Ever been asked what you want most for your business? Is not the answer always more money or more clients? With the ebbs and flows of new business opportunities, having clients in the pipeline is critical to long-term business success.
Getting clients and growing your business takes "heart." It also takes the willingness to step outside your comfort zone, network, speak to the masses, and more. So what should you do? Here are some things you may not be thinking about doing to grow your business.
1. Send a quarterly email to one's contact list to get more leads.
Quick question. Of the top 5 friends you have in your life, can you tell me what they all do for a living? If you can say what they do, then a round of applause is owed to you. But most people cannot. People don't always keep track of what others are doing in their professional life. So, do this.
Create a freebie. Something informative or fun that someone of your target audience would enjoy. Tell your contacts that you have this freebie and that you would be willing to share it. Let them know you will share it with them to share it with someone who would enjoy the material. This way, you are not selling your business but proving your value. It's also a great way to make an introduction.
2. Dig your heels in on getting your family and friends on board because if you've got them, use them.
Now, my first step said to email everyone. Next, you are to post on your own social media page, and not just your business page, about your business once a week. Also, text your friends and family members, asking them to share your social media posts and website on their Facebook page. If you are like me, people who are close are always saying they are willing to help. It is time to put them to work.
3. Reach out to complementary businesses, and establish a co-marketing relationship.
Sometimes, it's not about whom you know, but who knows the people whom you want to know — you want to make friends with those people. For example, a website designer can partner with a brand strategist if they do not offer brand strategies. Your creativity would be the only limit to this marketing arrangement. Some great ways to cross-promote include:
Guest blogging on each other's blogs.
Sharing feature spots on each other's newsletters.
Offering special promotions to the audiences of each other's businesses.
The Bottom Line
It is time to get savvier with your marketing. I hope this article makes you think of new ways to approach your business growth. I hope it reminds you always to be promoting and that you can tap your network in creative ways.
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