According to a huge percentage of the world, Americans are just a giant bunch of workaholics. Yep, that’s right. We work longer hours so we can buy more stuff that we don’t have time to appreciate because we have to work more to pay for it. There are great debates out there on this! But every once in a while you stumble across the unique opportunity to turn your passion into your day job.
You’ve signed the paperwork, crossed your T’s, dotted your I’s. Your website is done. You’re revved up and you’re ready to go. What happens next?
Are you making the most of your local marketing opportunities?
The Internet is a great place to start, but it shouldn’t be the only place you start. If you’re passionate about something, chances are you’ve been doing it for a while. And if you’ve been doing it for a while, your neighbors know about it-whether you want them to or not! (Trust me…)
Maybe you painted them a picture for Christmas last year. Maybe you’ve put your contracting know-how to good use adding a deck to your house. Maybe they’ve seen you perform with a community dance troupe. Maybe you just have neighbors like mine that tend to come knocking on your windows late at night and catch you showing your kids how to juggle.
The point is, they already know who you are, and they already know what you can do. Which makes them the best to start building a loyal customer base.
The next question is, how do you start to drum up business without being “that” guy-the one that drives his friends and family crazy trying to get them to give him money? That’s where printing comes in. Actively marketing your business to your neighbors can be done using any and all of the following:
1) Design a brochure giving the details on your company and pass it around.
2) Flyers. Community bulletin boards. It’s not a coincidence.
3) Colorful posters are a great way to catch the eye of potential customers. Remember, even if your neighbors don’t need what you have to offer right now, chances are they know somebody who does. Post these and your flyers anyplace they’re likely to be seen.
4) Business cards are the local businessman’s best friend. I can’t count how many times I’ve given a business card to a friend or neighbor that needed my cell phone number, only to get a call for a job a couple of weeks later. Networking works in mysterious ways. Make sure you’re primed to take advantage of it.