Marketing Ideas for the Small Business Owner that Worked for Me

Submitted by Greg Lehman on February 21, 2012 - 12:57pm

As a small business owner, it’s really important to be connected with your community and build win/win relationships. You’ll not only make friends, but also position yourself top-of-mind so that when someone asks for help in your area of expertise, you will be the first person mentioned.

A few strategies I’ve used to build relationships are:

  • Social Media – Twitter & LinkedIn primarily, have allowed me to connect to people I may not have met otherwise. I’ve found out about networking opportunities & been able to showcase my talents to people who can use my services.
  • In-Person Networking – Meeting someone in person can add more depth to the relationship & make it easier to feel a potential connection with someone.
  • Charity – Giving back is important. You’ll meet people who care about the same things you do, and most importantly help out a local cause. Give your brand a heartbeat!
  • Hobbies – Meeting people on dog walks, while playing sports, yoga or a cooking class will introduce you to them in a more relaxed atmosphere and allow you to develop friendships. Friends are the first people I ask for help when I need it.
  • Traditional Marketing – Traditional media still has a place within the marketing mix as well. Not everyone is on social media nor can you possibly meet everyone at a networking event. Print ads, radio, TV & email will all help to gain you exposure within your community.

Comments

Excellent advice, Greg! I

Submitted by Jennifer Malcolm on February 21, 2012 - 7:06pm.

Excellent advice, Greg! I personally have had much success by connecting with people via Linked In and introducing myself (I always personalize the invitation). I always thank the person for connecting with me and offer a chance to meet in person. This does take time but making that personal connection pays off more often than just a virtual connection. I also agree that a good combination of traditional and social media is a good idea to cover all your bases.

Thanks!

Submitted by Greg Lehman on February 21, 2012 - 7:18pm.

Hi Jennifer,


Thanks for your comment. I agree that LinkedIn can really introduce you to great people, but you have to make that connection. I just delete long messages that sound like a straight up sales pitch. Be sincere & ask to go out for a coffee. As you said, personalization is key!

It's definitely time well invested. Better to have 15 people who know & like you in person than 500 who only know your picture online.