SVA Forum

caroline

I came across this idea in the bath this morning (where obviously all great ideas materialise!).

Why don't we all put our best marketing ideas on here? I'm trying to reach 101 ideas, but don't let that put you off...just list them down!!!

Here's mine:
1. Set up an email newsletter sign up box on your website
2. Hand out 5 business cards a day
3. Give your contacts copies of your business cards to give out to their contacts
4. Put your signature with website link on the bottom of all your emails
5. Network on online forums in your chosen target market - remember that website link on your signature again!
6. Send out 2 letters a week to potential new clients in your target market.
7. And follow them up with phonecalls
8. Join your local chamber of commerce
9. Put a sign up in your local coffee shop / wifi hotspot
10. Volunteer to help a local community group with their admin
11. Make sure your SEO is great (for free!) with WebCEO
12. Register for free with directories like yell.co.uk, thompsons etc
13. Create strategic partnerships with people targeting similar markets to you.
14. Visit trade fairs / new business events
15. Create an "elevator" speech to tell people what you do in a couple of short sentences so you can effectively stick in their minds
16. Try a couple of paid for networking groups like BNI, Lead Generation etc - most will let you "try before you buy" and you might make some useful contacts
17. Tell everyone you meet about your business - your first client will probably be amongst your friends and family!
18. Write a press release and call up / contact your local newspaper / magazines - try www.mediauk.com for contacts
19. Speak at an event, your local college, a new business event etc.
20. Be generous with advice and your speciality - you'll be surprised by how much comes back to you tenfold!

Next 20 please....

OfficeStuff · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

21. Leaflets in local businesses (provide a nice plastic leaflet holder) - I have some in my local beauty salon, hairdresser's and a notice in the local post office. Ladies who do the books/office stuff for their husbands visit the hairdressers/beauty salon and are often fed up with doing said office stuff!

Can't think of any more at present - your list is too comprehensive Caroline. I did join my local chamber of trade but they are mainly shopkeepers and more interested in getting the council to remove chewing gum from the pavements!

The joys of rural life.
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Carole Meyrick
Office Stuff
Perfectly Practical Office Support

ASAP Admin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Glasgow

22. Make sure that you always have business cards on you - you never know when you are going to need them.
23. Attend networking events online and offline. Make sure that you listen to others and dont necessarily go straight into what you do. Allow the other person to say what they do and ask them questions and see if there are any ways that you can help.
24. When attending events, have a business card as your name badge, if possible.
25. Ask for referrals for clients
26. Ask clients for any ways that you can change/make your business practices better, alternatively if you have lost a client, be sure to ask why!
27. Find a target market - contact them by mail, and be sure to follow-up
28. Identify new target markets
29. Advise clients of new services
30. Have promotions

Thats all I can think of at the moment.
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Lyndsey Gilchrist
ASAP Admin
Call Team

Nellie · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 37

31. Remember to leave your website address on your answermachine message too!

caroline · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject:

32. Do a marketing session once a month where you sit down, think about your clients and plan how to get them! (I don't do this enough!)

Maisie418 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 11:05 am Post subject:

33. Produce a colourful, tri-fold marketing leaflet, describing your business, to hand out at networking meetings and always keep a few in your handbag or briefcase along with your business cards.

34. When handing a business card/leaflet to someone give it with both hands, as though it were a gift - it is!
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planitpurple · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject:

Wow, I wish I had something to add here, you all have such great ideas. I will have a think and see if I can contribute anything before you get to 101!

RebekahR · Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 68

Bump - Please add more!

caroline · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:15 pm Post subject:

There are of course 101 in the SVA guide!

LOL!
http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=59854

AllAdmin · Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 25

I know this is old thread but I have just downloaded the marketing guide and I wanted to say thanks for producing it as it given me loads of fab ideas to follow up on! I just need to find the time to explore them!
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Rio
AllAdmin Virtual Assistant
www.alladmin.co.uk
Twitter: @all_va

caroline · Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject:

Great Rio - glad you found it useful!! We also recently updated to include a section on social media for VAs too. It's not extensive but gives some tips for how to get started!
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