STOP INTERUPTING!

Interruption marketing is the "olden days" way of getting potential clients' attention, and it just doesn't work like it used to. Some examples of this include tele-marketers and radio ads. It can be annoying because it usually interupts you right in the middle of something (usually those annoying calls come right at dinner time). Regardless, the interruption doesn't make you feel  excited about the product or service from the very beginning.

In small business today the world of interruption marketing is quickly dying and is being replaced with permission-based marketing. As a small business owner, you can make these changes in your business now to see results tomorrow.

Basically up to this point, everything you know or have been doing with interruption marketing is wrong. For one reason above all others - clients are already overwhelmed and feeling attacked with information overload. So instead, you'll need to get them to "raise their hands" and sign up for more information from you.

Using special tools on your website, you get them to "raise their hands" by signing up for your free offer, VIP mailings, or whatever you're using to entice them to ask for more (not just a free consultation). Then you use this to educate your clients about your story, what makes your products and services different, and what you can do to give them the results they want. This converts them to paying clients much more than hoping for luch that your interruption marketing will work!

Fun!

I know. You love what you do. You started your business because you have a talent and passion for what you do. You're great at what you do ....

But you also started your business to make some real money so that you don't have to work for someone else. You didn't want to work a regular "job" anymore.

Right?

You already know how passionate I feel about being a business owner. You know how important it is to truly care about your clients and customers, and want to serve them in your business.

But, let's face it. It's also FUN making money.

Because everything you want to do in life (well, almost everything) costs money. So, in order to do this and to live a fuller life, I want you to remember that you are in business to make great money WHILE having the time of your life. You can do BOTH!

If you're confused about why your business is failing, I can guarantee that you're also struggling in the marketing and selling.  Because I will promise you that when you turn a profit, marketing and selling is FUN!  There's absolutely nothing wrong with being passionate about what you do and making money doing it!

But, if you're just in business because you love what you do, you might as well find any old day job to help you use those kind of skills.  Now for those of you who are ready to not only follow your dreams and pursue your passions, but you're also ready to see some real serious numbers in your bank account, let's get down to business!
Look at what you're doing in your business.
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur, or a hobbyist?

Do you market to your clients every day with a plan of action and confidence?

Are you consistent closig the sale?

Do you make time to do what REALLY needs to be done in your business?

Do you cut out all the unnecessary "fluff" around you to see your goals reached?

I could go on for days, but hopefully you know what I mean...

Here's this week's challenge for you: keep a journal of what tasks you're doing every single day for the next week. Then go back through it the following week and ruthlessly evaluate your practice. What activities are giving you the most "bang for your buck"??
PS...If you're looking for more in-depth help with growing your business, be sure to get in contact with me at shauna@shaunacrandall.com

Small Business Marketing Strategies

The essence of marketing is to understand your customers' needs and develop a plan that surrounds those needs. Let's face it anyone that has a business has a desire to grow their business. The most effective way to grow and expand your business is by focusing on organic growth.

 
You can increase organic growth in four different ways. They include:

• Acquiring more customers
• Persuading each customer to buy more products
• Persuading each customer to buy more expensive products or up selling each customer
• Persuading each customer to buy more profitable products

All four of these increase your revenue and profit. Let me encourage you to focus on the first which is to acquire more customers. Why? Because by acquiring more customers you increase your customer base and your revenues then come from a larger base.
 
How can you use marketing to acquire more customers? (PS...I can help you with this!)

• Spend time researching and create a strategic marketing plan.
• Reach out to customers you aren't currently attracting.
• Price your products and services correctly.
• Develop your message and materials based on direct response marketing.

The Importance of a Target Market in Small Business
When it comes to your customers keep in mind the importance of target marketing. The reason this is important is that only a proportion of the population is likely to purchase any products or service. By taking time pitch your sales and marketing efforts to the correct niche market you will be more productive and not waste your efforts or time.
 
Small Business Marketing and Large Business Marketing are Different
If you are like the majority of small business owners your marketing budget is limited. The most effective way to market a small business is to create a well rounded program that combines sales activities with your marketing tactics. Your sales activities will not only decrease your out-of-pocket marketing expense but it also adds the value of interacting with your prospective customers and clients. This interaction will provide you with research that is priceless.
 
Small businesses typically have a limited marketing budget if any at all. Does that mean you can't run with the big dogs? Absolutely not. It just means you have to think a little more creatively. How about launching your marketing campaign by doing one of the following:

• Call your vendors or associates and ask them to participate with you in co-op advertising.
• Take some time to send your existing customers' referrals and buying incentives.
• Have you thought about introducing yourself to the media? Free publicity has the potential to boost your business. By doing this you position yourself as an expert in your field.
• Invite people into your place of business by piggybacking onto an event. Is there a concert coming to town, are you willing to sell those tickets? It could mean free radio publicity. If that is not your cup of tea, how about a walkathon that is taking place in your area, why not be a public outreach and distribute their material?

When you do spend money on marketing, do not forget to create a way to track those marketing efforts. You can do this by coding your ads, using multiple toll-free telephone numbers, and asking prospects where they heard about you. This enables you to notice when a marketing tactic stops working. You can then quickly replace it with a better choice or method.
 
Getting Started with Small Business Marketing
By being diligent in your marketing and creating an easy strategy such as holding yourself accountable to contact ten customers or potential customers daily five days a week you will see your business grow at an exceptional rate. The great thing is it will not take a large marketing budget to make it happen!

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