April 15, 2008
Small Business Marketing Insurance PLan: 9 Steps To Implement Now
So, what would happen to your small business if the world wide web shut down tomorrow?
It really makes you think doesn’t it? Especially if all of your marketing efforts are online.
The reason I mention this is an article posted on the CNN website back in January of this year.
Internet Failure Hits Two Continents
Imagine your self in this scenario for a moment… you wake up to check your email & web stats only to find that you can’t access them. No, it is not a local problem in your area– instead it is a wide spread nightmare through out your entire country. That is exactly the situation many internet based businesses found themselves in through out Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Businesses were brought to a screeching halt.
So here is the question…
What would happen to your business?
Can you see the danger of being a 1 trick pony when it comes to the marketing of your business? We have seen this several times over the last year or two as Google changed their criteria for search engine ranking. Businesses screamed bloody murder as their money making sites on page 1 of Google were simply no where to be found.
What was the real problem?
They had no marketing insurance plan.
A smart marketing plan is based on more than 1 source of leads for your business. So that if the internet crashed here in the states…that you would still be open for business tomorrow.
Smart marketers are combining online & several off line marketing promotions so that they do not have all of their eggs in one basket.
What are some practical suggestions that you can start implementing right now?
1- Start collecting your clients contact information, including address & phone number. If you only do one thing this year to begin your marketing insurance plan then start build a client data base. This way, if their is an internet shut down in your area, or if Google decides to shake things up a bit again, then you have a plan “B”.
2- Direct mail. Before the internet, direct mail was the only way to go to correspond with your clients. Have you tried this yet?
3- Start an off line newsletter. Post cards are a very cost effective & creative way to start a mini newsletter.
4- Pick up the phone and call to thank your clients for doing business with you. Use this opportunity to survey them and ask what they appreciated your product or service & what suggestions they might have to help improve your service.
5- Form strategic alliances by partnering up with other off line non competing companies that have the same client you are going after. Find creative ways to trade leads & ideas.
6- Public speaking at chambers of commerce & rotary clubs to address common problems people face and how your product or service can help ease their pain.
7- Press releases for local media.
8- Radio interviews on local radio stations in your area.
9- Write a book on your expertise and use print on demand publishing.
Yes, the internet is an outstanding way to market yourself & gain clients. But it shouldn’t be the only way. Start your marketing insurance plan before it is too late.
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