Large national trade shows like this one offer many opportunities to network or meet with distributors, manufacturers or other business partners. However, smaller local events can also be beneficial. If you look locally, you are likely to find a variety of craft fairs, baby fairs, trade shows, wedding expos, women’s events or other conferences where you can promote your business. You can purchase an exhibition stand or advertise often in the event programme or goodie bag.
When you decide to spend your marketing budget at a trade show, here are a few things to keep in mind:
First and foremost, make sure you reach your target audience. It may seem like common sense, but if you sell animal products, don’t attend a beauty trade show. Attending an event can take a lot of effort and money, so make sure you do your research beforehand and make sure it’s a good fit for you. The return on your investment will be much greater if you get in front of the right people.
Should I spend my money on advertising at a trade show? Follow the rules
All trade shows have their own guidelines, restrictions, requirements and policies. Make sure you read them and do what they ask you to do. You don’t want to be thrown out at the last minute for not following the rules. It’s simple and straightforward. No, it is not acceptable to bend the rules even a little bit. Chances are you will have to sign a contract to rent space at the event, and violating that contract could create a lot of problems you’d rather avoid.
This is essential. You want everyone who walks through the door to know who you are and why you’re there. Your entire presentation is crucial, but eye-catching and descriptive signage will go a long way in attracting people to your stand.
As always, make sure everything is coordinated with your brand image and company logo. Be sure to offer giveaways that visitors can take away. Whether it’s a small sample, a promotional item, a business card or a coupon, they should leave with something tangible. Otherwise, sad to say, they will probably never think of you, even if they wanted it in the first place.
Trade shows and trade fairs are a great opportunity to present your products up close and personal. So make sure you have plenty of them. Potential customers want to see, touch and feel what you offer. This is the best way to showcase your quality and expertise.
A product or gift voucher raffle is always a sure way to generate excitement and interest at your stand. Because you have already done your research, you know your audience is the right one. Plus, it’s a great tool for building your email marketing list. If your booth visitors are interested in winning your product, chances are they will be interested in receiving your updates, coupons, etc.
Once you’ve made the commitment and settled in, how can you make the most of your trade show experience? Marketing at an event or trade show can increase your customer base and revenue if done correctly.
You need to make sure you make the most of your trade show presence. One way to do this is to promote your presence in advance. Let all your customers know where and when you will be attending. It may be a good idea to advertise to the show organisers as well, which will give your company additional exposure, rather than the usual list of suppliers.
Network in advance. If there are people you want to talk to, arrange these meetings in advance. Organise a private mini-event during the big event for your V.I.P. or others. Do everything you can in advance to generate traffic and increase exposure for your stand.
Once there, take advantage of the opportunity by gathering information from your potential customers and partners. No doubt you’ll have dozens of conversations; you’ll want to remember the details. Set up a system to document everyone you talk to and some important details about them, as well as why you might want to connect with them in the future. You can download an app on your tablet for this or use good old pen and paper.
Recording this information will help you follow up after the event. Whether people want to subscribe to your newsletter or you want to contact them to arrange a one-to-one meeting, the information you collect during the event will be useful afterwards. Like you, the people you spoke to interacted with tens or even hundreds of people. You will want to refresh their memory of what you talked about and your possible future business relationship. Don’t be shy, reach out.
With any good marketing plan, you have your goals and strategies, and at the end you measure your results to see if this marketing method was worth your time and money. Take into account things like new contacts, sales, brand exposure, and opportunities for collaboration and networking. Sometimes, one new contact can be worth all the money you spent on the trade show and more.
As you can see, advertising your company through a trade show can be very effective, but it also requires a good amount of planning and resources. Before you begin, be sure to write down your goals, create a plan and measure your results to determine if promoting your business through trade shows should be part of your marketing plan.
]]>Whether you have bought print or online advertising, the visual aspect is very important, even crucial. Especially when it comes to online advertising, you need something persuasive that will make them click. Who wants to spend money on ineffective advertising?
When it comes to marketing, I can’t stress consistency enough. The ultimate goal of strong branding is to characterise your business enough for potential customers to recognise it immediately. This means being consistent with your logo, colour scheme, slogans, typefaces, and so on.
When thinking about what image to use in your latest advertising campaign, don’t forget to keep your branding efforts in mind. When designing ads, make sure they look like your previous ads. Always incorporate standard elements of your brand, whether it’s your logo, a photo of your shop or another familiar image.
