Does
Your Target Market SEE You?
Turn up the Wattage
One
day I discovered that I was doing everything right. Why weren’t
the clients coming? Metaphorically speaking I was operating
at a 25-Watt bulb. What is your wattage? Your future clients can’t
see you sitting at your desk. If you’re marketing with a 25-watt
bulb your prospective clients may see you but unless you shine brightly
and consistently, you will stay in the shadows.
When building
a plan for greater visibility you want to look at several things.
1) Making
sure you are aiming your light at the right target market.
If you are just beginning in your field there is a tendency to spread
a wide net. Once you gain more experience you find there are particular
clients you really want to focus on. Then you have your more specific
target market. The most non-effective way of shining your light is pointing
it in all directions as if you were searching. Be focused.
2) What type of visibility tactics do you enjoy? This
is important. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing it will come
across in your message.
Examples:
If you enjoy speaking,
what groups fit your criteria for your target market? Then, you might
think of what groups fit the environment you enjoy. Once you have determined
that, make those introductory calls to the group leaders and get on
their speaking docket.
If you enjoy writing,
what style of writing do you like? Mine happens to be writing from the
heart through actual experiences. It is usually in story form. It reflects
learning’s and provides positive viewpoints giving others room
to grow.
The bottom line is, if you like to write – then write! Do it in
your style and get your stories out to your market.
If you enjoy facilitating what could you bring as a sampling of your
work. I have
a friend with an Improv business. She and her staff host an open house
at
different times during the year to let the public “experience”
what they do. They
invite current and past clients as well as new possibilities. In Person
and
Sampling is most effective for them to build their database as well
as client base.
I could go on but
I bet you get the idea. Whatever approach you use, pay
attention to what you enjoy and the strengths you have. Don’t
be afraid to be
creative. That’s when your uniqueness will shine.
3) Find
other businesses that compliment what you do and visa versa.
I have
just approached several coaching and alternative healthcare website
owners
to offer article content. I provide the articles at no charge and they
provide
their database with the information. It is a win/win opportunity. I
have a
peer and friend with www.nurse-entrepreneur-network.com who consistently
looks for complimentary content that will benefit her client base. She
has already requested this article be on her database before it’s
ready to go. There are many publishers on the Internet that will place
your article on their website at no charge for other business owners
to pick up. i.e. www.ezinearticles.com and www.authorconnection.com.
There are also other
websites that have a range of what they charge to publish your work
i.e., www.thephantomwriters.com or www.getslightlyfamous.com. (provides
the Slightly Famous Marketing Plan Guide for free when you sign up for
their free newsletter)
What will
you do to be seen? Think about what you enjoy, what is most
effective for your product or service and get out there and DO IT! Consistency
is the key. Choose one or two marketing approaches, stick to the plan
and work it. You will be happy with the results.
To learn more about
finding the marketing style that fits best for you see www.marketingontheplayground.com.
Copyright ©
Beth Woodward, Pinnacle Coaching Associates
Beth Woodward,
CPCC, CEK (Chief Executive Kid). Beth is the creator of the popular
Marketing On The Playground™ Program, Women’s “Brain”
–Storming On The Playground™, and is the author of the Marketing
On The Playground™ Storybook…eBook. Visit Beth at http://www.marketingontheplayground.com