Small businesses are big business today. According to a September 2012 FAQ prepared by the US Small Business Association (SBA) Office of Advocacy, in 2010 there were 27.9 million small businesses in the United States. (The SBA defines a small business as ?having less than 500 employees? ? this would also include home-based entities.) ?A 2010 study commissioned by the same agency, notes ?The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the number of home-based businesses currently operating at 18.3 million. Other organizations say the number is closer to 38 million.?
If you run a home-based business, consider yourself in good company. Did you know that Hershey?s, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Apple, and Ford all started out as home business? And today, more than half of all businesses in this country are based out of the home of an owner.
So, how can home-based and small businesses, effectively promote themselves into the market place?
Below, we?ve noted some of the essentials needed to market and grow your business:
1. Logo. An icon, illustration or designed letter block can go a long way in defining your corporate image and is at the core of your branding. (Add a brief tagline to get your message across, short and sweet!)
2. Business Cards. Regardless of how much marketing has evolved with an array of online options, sole proprietors to shopkeepers to small companies still need a business card. Small but impactful, your card will provide customers and prospects everything they need to know to contact you ? and give you their business!
3. Letterhead & Envelopes. From correspondence to invoicing, business stationery is a must!
4. Direct Mail Pieces. Be it a brochure, postcard or postpaid reply envelope, chances are your small business will need one or more of these mail pieces to market your products or services.
5. Holiday Cards & Thanks Yous. Don?t get lost in the December email shuffle. Send a traditional holiday card to show your appreciation to valued clients or customers. Depending upon the business you?re in, thank you cards and notes throughout the year go a long way as well!
6. Web Site. You don?t necessarily need a flashy site with tons of bells or whistles (but if you?ve got the capabilities, great!) Even the most basic site puts you out there on the Worldwide Web, for all to see. And, do make sure your domain name makes sense! Keep it as simple and as close to your company name or business function as possible.
7. Social Media. You don?t need to be the most tech savvy person to have a Facebook or Twitter presence. And if you?ve got images of the products you sell or are service that can show an ?after? photo (kitchen design, hair stylist, etc.), Pinterest is a great place to pin those pix and show them off.
8. Don?t Forget Specialized Items. Depending upon your business, there may be additional materials you can utilize to help brand or further your business efforts:
- Doctors: Appointment and reminder cards
- Stores & E-tailers: Custom bags to carry out your products, envelopes to ship them
in, and/or labels for envelopes, boxes and more.
- Retail or Service Based Businesses: Sales and promotional flyers, circulars and/or mailers
- Events: Invitations, postcards, posters to promote sales, special events and more
- Realtors: Postcards showing the latest properties for sale
Image and messaging are everything ? get the basics down so you can get out there and promote your products and services with your best foot forward!
Olympus Has Fallen Arnold Palmer Invitational 2013 arnold palmer invitational Chinua Achebe The Croods ashley greene marquette university
No comments:
Post a Comment