It is often appropriate to use a product image in your advertising. This is especially appropriate if you are launching a new product range or have a sale on certain items. You want your potential customers to SEE what you want them to buy. Consider using images of products that sell well in your advertisements. Use visually appealing, colourful and attention-grabbing elements.
Always use your own product images, not stock photos or images similar to what you are offering. You want to give an accurate and truthful picture of what customers can expect when they shop with you.
In the world of memes, many images now contain text. Should you advertise with an image that has text overlay? You can, as long as it does not detract from the image itself. The text should be legible and not too small. For example, you can include your company name, website address or social media address at the bottom of the image. This helps to link your brand image.
If you have to include text, it should be minimal and not a paragraph of words. Words like “buy now”, “sign up” and “get started” can attract attention and be a great call to action (CTA) if your image is placed correctly. When you take a look at your ad, you want to be able to quickly identify what you are advertising.
Always keep in mind the final size of your ad. If it is a print ad, remember that you will need to send a larger, high-resolution file. You don’t want your ad to appear pixelated or distorted. Graphic designers cannot fix a low resolution, low quality image. Also, if your ad is smaller or intended to be published online, keep this in mind. Do not send an image with overlapping text that will not be read in the final publication. Finally, if you use a product image in your ad, make sure it is large enough to be seen.
For example, a button ad of 125 x 125 pixels is a fairly standard online ad size. However, it is relatively small, too small for a lot of text. You don’t want your ad to be hard to read, or it will be overlooked because people won’t know what you’re trying to offer.
You want your online ad to load quickly and not clutter the website on which it is placed. Therefore, online ads can and should have a lower resolution, such as 72 dpi. If in doubt, you can ask a designer for help, or be sure to ask your advertising venue for a proof before your ad goes public.
Now that you know what to include in your ad, the easiest way to make it is to hire a graphic designer. With these tips, you will be able to clearly convey to your designer exactly what you want and need. Don’t worry, if you’re working on a tight budget you can try to create the ad yourself. Tools like Photoshop and Canva are affordable ways to create professional-looking ads.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, follow the instructions. Generally, when you purchase any type of ad, the publication will respond with the ad’s specifications. They will ask for specific sizes and sometimes for specific file types or colour formats. Always follow these instructions. Often, sites or publications are unable or unwilling to run ads that do not meet your specifications. You will save yourself a lot of time and headaches if you submit the right materials the first time. If you don’t, you risk running an ad that reflects poorly on your business.
Conclusion.
If you take the time to understand the important elements that make up an effective ad, you can make an ad for your business that looks professional and generates more leads and sales for your business.
Have you made an ad for your business? What tips and tools do you recommend? Send us a note; we’d love to hear from you!
]]>Historically, your business card has often been the first impression of you and your company. While it is no longer always the first impression, as many of us meet and interact online, I would argue that it is still an essential part of your marketing arsenal.
A viable marketing tool or are business cards dead? Things change, companies evolve and the world keeps turning. The same goes for business cards. Their presentation and strategy may have changed, but their purpose remains the same. They are no longer always the primary means of exchanging contact information. However, they now have much more potential.
Simply handing out business cards at a networking event can leave a lasting impression, as many people have opted out of this once mandatory networking strategy. Nowadays, however, business cards can be a good way to get noticed. It is also an easy way to make sure that people you meet have your name, correct spelling, company and job title at hand when they search for you on the Internet. This can prevent them from connecting with the wrong Sally Miller on LinkedIn next week.
I have always been an advocate of attractive and accurate business cards. Now it’s even more important that they make a good impression, because they are more than just a card with your phone number on it. They are an extension of your brand. Business cards can be incredibly creative and personalised. And they are more personal than the standard LinkedIn invitation.
That said, make sure your cards reflect the brand you represent everywhere else. Make sure the colours are the same, the look is the same, the wording and taglines match. The last thing to do is to create a mismatch. Your card should be in line with your website, your social media channels and other marketing materials. When creating your card, think about which networks are most important to include.
Where do you want to interact most with your colleagues? LinkedIn? Twitter? Instagram? Your website? These days, most of us have a dozen places where we can be reached, but you don’t want to list them all on your business card. You want to keep it clean and attractive. Sometimes, less is more. So choose the most popular places and mention them only.
Physically presenting your business card to someone is a great opportunity in itself. If you are at a meeting, event or conference, try to make the most of the opportunity. Know your audience and make sure your card is relevant to them. Make sure your card builds on the impression you just made in person. Face-to-face interaction is still important, even for those of us who do most of our business online. And offering a business card in a face-to-face meeting is much more professional and appropriate than typing your details into your smartphone.
