Does Your Target Market See You? Turn up the Wattage
by Beth Woodward
Published on this site: July 8th, 2005 - See
more articles from this month...
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.
- 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.
- 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 5 shine.
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 http://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. http://www.ezinearticles.com
and http://www.authorconnection.com.
There are also other websites that have a range of what they
charge to publish your work i.e., http://thephantomwriters.com
or http://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 http://www.marketingontheplayground.com.
Beth Woodward, CPCC, CEK (Chief Executive Kid).
Beth is the creator of the popular Marketing On The Playground(TM)
Program, Women's "Brain" -Storming On The Playground(TM),
and is the author of the Marketing On The Playground(TM) Storybook.eBook.
Visit Beth at: http://www.marketingontheplayground.com
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