Bright Ideas
Free advice you can use right away.

5 Ways Small Businesses Can Raise Awareness

You own a small business, and you juggle a lot of balls every day. You desperately need to get the word out about your business, but with limited time it's a challenge. Here are some things to try:

1. Take steps to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Join an online expert community and answer the “questions for experts.”
2. Update your LinkedIn profile regularly. Any changes or updates post to LinkedIn Updates, so your name is out there every time you add or change something.
3. Add or update page titles and descriptions for your web page. Specifying keywords for your site is good, but having accurate and useful page titles and descriptions is just as important if not more so in getting search engines to pick up your content.
4. Give samples. Donate a small item or service to your child’s school auction (or to someone else’s). Include a business card and a description of your products or services.
5. Network. Some of us are better at this than others, but every small businessperson should have a networking plan.

Bullseye!
Smart solutions to marketing problems.

Situation: New business startup; wholesale electrical supply industry.

Issue: Need to raise awareness, and generate a lead list and sales.

Solution: After a year operating in the sluggish economy, the business needed an additional boost. We created an integrated cross-media plan for the client, including a new web site, press releases, sales force collateral, and more. With the help of one of our graphic design partners, Bowhaus Design, we developed a postcard series with a unique retro look. Several new customers, representing significant sales volume, specifically mentioned the postcard when they called to sign up for credit and place their first orders.

Client Comments:
“Marketing is one of the most difficult cost / benefit equations to prove.  I have been working with Polly Hyatt and her team of experts for almost 20 years. She has served as our ‘virtual marketing manager,’ overseeing the marketing process at three different companies. She is also a valuable part of my strategic planning team, bringing a different perspective, along with years of experience. After nearly 20 years together I have definitely solved the cost / benefit equation.”