theSpaBiz
Makeshift Marketing by Lora Condon of Magic Hands, Springfield, NJ
Yes, this is a technical term, and happens to be my specialty. This technique is used to promote a business, when the business has no money to put into marketing and advertising. If you're hungry and want to succeed, you'll learn the intricate skills of makeshift marketing. I have come to believe that small business really means, a business with no money to put into marketing and advertising. A professional makeshift marketer is a shameless marketer, and has no problem smashing the traditional marketing model. We do not put an ad in the paper and wait for clients. We do not sit and complain we have no clients. We are always doing something to get clients. It is more of a way of life, or rather a way of business.
Here are a few examples of how I have used my professional makeshift marketing skills. They are all FREE, but require more time, energy and thought than placing a simple and usually non-effective ad.
1. I give clients upgrades to their services when they refer someone new.
2. I ask friends, clients and family, to write positive reviews on search engines for my business, for other new clients to see. This reinforces that I have the business that they should choose.
3. I have asked other businesses to donate great prizes from their store or business for an auction I had to promote my business via a charity.
4. I post advertisements for my business on other high ranking websites message boards. If someone puts in “lash extensions, Springfield, NJ,” my post on someone else's message board will come up on a search engine.
5. I list my business for free on search engines, yellow pages, etc. It takes time to find out how to do this, but well worth it.
6. I email anyone and everyone I can on MySpace and other networking sites. I give clients a discount if they mention my email.
7. I add complementary businesses to my email list and send them updates that they can pass on to their clients/employees, or use me for their referral network.
8. I go into complementary businesses such as bridal stores and give them my information so they can refer clients to me.
9. I emailed the NY Daily News asking if my charity work was newsworthy and they thought it was. I was featured in a full page article FOR FREE!! I did the same for the NJ Star Ledger and got another page FOR FREE!!
10. I donated some gift certificates to a charity organization, and I was featured on Sean Hannity’s national radio show, where he promoted my website and business.
11. I blog or write articles for other websites, with a link to my own site.
12. I have my vendors list me on their websites, as a user of their products, and let them spend thousands of dollars to promote my business.
13. I put my promotional business postcards into the magazines and books at bookstores. I put most of my info in beauty magazines, since those are my clients. I leave those postcards everywhere I go. Even in public bathrooms, on mall benches, food courts, the gym, etc.
14. I give my business card to everyone!!
15. I consider every person a client. I have made clients out of chance meetings, car towings, breakups, waiters, the person sitting next to me in the pedicure chair, bartenders, and even the Verizon guy who installed my business phone. Get the idea?
16. I make use of the big mouths. My mother’s mouth is worth millions in advertising.
17. Client referral programs develop loyalty, money and a positive buzz that is incredible.
18. Speak at large corporations regarding how my services can help them. Bring them some donuts and you have a seminar!
19. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS PRICELESS!
These are just a few of the ways to market and promote your business, no matter what business you own. If you are not a business owner, you might end up networking yourself into a better position. The possibilities are endless, and you can get as creative as you want. Just dare to be different!
You may learn more about Lora and her company, Magic Hands, or reach her through her website at www.makeupwithme.com.
Yes, this is a technical term, and happens to be my specialty. This technique is used to promote a business, when the business has no money to put into marketing and advertising. If you're hungry and want to succeed, you'll learn the intricate skills of makeshift marketing. I have come to believe that small business really means, a business with no money to put into marketing and advertising. A professional makeshift marketer is a shameless marketer, and has no problem smashing the traditional marketing model. We do not put an ad in the paper and wait for clients. We do not sit and complain we have no clients. We are always doing something to get clients. It is more of a way of life, or rather a way of business.
Here are a few examples of how I have used my professional makeshift marketing skills. They are all FREE, but require more time, energy and thought than placing a simple and usually non-effective ad.
1. I give clients upgrades to their services when they refer someone new.
2. I ask friends, clients and family, to write positive reviews on search engines for my business, for other new clients to see. This reinforces that I have the business that they should choose.
3. I have asked other businesses to donate great prizes from their store or business for an auction I had to promote my business via a charity.
4. I post advertisements for my business on other high ranking websites message boards. If someone puts in “lash extensions, Springfield, NJ,” my post on someone else's message board will come up on a search engine.
5. I list my business for free on search engines, yellow pages, etc. It takes time to find out how to do this, but well worth it.
6. I email anyone and everyone I can on MySpace and other networking sites. I give clients a discount if they mention my email.
7. I add complementary businesses to my email list and send them updates that they can pass on to their clients/employees, or use me for their referral network.
8. I go into complementary businesses such as bridal stores and give them my information so they can refer clients to me.
9. I emailed the NY Daily News asking if my charity work was newsworthy and they thought it was. I was featured in a full page article FOR FREE!! I did the same for the NJ Star Ledger and got another page FOR FREE!!
10. I donated some gift certificates to a charity organization, and I was featured on Sean Hannity’s national radio show, where he promoted my website and business.
11. I blog or write articles for other websites, with a link to my own site.
12. I have my vendors list me on their websites, as a user of their products, and let them spend thousands of dollars to promote my business.
13. I put my promotional business postcards into the magazines and books at bookstores. I put most of my info in beauty magazines, since those are my clients. I leave those postcards everywhere I go. Even in public bathrooms, on mall benches, food courts, the gym, etc.
14. I give my business card to everyone!!
15. I consider every person a client. I have made clients out of chance meetings, car towings, breakups, waiters, the person sitting next to me in the pedicure chair, bartenders, and even the Verizon guy who installed my business phone. Get the idea?
16. I make use of the big mouths. My mother’s mouth is worth millions in advertising.
17. Client referral programs develop loyalty, money and a positive buzz that is incredible.
18. Speak at large corporations regarding how my services can help them. Bring them some donuts and you have a seminar!
19. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS PRICELESS!
These are just a few of the ways to market and promote your business, no matter what business you own. If you are not a business owner, you might end up networking yourself into a better position. The possibilities are endless, and you can get as creative as you want. Just dare to be different!
You may learn more about Lora and her company, Magic Hands, or reach her through her website at www.makeupwithme.com.
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