Sometimes, I am sure, you will hand out cards without knowing anyone first. In this case, the card can really be the first impression. Obviously, you’ll want to make sure it’s accurate and has no typos. And you’ll want to make sure it grabs attention in some way, but not in an overly obnoxious way. Keep it simple, clean and memorable.
One of the most common ways to get new customers is through referrals. Business cards are a fantastic way to enhance this. If you have a regular referral programme, you can give your clients business cards to pass on. On the other hand, if you regularly work with an organisation and want to suggest them to someone, having their business card handy can be very useful to help you pass on the correct contact information.
Think about the last time you exchanged business cards with someone – was it recent? Was it memorable? What was the most memorable business card they gave you? Was it practical? Have you kept it? Business cards can be a good way to remember someone, where you met them or what they do. It can help you stand out from the crowd of people most people are ‘friends’ with on the Internet.
Remember that the quality of your business card (and other promotional material) is a direct reflection of the quality of your company. It also reflects your personal style. The design of your card is not something to be taken lightly, but should be carefully planned. What do you want people to imagine when they first see your business card? How can you make it a “magic moment”?
In an age where smartphones and technology are replacing printed documents, I am still a fan of the printed business card. I believe that a physical piece that can be kept is valuable for many reasons. It is not only a point of reference, but also a branding opportunity and another way to make an impression.
]]>Spending on marketing should not be an afterthought. It should be a thoughtful investment, planning not only how much to spend, but where to spend it.
First, let’s consider what is at stake when we talk about marketing costs. It is not just advertising, but many other things.
Do you have printed items, such as postcards or banners?
Do you buy promotional items to hand out, such as pens or notepads?
Do you use email marketing?
Do you pay affiliates to market your products?
Do you have a contracted graphic designer?
These are all part of your marketing budget and should not be overlooked.
Keep in mind that your marketing budget, like your marketing plan, should not be fixed. It should be a constantly evolving process. As your needs change, so should your budget. By researching new methods, seeing what works and what doesn’t, you can change your budget to stay within your overall business budget. If you earn more, you can spend more if you want to. However, sometimes you have to cut back.
We’ve all heard the adage that you have to “spend money to make money”. So what are the basic parameters you can set to determine how much you should spend? It’s a delicate balance, especially for new business owners.
Here are some tips I’ve found useful.
Ideally, the money you invest here should pay you back and bring you even more revenue. If you are new to the game and are not relying on previous years’ sales, consider it also as a loan to yourself and the success of your business. A marketing budget should always be included when estimating start-up costs and initial investment.
As with any investment, there is no 100% guaranteed return. So invest wisely. Research the methods you intend to use. Compare the results of others if you can. If your investment is not very successful, change your method, try another medium. Constantly monitor your efforts and organise them strategically. Don’t just throw everything at it and wait to see what works. Try several things at once, monitor them and see what seems to work for you.
Don’t think you have to spend a ton of money to make your budget work. There are many low-cost marketing options that you can, and should, explore. With the continued growth of the internet and social media, don’t overlook these options. Make sure you spend money on an attractive and functional website. It will often be the first line of contact with your customers, and you will want to make a good impression. If you are a local business, there should be plenty of small, affordable advertising options in your area. Be sure to also take advantage of press releases and other media relations efforts that can help build your business with little or no cost.
By planning ahead, you can avoid unexpected costs. If you set a certain amount per month, you will be less likely to purchase special offers or additional promotions outside the parameters you have set. You will constantly be asked for new advertising opportunities and new places to spend your money. But you can’t do everything, and having a budget set in advance will keep you on track.
Consider your income last year. Or, if you are just starting out, consider what you expect to earn this year. Basing your budget on a percentage of last year’s sales is a popular way to determine your baseline. According to the Small Business Association, small businesses (with sales of less than $5 million) should expect to spend 7-8% of their revenue on marketing. Keep in mind that there should be a plan behind this spending. I recommend that you continue to use the proven methods that work well for you. But, at the same time, vary the pleasures and try new things. You never know when a medium that has been very effective for you in the past will dry up for one reason or another.
Trends and media change, and so should you. If your revenues increase or decrease, you may have to adjust your figures. Always be aware of what your marketing is or is not generating. Responsible business owners are good stewards of their money, and spend it where it is most needed and most beneficial to their bottom line.
Conclusion.
By constantly monitoring your ROI (return on investment), you can better manage your money. If you place ads online, see how many clicks are made. When you get new orders, ask them where they found you. These kinds of things can help you determine where best to spend your money and when to change things.
