Creative Partnerships for Small Business Developement

One of the fastest ways to establish your small marketing business is to establish a partnership with other small businesses, says Duct Tape Marketing blogger John Jantsch.

His ideas for like minded partnerships as well as outside the box partnerships can be found here.

For more information on this subject consider ordering a copy of Lorraine’s book : Confessions of a Networking Junkie

E-course for Small Business Marketing

Use the power of the internet to build your small business by offering an ecourse. An ecourse demonstrates your expertise on your specialty by teaching others about it. eCourses help establish you as a subject matter expert, keeping you in front of prospective clients, and increasing your chances of future business.

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Relationships Begin with You

I agree with  small business marketing coach Jody Gabourie, great marketing is not trying to get someone to buy something from you.  Great marketing is about building a relationship with current clients and prospects.

She suggests there are five steps to building the relationship:

Step 1 – figure out what you have to offer

Step 2 – start a conversation

Step 3 – build the relationship

Step 4 – get a commitment

Step 5 – maintain the relationship

Step one is not as easy as it sounds.  Too often I talk to small business owners, who are unable to articulate clearly what it is they do.  Before you head out the door to a networking event, send an email, write a blog post, or create a clever direct mail campaign you need to clarify your offer.  WHAT DO YOU DO?

And your answer needs to be in terms of the benefit your customer’s derive from the results.   At roundpeg we do many things: email, websites, pr, graphic design, etc.  But if you ask me I will tell you we help small businesses become big businesses. Clearly understanding our offer makes it easier for us to start a conversation, with customers, referral partners, and the community at large.

The same can be true for any business.  Figure out who you are, what you do, before you go off looking for relationships!

Build Trust as a Marketing Strategy

It’s common sense, potential clients need to know, like and trust you personally, before they will trust you with their business. To maintain your clients, you need to retain their trust by delivering on your promises.

 

I found a nice article by Jody Gabourie who offered suggestions on ways to build trust into your business strategies:

 

Give Examples – Provide examples of how you’ve made a difference for your clients’ businesses.

 

Referrals –Referrals from satisfied customers are one of the overlooked marketing tools for small businesses.

 

Read the rest of the article

How to Blow a Networking Opportunity

You return home after a networking event and empty your pockets, putting the business cards you collected onto the desk. What comes next? A follow up note is always a good start and if you were really listening as you collected the cards you even know something about the person, and can send include something personal or relevant.

However, this does not give you permission to send a sales pitch:

Hi, I enjoyed meeting you and by the way if you are looking for (insert whatever you sell here).” This not-so-subtle approach says “I am not really interested in you, unless you want to buy something.”  An experienced networker knows it may take a few conversations to move to the sale mode, but when you get there, you have a greater chance of success.

Looking for more networking tips?  Checkout “Confessions of a Networking Junkie” by Lorraine Ball of Roundpeg, one of Indianapolis leading small business marketing firms.

Do You Have Mavens, Salesmen and Connectors in your Business Circle

Picked up a copy of the Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell recently.  I have read it before, but was flipping through again, and am always fascinated by his ideas on how to create a social epidemic. It begins with three types of people: Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen. Ultimately you need to have the support of these three groups of people to bring your ideas to the market place.

Also, think about the strengths your bring to the table.  Are you a:

• Maven – with a specific area of subject matter expertise
• Salesman – with the ability to spread ideas to others
• Connector – with a broad network of contacts through which you share new ideas

Seek others who fill the gaps in your skill set to complete your circle and create a “Tipping Point” for your business.

Where do you meet them?? Start networking; Rainmakers, the Chambers, Network of Women in Business can be a starting point for your own social epidemic.

For the opposite perspective:  Not everyone loves the Tipping Point – Olive Thompson in this article for FastCompany Magazine pours a bit of water on Gladwell’s ideas.

Networking Begins with Strategic Relationships

It is often said, that it is not what you know, but who you know that makes the difference. So Who Do You Know?

Successful business owners form a few great strategic relationships. Here’s why:

Creative Partnerships for Networking Junkies

As a Networking Junkie, I love building relationships and partnerships.  And teaching others how to do that as well.   Not all my ideas are original.  Actually I have mixed my own experiences with best ideas from a number of people and made them part of my routine.

Check out this post from DuctTape Marketing talking about getting creative with partnerships. With it’s emphasis on strategic relationships, it sounds like the writer is truly a networking junkie!

So who are your most creative partners?

Sound Bites

What do you say when someone asks you what you do? Do you give a long winded explanation or do you have a short memorably soundbite?

If what you say takes longer then a few seconds, it is time to think again!

 

Keep Your Customers from Straying

How many times have you heard someone stay it is much more expensive to get a new customer then to hold on to the ones you have.  So what are you doing to keep your customers?

Lesley Spencer Pyle writing for Entrepreneur.com offers eight simple methods for building a relationship with your existing customers.  While there is nothing revolutionary on this list.  it is a good reminder of the things we should be doing every day.

1.  Touch base frequently

2. Pick up the phone.

3. Branch out.

4. Become a resource.

5. Write a note.

6. Tailor your approach.

7. Be prompt with inquiries.

8. Listen, listen, listen

Read more

Do’s and Don’ts of Rainmaking.

As president of Rainmakers, I see a lot of business owners making simple mistakes, missing opportunities by not paying attention to a few simple rules.

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Do’s and Don’ts of Rainmaking.

As president of Rainmakers, I see a lot of business owners making simple mistakes, missing opportunities by not paying attention to a few simple rules.

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Great One-On-Ones.

The One-on-One is an integral part of Rainmakers. The best business relationships begin in these one hour conversations. Here are a few tips to improve your next One-on-One, evn if you are not a member of Rainmakers, these strategies make sense!

Vendor Management for Small Business Owners

Forming good relationships with key vendors can save you in many different areas of your business.  At the same time poor vendor relationship can hurt you and your business. Read more to find out why this type of relationship is crucial.

Practice Customer Loyalty

Do you have a customer loyalty program?  If the purpose is to make customers more loyal to you, author Steve Yastrow has another suggestion.  Focus on becoming more loyal to your customers!    Full Article