Thread: Stuck in a rutt...

I started a small business, about 6 months ago. I have done a decent amount of sales, but nothing major. I'm ready to take my business to the next level. As of now, I'm relying on word of mouth to get my business out into the public, I have and a facebook page also.*

I feel as if I'm in a rutt not really going anywhere. What should I do? I'm trying to re focus, but I can't get the monkey off my back.*

(Sorry for the vague description of my business, I don't want to step on any toes or get ran off this site!)

Thanks
Mike

I find when I'm in a rut I'll go out to networking events and generally just meet up with people. You need to get out there for anything to come your way.

Buy and read Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson. The stuff works.

Be seen. Look at your customer demographics and whom they associate with. Since you have word of mouth referrals, use that as a guide to where you want to be.

Get a Twitter account and search for competitors, especially local ones. Follow their followers. Post about the value and problem solving capability your business provides. Don't talk about you and your company. Talk about what your company can do for them. Offer tidbits of non-salesman like information that upholds your superior knowledge in your field. That builds trust. You want the "wow that worked, what else do they have that can help me with this" reaction. You want to interest people to seek you out.

Maybe some kind of website? I don't know how much of your business is local vs. nationwide and if that would be a good place to branch out into?

My business is mostly local, Im located southeast of Houston, Texas. So my local area is pretty big. My biggest problem no doubt is just getting my name out there. Matt I look at ADV.1's marketing at its pure gold, I none the less love yalls style of this.

When do you stop relying on word of mouth, and start promoting?


Ill go get that book tonight.

thanks

You never stop relying on word of mouth advertising. It is simply one tool among many.

Radio ads could be beneficial and are usually very cheap. Thirty second spots on local radio here are only $5 for pre-recorded ads. Slip in some testimonials on your site and in your ads to boost customer confidence.

Website is your best bet, a full setup including email campaign would do you good

Originally Posted by tubby

Get a Twitter account and search for competitors, especially local ones. Follow their followers. Post about the value and problem solving capability your business provides. Don't talk about you and your company. Talk about what your company can do for them. Offer tidbits of non-salesman like information that upholds your superior knowledge in your field. That builds trust. You want the "wow that worked, what else do they have that can help me with this" reaction. You want to interest people to seek you out.

Very well said Tubby! You want them to notice you, pick your company out among all of the others.