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Tips for marketing your home-based business

Guest post by: Rene Truter

Article Overview: A good marketing plan is vital to the success of your business. When you're running your business from home, it's often overlooked or you just don't know how to go about doing it. Marketing your home-based business is not as hard or as scary as it sounds.

Tips for marketing your home-based business

Marketing is often the last thing on most entrepreneurs' minds when they are strategising for the success of their business. It is, however, one of the most important components of a good business plan, and could mean the difference between an okay and a great bottom line.

When you're working from home, your may think you just don't have the budget, the resources or the know-how to do a marketing drive. But the following tips will prove that it's not only easier than you think, but it doesn't have to break the bank either.

• Word of mouth can be your biggest deal-spinner. Make sure that every client walks away happy. There's nothing better than a satisfied client whorefers their colleagues, friends or family to you.
• Keep a database of all your clients, so you can e-mail them seasonal greetings, special offers and anything else that will keep you top-of-mind, without becoming a nuisance.
• Network online: Online networking groups aren't just a social thing. Look at groups like facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and establish a profile where appropriate. Search for websites relevant to you area of business or customer base. Many of these have free business directories where you can list your business
• Be visible in the community: Are there charities or organisations in your community you can provide services for free? You'd be amazed how many contacts you can make this way and you'll have the added warm and fuzzy feelings of doing some good
• Special offers: Depending on your type of business, think about having season specials, group discounts or something extra for new customers. Something like this might just put you one step ahead of your competitors.
• Advertise: It may sound like you're headed into expensive territory, go small, like classified ads in your local newspaper, community notice-board, pamphlets in post-boxes and so on.

One on one on Networking

In general, women are natural networkers and this can be used to the benefit of your small business. Don't underestimate the value of these opportunities to make yourself and your company visible, but no matter how outgoing your personality, you have to have a clear strategy when attending these networking events.

Networking is all about the one-on-one interaction with potential customers, service providers and business partners. When attending a formal event, make sure you get the most out of the time spent by being an effective networker:

• Confidence is key! Even if meeting new people is not your forte, don't be afraid to approach people. Often, many of the attendees are just as nervous as you are, so they will appreciate you breaking the ice. This will get easier as you attend more events
• Be strategic about who you speak to. Make a point of talking to a few people you have never met before. It's pointless speaking to only people you know, or those who will never bring you business or need your service
• Do as much listening as talking. By being genuinely interested in what the other person has to say, you'll be able to ask thoughtful questions. In this way, you build relationships that could bear fruit over time. Exchanging e-mail addresses and keeping each other updated on what you're doing could result in working opportunities or viable business leads
• You don't have to speak to everyone in the room. A few meaningful interactions are better than having many forgettable conversations. Having said that, don't monopolise one person's time, so be able to give a brief description of what you do
• Don't forget to follow up. If you've made some good contacts, follow up quickly. Even just droppingan e-mail to say you enjoyed meeting them will put you on their radar for doing business in the future

All of these points form the basis of an effective networking strategy. Now that you've planned yourapproach, start getting yourself out there.

Copyright© 2010 Business Partners Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Article Tags: business from home, good marketing, home, homebased business, marketing, networking, promoting, women



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