What are your tips – what works well for you? In addition to the four tips above, I strongly recommend that you use an accounting programme or at least a spreadsheet to keep track of all the money coming in and going out. Keep track of your weekly and monthly expenses and income, and it will be much easier when tax time comes.
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Everywhere you look, online marketers and influencers give the following advice:
“You need to build a list!”
Why? Because with email marketing, you are in total control. Not only do you own your list, but you don’t have to rely on Google’s ever-changing search engine algorithms for traffic to your website or Facebook’s paid advertising model. If you want to grow and maintain your business, email marketing is the way to go.
If you don’t know how to start an online newsletter or why you need a list, read on. We’ll review five of the best free email marketing services and explain why you should start using one.
Top five free email marketing services
One of the best free email marketing plans I have found. Sendinblue offers 9000 free emails per month, which includes access to their email template designer, unlimited contacts and mobile-friendly designs. They also have advanced marketing solutions such as automated workflow, triggered campaigns, transactional statistics, retargeting features, sending time optimisation (sending your email at the best time of day), and are fully GDPR compliant. However, due to the nature of this plan, there are daily sending limits, and you don’t have access to custom branding.
If you need a more robust plan, Sendinblue’s Lite plan offers users 100,000 emails per month for just $25 per month, which is one of the cheapest plans I’ve seen in email marketing services.
2. Constant contact
Top five free email marketing servicesOne of the most popular email marketing platforms, Constant Contact, offers a free 60-day plan, which includes professional-looking templates, sign-up forms, analytics and their extensive online library of marketing tips and strategies.
This platform is extremely easy to use, and you don’t have to provide a credit card for the 60-day free trial. If, after 60 days, you decide this is the right platform for you, the paid version costs only $20 per month for 500 contacts. Constant Contact offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on its service.
Their free plan includes 2,000 subscribers and up to 12,000 emails per month. MailChimp offers both email templates and the ability to create your emails from scratch. Save the emails you create as a new template for future use. Other features include a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor, subscriber profiles, third-party integrations, analytics, plain text emailing, and more. With MailChimp’s free plan, you don’t get custom branding, professional support and many other advanced marketing tools. However, it is easy to use and offers the essential features you need to manage and grow your subscriber list.
With MailChimp, you’re charged based on the number of subscribers you have, so if you need a larger plan, the top tier (2,001 – 2,500 subscribers) will cost you $29.99 per month.
ConvertKit is often the email marketing service of choice for designers, small business owners and bloggers. It’s a robust platform that offers a lot of bells and whistles in terms of stats, funnels and automation, but it also comes with a steep learning curve.
With their free plan, you get:
Once you have surpassed 1,000 subscribers, the next plan starts at $49 per month. ConvertKit also offers its users many free training courses, such as how to get your first 100 subscribers
MailerLite is a simple and affordable email marketing solution for small business owners. Their free plan includes up to 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 emails per month, a drag-and-drop editor, mobile-friendly emails, landing pages, forms, list segmentation and automation.
However, the downside of this free plan is that you don’t have access to their newsletter templates, and the MailerLite logo is included in the footer of every email you send.
For unlimited emails, for 1,000 subscribers, the cost is just $10 per month, and the next level up is $15 for up to 2,500 subscribers.
]]>There are several options and many variables to consider. If you’re just starting out, it can seem a little daunting. Let’s go through the basics and make things a little more manageable for you.
Email is an opt-in, which means it targets potential customers who have already expressed interest in your product or service. This ensures that you reach your target market. It is also customisable. You can create list segments, schedule sending times and it is easy to track your results and make changes based on your success. Email marketing can be a very specific and targeted marketing tool. It is easy to see the return on investment and change your strategy when you notice that some things are not working as effectively as you would like.
You may be wondering why you need a specialised platform… why can’t you just send out emails? Why can’t you just send emails from your own email account? There are several reasons:
HTML emails created with these tools look more professional and are less likely to be marked as spam.
Email marketing platforms allow you to easily develop and manage your lists.
They offer excellent tracking tools to monitor your efforts and your success. If you have your own website or blog, these platforms will not be difficult for you to use.
Most importantly, the CAN-SPAM Act requires that commercial messages include an opt-out mechanism, allowing recipients to unsubscribe at any time. If you are found to be in breach of these rules, you risk costly penalties (up to $16,000). Email marketing platforms automate this process to make you CAN-SPAM compliant.
