Ways to Sharpen Your Business Edge

Pay attention to articles and YouTube and TV shows about trends and changes in national and international demographics. This information can be very helpful in finding new business opportunities for you, increasing profits and ideas for providing additional value and service for people who do business with you.
A marketing plan is only as good as the tracking system you put in place. It will enable you to see where your dollars are being the most beneficial to your business. Track each client or request for additional information. Get in the habit of asking your clients, “How did you hear about us?” Then keep that information in your contact system along with their name, address, and any special request or preferences they may have.
It is important to know how that client found you––and to thank that person or source—(more business will come from it). You will see patterns begin to emerge that will help you focus your marketing efforts where they are the most effective.
Joining your local Chamber of Commerce and/or other trade associations will give you more places to network and connect with other business people.You will be able to share experiences and bounce new ideas off of them. At the same time, you can share your experiences and solutions to problems they may be facing. More and more, the business world works best when businesses co-partner and act in a mutually interdependent way. It is all about collaboration.
You are always marketing your business and yourself. Even if you don’t think you are in a “business setting,” you are still conveying an impression of yourself and your business. Be helpful and listen to people. Helping people is rewarding all by itself, and you will find that other people notice and will think of your business first when they need the product or service you provide. They’ll know you are committed to the community and to helping others because you helped them.
When advertising––think targeted. Find out how your clients spend their time, what they read, and what they like to do in their free time besides family. Then use this information to help you target your marketing efforts so your message will directly reach the people who are interested in your product or service.
Develop different ways for potential clients to get to know you. Writing articles, doing workshops, or speaking are great ways to interact with your potential networks. They will get to meet you and experience your style first hand. If you are uncomfortable doing these things, think of ways to start small and build your confidence. Find a way to give a presentation at one of your associations or do a You Tube video on a subject that you have expertise on.
Be consistent in your communications. What is most important to you? What is the essence of what you provide to your clients that is fulfilling to you? Narrowing your focus and determining what you want to share will help you define your business style. You can then have all of your marketing materials reflect that style. This will attract the best clients for you.
Help people find “doable” ways to start and then to continue to work with you. Think of ways you can tailor your services to smaller businesses or organizations so they can begin working with you on a limited way and grown into more services or products. Offer different services with different price points. People like to test things out, make sure they feel comfortable and pleased with the services you provide. Let them experience firsthand the value you provide and realize that they want to continue to do more business with you.
Define the kinds of client projects or goals that you would enjoy working with most. Are there clients in a particular industry, generation, personal philosophy, or with a greater level of challenge that you would like to work with? When you focus on the kinds of clients and projects important to you, you will attract those most rewarding for you to work with. You’ll be excited by the work you do together and have a great person to refer you to other potential clients with these qualities. Go where they go, read what they read, start to integrate yourself.