- It’s all about the details. Have a natural, appealing color accent and use graphics and text on your website that is easy on the “internet reader’s” eyes.
- Add value to your product or service by offering a bonus of some kind, whether it be a consultation or a warranty, or something else unique to your business that people can’t find anywhere else.
- Be personable! Especially when communicating via email, text, web, etc. Today, it’s often very common to “auto respond” and no one wants to be a number.
- Start an association or charitable organization with your competitors and vendors. These types of partnerships are very beneficial when the right companies get involved. You’ll also quickly be able to separate your product or service from your competitors that are non-charitable.
- Find out who’s talking about your business by setting up a “google alert” for your business, product, service, etc. Knowledge is power!
- Strategically use web ad banner promotions. You want to make sure people click through to your website, so using keywords and less “banner-like” ads will have people wondering if it is even an ad. Use minimal graphics, and pop the text so it gives your audience a challenge. For example “HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?” – it posts the anticipation and makes readers wonder just what you are asking..
- Speak! That’s right, let your voice be heard. Record a video or audio clip and submit it to radio stations, then post it on your website and send it out to your fans.
- Encourage your website visitors to share their deals with a friend, or share on facebook, twitter, etc. Using a share bookmark is easy, and free.
- Use email marketing. But, use it wisely! Everyone sends out deals and specials, so be unique and offer something to your customers and clients that is unique to your product or service. A fun survey that they can share with their facebook friends, a personalized style note of thanks, refer a friend and get a freebie, etc.
- Have a threesome. No, not that kind! Promote another business or product with a similar audience of yours, and ask they do the same for you in return.
- Give a portion of your proceeds to a specific charity that your audience would most likely find appealing. Most importantly, tell your audience you’re doing so.
- Hold cool contests on your website. Make the prize something they could really use, not necessarily something you offer.
- Get in the news. There are a lot of “good news” websites and even your local news stations likely have a “good news” section of their show (although it seems like all we hear is the bad!). Host an event, break a record, give to charity, donate time to a family in need. You’ll have to write in to the stations or websites and let them know.
- Go LOCAL. Your local competition wants the same thing you do – local business. Team up with them to beat out the big dogs and offer cool deals together.
- Keep your ideas on paper (or on your phone’s memo pad). Even if you think they suck, don’t erase them. You can look at them and see how they could evolve.
- Link to blogs you love. The more you read, the more you learn. Share these by subscribing to their RSS feeds. Most often bloggers love it when businesses link back to their blog site, and they could return the favor.
- Publish E-Zines and GoArticles – this will encourage people to read your information and perceive you as a thought leader in your industry.
- Be different. And don’t be afraid to be different. Just because every other website in your industry has “one look or feel” doesn’t mean you have to too.
- These days, website visitors are most attracted to cleaner, simpler, less congested websites. And to the majority of internet users, a poorly built website is obvious immediately.
- Have a well trusted customer or client review your website and make suggestions for changes. Remember, your audience knows best what message they need in order to take the action you desire.
- Oh, silly bands. They are the hottest silly little things ever. And they’re the coolest new fad. So, why not write a blog about them? And if silly bands don’t do it for you, find another fad that will. Even is the fad has nothing to do with your business, find a way to tie it into what you do, laugh about it, and blog on. Site traffic could increase dramatically – and you could find customers and clients that never knew you existed. Think of it as a form of “branding” – getting attention.
- Write positive reviews for other local businesses in your area. They’ll be happy you did, and will encourage them to check out your business and return the favor.
- When you have a pleasant buying experience, email the company and let them know you’d like them to publish your testimonial. Try to get a link back to your site.
- “Soft Sell” – when you post updates on your social networks, simply tell people what projects you have going on. Your friends and fans will read them and remember you for what you work hard on every day.
- People want to know they’re dealing with regular people, too. Be totally cool and confident when communicating through your website’s copy. Your bio should be all about you, not just as a business owner, but as a person. Love to travel? Say so. Love gargoyles? Say so. Believe it or not, it’s a niche. We know you own the company, we know you have experience in your industry, otherwise you probably wouldn’t do it. Tell a story about how you found your passion. Be rememberable.