The most popular options are Constant Contact, SendinBlue and MailChimp. Constant Contact seems to be more premium and offers more bells and whistles. It is also the most expensive of the three. I’ve never used Sendinblue, but it seems to be a great option for businesses on a budget. I currently use MailChimp, because of their free option for less than 12,000 emails per month. I encourage you to research your options, try their free trials to get a feel for their backend system, and then make a decision that fits your specific business needs.
If you offer a wide variety of products or services, it may make sense to segment your list. This will ensure that your audience receives relevant emails and reduce the number of potential spam complaints. When preparing to send emails, you can specifically target the groups you think will be most interested. This is an easy option to use when setting up your email marketing platform.
Every email should have a call to action. What do you want your reader to do after they open and read your email? Ask them to do it. First of all, you need a great subject line, one that grabs attention and makes the reader open the email before deleting it. The subject line should be relevant, short and interesting. On the inside, you need to stay focused. Attractive images are always useful. Long stories will be overlooked. Make sure you always include links to your website, blog and other important pages.
The open rate is the percentage of emails that are opened in a given email marketing campaign. Of the thousands of emails you sent, how many were opened? This is an important statistic to monitor in order to determine the success of different campaigns, the influence of different subject lines on results, the best time and day to send, etc. Conversion rate is the percentage of your recipients who respond to the campaign’s call to action. How many recipients use the discount code, participate in the virtual event, etc. These figures give you a good overview of your efforts.
Your efforts are likely to be a little slow at first. Don’t let this discourage you. As with any type of marketing, consistency is key. Don’t give up. Plan how often you will send emails and stick to it. Over time, customers will expect to see you regularly in their inbox. There is always a balance between too much and too little. Be honest and upfront with your members about how often they can expect to receive your emails. If you send weekly or daily special offers, tell them up front. For more informative emails, I usually recommend a regular monthly mailing.
Be sure to include a sign-up box on your website, blog and social media pages. I also like to include a link in the signature of my traditional emails. Contests and other incentives are also a great way to quickly grow your list. Offering a free gift, such as an e-book or something else, when signing up is a good option. Can you offer an instant coupon special? Ongoing incentives are also great. Always keep readers engaged and interested in what you are saying.
]]>People I don’t even know have said hurtful things to me in my career. If I shared the list, you would be absolutely horrified to read some of these vicious attacks. And learning to deal with them, without taking them personally, has been one of the biggest hurdles I’ve had to overcome as an entrepreneur.
My husband tells me I need to have a thicker skin. And you know what? He’s absolutely right. Because the more I go into the marketplace with my vision and mission to fight childhood obesity, the more likely I am to offend someone with my message.
So let my authenticity shine through. I’m not here to pander to people who disagree with my vision. I am here to embrace and help those who do.
However, with the rise of social media, it’s increasingly difficult to keep negativity at bay when dealing with emotionally charged clients or prospects. So I recently consulted a small business PR and marketing coach to help me navigate these murky waters.
Here are six strategies for dealing with negative online reviews.
This comment absolutely stunned me. After all, we all want to be authentic and real, don’t we? My coach advised me otherwise. As a former marketing manager for a large shopping centre, she told me that the first thing they do is to withdraw a public complaint and deal with the matter privately. For example, in her case, a customer of the mall took a picture of a food item in the mall with a bug in it and started spreading the news all over the company’s website. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the customer had placed the bug in the food in the hope of getting the next meal for free. This kind of publicity is not something you want to keep on your website or social media pages. It is something you need to deal with privately.
There are lots of apps like Yelp that are based on customer reviews. But if a negative review appears on your site, and you can control it, remove it. Again, deal with the problem privately.
3. Respond to all customer complaints, no matter how small.
The only thing worse than responding negatively to a bad review is not responding at all. Take the time to write a personal message and address the issue head-on. Chances are the problem is not as serious as it seems, and giving the customer your time and attention will make them feel heard. You may even thank them for taking the time to write to you.
This can be a difficult lesson to learn, but many people have been influenced by their own negative experiences and life lessons. For example, someone who has already taken advantage of a small business may take the opportunity to criticise you for the business opportunity you offer, even if the two are unrelated and yours is entirely legitimate.
Forget emotion. It’s easy to respond to criticism with our feelings, but this only adds fuel to the fire. Take the opportunity to respond logically by giving your side of the story and publicly apologise to your customer for their negative experience. You can even be brave and offer a gift to help resolve the problem.
For example, if the same complaint keeps popping up, try changing your process to eliminate the complaint in the first place. Repeated customer complaints are a message to you that changes are needed. How can you improve the customer experience in this area?
