30-Minute Marketing

Marketing your small business takes tons of time, years of experience, and lots of money, right? WRONG! Anyone can learn effective marketing techniques that are simple, inexpensive, and best of all, quick! This summer, get in the habit of regularly marketing your biz! The following are some marketing techniques that you can accomplish in 30 minutes or less. Pick a few that appeal to your style. Then, write down each one on your calendar on a specific day you so you WILL accomplish this task.

Type up a list of your top five favorite seasonal tips related to your business and send it to your local paper. Invite the news editor to run the tips along with your contact information in an upcoming issue.

The next week, follow up that letter with a phone call to that editor. Make it short, sweet, and to-the-point. Tell her what you do for a living and what you can contribute to the paper. Offer to be a resource in the future.

Spend 30 minutes online researching local networking groups. Make a list of those that interest you. Next week, spend 30 more minutes contacting those you might consider joining.

Scan your Yellow Pages for companies that might be sources of referrals. Make a list. Another day, spend 30 minutes contacting some of these professionals via phone or e-mail to see if informal, mutually beneficial partnerships or cross-referral programs could be formed.

Write your 60-second commercial so, when introduced to people, you can easily and articulately explain what you do for a living.

Send your top five favorite tips (make them season specific) via e-mail to your database. Don't forget to include your contact info and a "call to action." Try, "Call me today to schedule a hands-on consultation," or "Call today to take advantage of my summer special."

Develop a simple incentive program for current clients, encouraging them to refer their family and friends to you. Draft a note and send via e-mail or create a postcard to send via postal mail.

Contact another small business owner in the same line of work in your area that offers a service that you don't. Agree to send business to each other whenever possible.

Send a thank-you card to past clients. Include a coupon for 10% off or a free gift (a simple organizing product is nice) with their next purchase.

Sara Pedersen, author of the FREE e-zine "The Marketing Fairy's Guide to Simple Self Promotion," is a professional organizer and marketing specialist. She helps small business owners make their marketing dreams come true. Sign up today at http://www.time2organize.net to receive your FREE monthly subscription.

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