Your Online Business Planning Session: Part Four

So you’ve come a long way in putting together your plan. Feels good, doesn’t it? It will feel better once you secure some business. That brings us to our

Marketing Approach

Honestly, this post could be a book. In fact, it is. Once I’m done editing it, anyway. So this isn’t going to be a comprehensive guide to building a marketing plan. This is more of a quick-and-dirty list of ways to reach clients.

For this exercise, your goal is to identify ways in which you will contact clients. Not could contact – will. We’re into action.

Email. It’s the easiest way to pop a note off to a client. It’s also the easiest way to be ignored. Unless you’ve done your homework and have crafted a killer letter of introduction that shows you know this client, you’ll need at least one more way to reach clients. Try

Mailed brochures. You’re running a business. Businesses need brochures. They’re easy to create, easy to print (hire a professional for the printing – don’t chance runny ink), and easy to mail. Plus they make you look like a professional and not a dabbler.

Phone calls. Some clients simply will not answer an email. I’ve come across lots of clients who would rather pick up the phone and hear a live person. Phone calls give you an advantage over emails – they put a voice and personality to your name. I use phone calls as a second contact option. They’ve contacted me about a project, so now I can take it to the phone and convince them with my personality that I’m their writer.

Newsletters. What a great way to invite clients to get to know you before hiring you! Sending out a newsletter via email or snail mail is a super way to share valuable information and show your expertise on various topics.

Social media. How easy is this? Meet your clients on Twitter, follow them on LinkedIn, and share ideas via forums and tweetups. Plan your social media promotions just like you would any other promotion. Know that social media should needs a more informal approach, and the goal is to befriend and get to know clients, not browbeat them into hiring you.

In person. Remember actually meeting people? It still remains a super way to personalize your client communications. People want to know with whom they’re doing business. They want a tangible being sometimes, and if you’re able to meet them – even if it’s meeting them at a coffee shop or at a business event – you increase your name recognition with them. Try mixing a few in-person meetings in with your usual marketing approach.

Your website. If you don’t have one, you’re missing a ton of opportunity to connect with clients instantly. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just professional looking. If you don’t trust your design skills, get a professional designer to handle it.

What other ways can you reach out to clients?

Tomorrow: New Skills