has always been important, but now, with the advent of social media, and the fact that any customer has the ability to badmouth you really quickly, positive word-of-mouth is crucial. That’s not to say you should focus exclusively on social media campaigning, but think about it in the round. Attacking certain areas that can give you a far better reputation (rather than just setting up a Facebook group) is crucial. Think about your actions, as they speak louder than words. When you’re trying to make a positive impact at the very outset, look local. Something like an event in your local park or something that benefits the community is going to encourage more natural word-of-mouth.
Acquiring The Trust Of A Handful Of Customers
Starting to get your name out there is partly to do with the offers you promote, but once you have gone beyond this, all you have left is a willingness for the customer to trust you. When we start to carve out a niche this is when we begin to understand that very specific area means big business but when we focus on those niche areas and demographics, we’ve got to focus on getting their trust. Partly it’s to do with the offers on the products and the marketing tactics, but it’s also about giving them that tangible reason to keep coming back to you. Trust is not just about delivering what you promised, but it’s about building up that ongoing relationship. This is where something like CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems come into their own, as this gives you the ability to document your customers’ buying habits.
Starting to get your name out there is a lot to do with choosing the right jobs, but it’s also about the marketing, and not underestimating the importance of trust. Get the trust of the customer, and it will work for you.
Staff Writer; Carla Moore