Ladies and gentlemen, I was so naive when I first started my business. So naive! I had the mindset of: if I create my business, potential clients would automatically find me and I’d be off to a great start. I was so wrong. I figured if I…
1. Get my business license 2. Set up my business checking account 3. Get a business phone and fax 4. Create a website 5. Send an email to friends and family announcing my launch, etc.…that people would just be lining up at my door. So not true. I got a few clients from announcing my launch to family and friends, but nowhere near the response I had hoped for.
I know I had to market my business, but how…where…what’s the first step. I’ve always had the hustler spirit. I worked in events and promotions for years, so I’m not afraid to put myself out there. But this was different. This was MY company. I was not just representing myself, I was representing a brand and I just could not wrap my mind around how to really get things off the ground. So I brainstormed. I researched and brainstormed and researched some more. I attended marketing workshops geared specifically to my area of business and I consulted with my peers. Thankfully, I found a marketing plan that worked for me and was able to grow my business.
So, people if you were once like me and had the wrong business mindset, please know that it is not too late to turn things around. Consider the options available to you. There are always options. Please realize that there are millions of websites, so the chances of qualified clients just stumbling upon yours is low. Know that you must do the work and you must put in the time. Attend workshops, attend webinars, sign up to forums that is in your line of business AND the clients you’d like to attract. Network. It’s so important these days. Consider LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Ryze, Sta.rtUp.Biz and other social networking sites. Join your local and/or state Chamber of Commerce. Sign up at meetup.com and network with other business professionals. Join referral and word-of-mouth networking groups. Start blogging. Whatever your line of business, there are options out there for you to market and grow your business.
It worked for me, I’m sure it can work for you. Make a list, create a plan, set a budget…and go!
Until next time,
Anastacia