Dealing with online negativity and customer complaints is never easy or fun. But rather than seeing them as a terrifying nightmare destined to derail your business, why not try to see them as an opportunity for improvement? Responding to customer complaints in a timely and professional manner can be the first line of defence in stopping and then growing your business.
]]>Working with bloggers to promote your business Have any of these situations happened to you?
Fortunately, in my experience online, most influencers and bloggers are professional and trustworthy. But there have been a small minority who have not lived up to their commitments.
Just as in real life, there are some bad apples. This can be especially frustrating when it affects your own reputation or your relationship with your customers or readers.
Contrary to the popular adage, not all publicity is good publicity. Just because people are talking about you or you are exposed online does not mean it is good for you or your brand. Once something is on the Internet, it’s probably there, somewhere, forever. So a poorly written review, a blog post with incorrect information or an unflattering image can hurt you for a long time.
When you are marketing your business and looking to build brand awareness, you want it to be positive in nature. It is important that the image you (and the people who write or post about you) portray is accurate and flattering. As your business grows, it can be difficult to control what is said. However, it is important to be aware of as many public communications as possible.
So how can you make sure you are working with reputable influencers and bloggers? It’s not always possible, but there are some safeguards you can put in place to reduce the likelihood of getting burned. Don’t be lazy. A little time and research can go a long way.
Here are five useful tips for collaborating with bloggers to promote your company and brand.
Is there a way to talk to former clients or associates? Do they have a testimonial page with contact information? Especially if you’re getting started on a major project, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. And if you send them a valuable product in exchange for a product review, that’s certainly a good idea. Discuss with others how quickly the shipment was made, whether they were satisfied with the quality of the review, etc. When shipping products, be sure to track and request delivery confirmation. This can help resolve a problem later. Be upfront and honest with the people you plan to work with and make sure they reciprocate. If you have a bad feeling, chances are your instinct is right and you should pass on the opportunity.
Go through their website and read a few articles. What does it look like? Are comments turned off? Are posts rare? Is their content edited? Do they use professional images? These can be red flags that give you clues about the type of blogger you’re dealing with. If you see something that makes you wonder, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
If they have an online presence, chances are you’ll get results when you do a search. If the results are generally positive, that’s fine. However, if you see a pattern of negativity, it may be a good sign to look elsewhere. Obviously, not everything that is written and posted on the Internet is the truth, but a consistent pattern is a good indication that something is wrong. An internet search can be a great tool and can uncover some very interesting information.
If you can, make payment after the service has been performed. Or at least pay half up front and half when the project is completed. Ask to review the post or image before the asset is published, so that you can assess whether the information is correct and of good quality. Honest bloggers and influencers will have no problem with such requests. They will be understanding and cooperative. On the other hand, if you get discouraged, it may be time to look elsewhere.
One of the best ways to ensure that everyone involved is in agreement is to create a terms of reference, insertion order or legal contract. Set out all the details of the campaign, what is expected of each party, timelines, compensation, delivery of campaign statistics, and make sure both parties sign and date it. This way, if there is a disagreement later, you will have a signed copy of the contract to fall back on. It is also advisable to keep all emails on file so that you can document the conversation and dates in case you need to go back and clarify any information. This also helps to avoid “he said, she said” scenarios.
Conclusion.
Of course, these steps help facilitate the process, but they are not always a guarantee. Despite your best efforts, sometimes bad things can happen. But if you do consistent due diligence, you increase your chances of working with positive people. If something negative happens, do your best to resolve the situation and then move on. It’s always better to take the high road than to get into a public altercation, even if you’re right.
Have you had any negative experiences with bloggers or influencers? How did you deal with them? Feel free to comment below. If you liked this article, share it on your favourite social networks.
]]>6 tips to grow your home business with LinkedInBelieve it or not, LinkedIn can help you grow your brand.
When I decided to start a freelance writing business from home, I had no idea I was going to use LinkedIn as a marketing tool.
I thought LinkedIn was for people in the business world. A world I had never been a part of professionally. One look at LinkedIn made me yawn and cringe simultaneously. I didn’t think it was where creatives, introverts, entrepreneurs and freelancers congregated.
I can see myself on Instagram in my sleep (it’s also part of what I do for my clients, so it’s very familiar), and I’ll gleefully and mindlessly scroll through Facebook until my eyes hurt (probably not a good thing, right?). I play a bit on Pinterest, but I thought that engaging on two social platforms was really all I needed to find clients and writing opportunities.
