Use Hands-on Marketing to Sell Like Crazy

The Birth of a Business

Securing her first clients was a breeze. Several busy families in our neighborhood, including a woman who had recently started a demanding job at an accounting firm and a husband-wife sales team, were more than willing to utilize Paula's services. However, once she had established a routine with her initial clients, Paula yearned for more. Given the nature of her business, most clients required her services once a week or biweekly. With each job taking approximately two hours, she was working around 10 hours per week. While this was a good start, it was not sufficient for her.

The Quest for Expansion

One afternoon, Paula approached me, expressing her frustration. She was aware that I offered business advice to small business owners and wondered if I could help her expand her "tiny" business. She was eager to spread the word about her services but had a limited budget. After discussing her situation, I asked if she was willing to sacrifice a few hours of her leisure time, perhaps a few Saturday afternoons, and if she could enlist the help of her children. She agreed, and I shared with her some cost-effective, hands-on marketing strategies.

Direct Marketing Strategies

• Weekend Mall Campaigns: Set up a stall outside your local mall or shopping center on a Saturday afternoon. Distribute cookies and punch, display a large banner promoting your business, and have enough flyers or business cards for potential clients. You could also organize a raffle for a free service or product, like a trial house-cleaning.

• Vehicle Advertising: Create a professional sign featuring your business name and contact number. Park your car in a visible location for a few hours when not in use and display the sign in your window.

• Flyer Distribution: Design a flyer that provides basic information about your business. Ensure the flyer is simple and easy to read. Include tear-off tabs at the bottom with your business name and contact number.

• Innovative Ideas: Once you start implementing these strategies, you'll naturally come up with more ideas. Trust your instincts and follow through with your ideas.

The Results

Paula began her marketing efforts with a Saturday afternoon at the mall. Within a couple of weeks, she had secured five new clients. Later that week, I noticed several flyers downtown featuring her name and a picture of a scrub-brush and mop. Over the next few weeks, she gained three more clients and was nearing her capacity. She was thrilled with the results, having spent only about 10 hours and $30.

So, if you're just starting out in business, remember that you don't always need a costly marketing strategy. Embrace hands-on marketing, and you might be surprised at how quickly your business grows. There's a wealth of opportunities out there if you know how to seize them.