| The marketing decisions you make for your new | | | | and most importantly give them a solid reason to |
| business are the most important part of making | | | | call you. But, more importantly, the message |
| your business a success. Marketing is about | | | | needs to in front of them on a regular, consistent |
| building a strong presence, name recognition and | | | | basis. Always be sure to use your web address in |
| credibility through various methods. Here are 7 | | | | all of your advertising.5. Get Your Business |
| things you can do to get a new business off the | | | | Publicized:- Send a press release to all local |
| ground.All of the time and money you invest in | | | | newspapers and magazines in your area |
| getting your business off the ground is wasted if | | | | announcing the opening of your new business, |
| you don't make the additional efforts and | | | | plans for Grand Opening, and services offered. |
| expenditures to market effectively. Marketing is | | | | Keep your press releases short, double-spaced, |
| the process and procedures that get your name | | | | and error free.- Write letters to the editor and/or |
| out to the public. Your advertising is only a part of | | | | send out press releases on a consistent basis that |
| marketing. You should have a plan for at least the | | | | include a professional photo that is captioned |
| first year of operations on a monthly basis. With | | | | (readers are much more likely to view a photo if |
| a new business, your marketing is about building a | | | | there is a caption to read). If you, as a business |
| presence, name recognition, status and reputation | | | | owner, do something new, such as receive an |
| through a variety methods.1. Have a Written | | | | award, appoint someone in your business to a |
| Business Plan: Having your business plan in order | | | | new position, join a board or professional |
| allows you to see a very clear path to where you | | | | organization or offer your services to a non-profit |
| want your business to go. There are many | | | | organization, be sure to get all the mileage you |
| resources available on the internet to guide you in | | | | can out of it by using it as a tool to communicate |
| this process, but basically, your business plan | | | | with the press. If you can plan your marketing |
| should include: Business Description, Key Initiatives | | | | budget to include a few professionally written and |
| and Objectives, Marketing Strategy and Budget, | | | | placed press releases, especially in the beginning, all |
| Business Overview, Location and Facilities, | | | | the better.- Also consider writing and submitting |
| Description of Products and Services, Industry | | | | articles to editors of related business journals and |
| Overview & Outlook, Regulatory Issues Related | | | | local publications. They are often looking for |
| to Your Industry, Implementation Plan and a | | | | articles from local businesses. You'll get your name |
| Financial Plan.2. Begin Your Business Branding | | | | print, as a credible source, which has a lot more |
| Immediately: Have business cards, a logo, | | | | standing than any ad you can purchase in the |
| letterhead, brochure, signage and collateral | | | | same publication.6. Network - Network - Network! |
| materials professionally designed and printed. It will | | | | Face-to-face networking is one of your best |
| be worth the investment as your first steps | | | | sources of advertising. Be sure to take advantage |
| towards building your business's image. Steer clear | | | | of every connection opportunity you can. Getting |
| of "do it yourself" products that can be found in | | | | involved will get your business name out there. |
| most office supply stores. Although it may seem | | | | Become a member of the Chamber of |
| cost effective for a new business, the real cost | | | | Commerce and be an active participant. Joining a |
| comes in the toll it will take on your company's | | | | committee, going to meetings, networking |
| image. For more advice on Business Branding go | | | | breakfasts, and special events extends the |
| to: Get a Business Website. In today's | | | | opportunities to interact with prospective clients. |
| marketplace, a business without a website is like a | | | | Volunteer to join a local arts council, charity board, |
| house without a front door. If you don't have | | | | or school board. You're not only servicing your |
| one, you're missing out on a very big opportunity | | | | community, you're putting yourself and your |
| to drive business directly to you. Have your | | | | business out in front of the public.7. Assess and |
| website professionally written and designed. Make | | | | Redirect Along the Way. Just because you have a |
| sure it is an extension of your advertising and | | | | written business plan doesn't mean you should |
| print materials. Your branding has to extend and | | | | shut your eyes to anything but what you have |
| flourish on your home page. Prospective clients | | | | written. After several months of being fully |
| should be able to utilize your site for more | | | | operational, if you find your business is taking off |
| information than what is already available to them | | | | in one area more then another, you may have |
| through your brochure, print ads, and other | | | | stumbled onto a genuine need that wasn't being |
| collateral materials. Update your website often and | | | | filled. Go with it! Assess and redirect. If you find |
| give people a reason to return again and again.4. | | | | your newspaper advertising is pulling more than |
| Advertise with Consistency. One of the most | | | | your direct mail campaign it may be time to |
| powerful keys to successful advertising is | | | | adjust the advertising budget. First, be very sure |
| frequency. A smaller ad that you run 10 times will | | | | you're not being too quick to judge. Some areas |
| generate much more presence that an ad 10 | | | | of business take longer to cultivate than others. |
| times the size you can only afford to run once. | | | | Just as some advertising will adjust according to |
| Start with local or regional newspapers or | | | | season, campaign, and frequency.Mary Ellen Martelli |
| magazines, and set up an ongoing plan that will | | | | is President of MareMax Consulting, a full service |
| allow you to build your presence. Your advertising | | | | Advertising, Marketing & Website Consulting firm, |
| message has to speak to the consumer's needs | | | | located in Southern New Jersey. |