However, after much resistance and sighing, I discovered that my audience existed. It was all about networking, connecting with other writers and publishing work. I was really out of the loop.
I know you probably don’t want to hear this. If you have a business of any kind, whether you’re a freelancer, coach, blogger, makeup artist or have an online shop, you need a LinkedIn account.
When I created my account, I did some research. Naturally, there is a ton of information, gurus and endless courses out there, but to save you time and effort, here are 6 tips I discovered to grow your home business with LinkedIn.
Create your profile as if you are addressing your target audience. Don’t just tell your life story in your summary. Instead, talk about the challenges your customers face and how you can help them. And unlike a CV, you can use the first person.
This is your chance to shine and stand out.
Choose a photo that makes you look professional but approachable. This is not the time to share a photo of you in a bar with your friends. Or a photo of your dog wearing a hat. It’s about projecting the right image.
I’m thinking of having professional photos taken, because I think it’s important for my brand image, and I don’t have any recent photos of myself. Seriously, none. Only 29,000 of my kids! Most phones have fantastic cameras these days, so ask someone to take a photo of you.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the banner image that includes your name, contact details and niche. Use images and video wherever possible to impress your audience.
Remember you have less than five seconds to make an impression. Make it count.
If your audience is out there, it’s worth making an effort. There are between 500 and 600 million LinkedIn users. Even if your audience isn’t there, it’s a great source for generating referrals.
Gradually add people in your industry or people you’d like to work with. Don’t spam them. The goal is to gradually build meaningful connections that, hopefully, will convert.
Create engaging status updates, write interesting articles directly through LinkedIn, share your blog posts or any information or advice that your network connections find valuable. You want your audience to take ownership of this information and apply it to their professional or personal lives.
This is not an opportunity to sell your product or service, as you would on other social platforms, but to share your unique perspective. Your mission is to establish trust and build social authority in your niche.
Use keywords and hashtags to show up in searches. Create a custom URL with your name instead of a jumble of numbers. You want your brand to be as visible as possible.
Check your network updates daily. Click “Like” and comment on posts, congratulate people on their new posts. Think of it as a networking event where you want to be nice to everyone, but not impose your own agenda. You don’t want to be “that” person at the party.
Be prepared to spend several months engaging before you get offers. It’s a process, but if done right, it will be an extremely beneficial marketing tool. Plus, it’s a great way to keep up to date with what’s going on in your industry and what your competitors are doing.
If you feel a bit lonely on LinkedIn compared to Facebook or Instagram, you can join groups in your field. Or just for fun. If you actively participate in them, it’s another way to get noticed and get those all-important referrals.
Companies post jobs on LinkedIn, sometimes before posting them elsewhere. You can also apply directly for jobs through the platform. Make sure your list of previous work experience and qualifications is constantly updated.
You may be sought after by recruiters, so your title should describe exactly what you do. Be specific and use words that will help you stand out from your competitors.
To seriously up your game and get business results, you’ll need a LinkedIn company page in addition to your personal page. You’ll set it up almost like your personal page, but it will focus on your brand.
It’s going to give more detail about your business, so take the time to fill it out completely. The idea is to increase brand awareness and make your company one of the leaders in the industry.
]]>Since you do everything yourself, you can’t be everywhere at once and expect everything to work. Focus on the channels and tricks that will bring you the most profit.
In his book The 4-Hour Workweek, business guru Tim Ferriss encourages you to use the Pareto principle to maximise productivity by focusing only on the 20% of areas that produce 80% of the profits. If you focus on strategies that don’t deliver much in the end, or if you are pulled in so many directions to promote your business that you fail to drive key channels, it will do you more harm than good. Evaluate the strategies that work best for your business and then target the customers you want to reach.
Let’s break down the different ways to promote your craft business and create positive brand awareness.
Selling handmade products in online marketplaces is a great way to drive traffic to your shop. Popular marketplaces will automatically bring you potential customers, so half the work is done. The other half of the work is still up to you to promote your shop and create quality products, product photos, descriptions, a pricing strategy, etc.
The disadvantage of online marketplaces is that you don’t have full control over the branding of your shop. You get the functionality of the design that matches the brand of the marketplace you are selling on, and you are still co-promoting your brand.
Another drawback is that marketplaces can drive traffic to your shop. If a potential customer chooses to click on a related key search term and navigate to another online shop, you lose a potential sale.
That said, online marketplaces are a fantastic way to gain exposure, and selling on more than one can increase your exposure to more potential customers, provided you have the inventory to post products on multiple platforms.
Here are some of the best marketplaces to sell your DIY items:
The list is endless, so do some research and find out which online shops are the best fit for you. Keep in mind that you should choose an online marketplace that is geared towards the customers you want to sell to. For example, if you sell cosy handmade cushions for the home, you don’t want to sell on an online art marketplace.
A website is essential if you want to start building a brand that you can promote. More than a website, an e-commerce site allows sellers to promote their brand and sell products in their own online shop. An e-commerce site allows sellers to manage orders, track purchases, offer deals to customers, manage SEO and get other useful information about traffic to their shop.
There are a variety of website builders perfect for e-commerce, such as :
Depending on your customisation needs, your e-commerce needs and your budget, you can choose one website builder or pricing plan over another.
If you’re just starting out, Big Cartel and Zibbet have free plans to start selling right away, and if you’re ready to run an online craft business, you can use the builders’ paid plans. Big Cartel and Wix have limits on the number of product listings allowed and bandwidth storage, respectively, while Shopify, Squarespace and Zibbet have plans that offer unlimited product listings.
When determining which website builder is right for you, consider what your specific needs are most important to your business. Look at each builder’s transaction or listing fees, the price of packages, the degree of customisation of their web themes, or the robustness of their e-commerce tools.
Mettez votre entreprise d’artisanat hors ligne et vendez sur les marchés locaux et lors d’événements, tels que les promenades artistiques sur le trottoir. Les gens peuvent voir votre travail et vous rencontrer en personne. Cela crée une expérience personnelle et intime pour le client. Certains stands d’événements coûtent de l’argent à l’avance pour vendre, alors soyez conscient des coûts supplémentaires si vous envisagez des événements en personne.
Un autre événement en personne pour promouvoir votre entreprise artisanale est celui que vous organisez vous-même, comme une fête ! Voici quelques idées pour vous aider à les trouver.
Les festivals d’art, d’artisanat et de musique rassemblent la communauté créative pour créer, partager et apprécier l’art sous toutes ses formes. De nombreuses personnes participent à ces festivals dans l’intention d’acheter quelque chose de spécial et d’unique.
Ce sont des événements en personne parfaits qui attireront de nombreuses personnes sur votre stand et des clients susceptibles d’apprécier votre artisanat et d’être prêts à l’acheter. Comme les manifestations locales, ces événements vous mettent en contact direct avec les clients, ce qui vous donne l’occasion de leur faire vivre une expérience exceptionnelle.
Les photos, noms et descriptions de produits ne sont pas seulement importants pour stimuler les ventes. Ils sont également importants pour la commercialisation de votre marque avant même que les ventes n’aient lieu. Des produits beaux, professionnels et présentables qui font briller votre marque sont plus faciles à partager et à diffuser que des présentations médiocres ou qui ne rendent pas justice à vos produits. Les photos de produits doivent être professionnelles, claires et éclairées naturellement (si possible), avec un arrière-plan propre et minimal.
Des photos et des présentations de mauvaise qualité peuvent réduire la qualité perçue de votre produit par les clients potentiels. Il vaut donc la peine d’investir du temps et des efforts pour prendre des photos de qualité professionnelle.
Sophia Amoroso, qui a fondé Nasty Gal en vendant des vêtements vintage sur eBay et en a fait une entreprise de 100 millions de dollars, est un génie de la présentation. Elle a pris des objets vintage et les a fait revivre en utilisant un style et une photographie fantastiques. Sophia a changé les photos d’une de ses robes qui ne se vendait qu’une fois par semaine, et elle est devenue un best-seller, avec 400 robes achetées en une semaine juste en changeant le motif !
Les gens ont des préférences différentes lorsqu’ils choisissent des noms de produits. Certains voudront choisir un nom simple ou une chaîne de mots pour représenter leur produit, puis décrire ce qu’il est et ses caractéristiques dans la description. D’autres voudront inclure la nature du produit et ses caractéristiques dans le nom du produit.
Idéalement, les noms de produits devraient être suffisamment simples pour être uniques au produit et ne pas comporter beaucoup de contenu de remplissage qui rendrait la présentation peu attrayante, par exemple, “145Shorts*T-shirt*Rouge”.
Des symboles et des descriptions incohérents dans le nom du produit peuvent le faire paraître maladroit et peu attrayant. Des descriptions de produits concises qui décrivent clairement la beauté de votre produit sont essentielles pour décrire exactement ce que vous vendez et pourquoi il est désirable.
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