A recent article in the Dutch business magazine Sprout said Twitter is expected to be the first internet medium that will reach one billion users.  

At PICNIC 2009 Maurice Beerthuyzen reported media futurist Gerd Leonhard as saying, “In two years you’re in social business or in no business.”

So, if you’re not yet on Twitter, sign up.  If you’re already using Twitter, why not make the effort to learn additional ways you can use it to grow your business.

I know, I can hear you saying that you barely have time to do all of the marketing activities you’re already doing!  But please consider the impact this new strategy can have on your business. 

Here are some basic facts.  Twitter is a free service where you can post messages (called tweets) of up to 140 characters.  This is also known as micro-blogging.  You can follow people’s tweets and share your tweets with people who follow you.

This isn’t going to be about ‘how to’ get set up on Twitter. There is a ton of marvelous information out there for free out on how to do that.  Here are two resources to get you started: Twitter for Business report and http://twitterwatchdog.com/ (scroll down to the bottom of the page and sign up for a free Twitter success report).

I want to focus on WHY you should get on board and how using Twitter can help you grow your business and be more profitable.

I’m not an expert on Twitter and I continue to learn more all the time.  I just started my account in March of this year.  As with any new service, you can actually learn by doing and watching what others do.

BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS:

1. Meet potential new clients you would otherwise probably never encounter
2. Discover new business opportunities
3. Connect with strategic alliance partners
4. Position yourself as an expert and attract media attention
5. Promote your events
6. A place to share your knowledge if you don’t have an ezine or blog (If you do have an ezine and blog, Twitter will complement them fabulously).

And yes, I have met some amazing people on Twitter and have discovered new opportunities for marketing my business.

WHAT TO TWEET ABOUT:

It’s true, some people do tweet about what they are eating or that they are going to walk the dog.  As a business owner you can make the majority of your tweets about your area of expertise, information that adds value.  For example, you can share:

- Fresh ideas and insights

- Practical tips

- Helpful resources (blogs, articles, quotes, etc.)

If you want to see what I tweet about you can follow me at: http://twitter.com/fireflycoaching.

As a time saver you can connect your Twitter account to your Facebook and LinkedIn accounts so that when you post something on Twitter it automatically shows up on Facebook and LinkedIn (for tips on these two services read my ‘Why Facebook and LinkedIn are Good for Your Business’ here. 

Are you starting to see how Twitter can help you expand your network and grow your business?  Make the decision to get an account and start using it today.  Invest the time to learning how it works so you can take advantage of this amazing marketing strategy and rock your business.

© Stephanie Ward, 2009

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com/.

The best way for people to get to know you, and find out how your business can help them, is to offer a complimentary sample of valuable information.  This can be something written, like a special report, or valuable audio tips.

If you don’t already have a valuable give away, then please read more about this topic here. 

In this article I want to share additional ways you can use your valuable give away in addition to offering it on your website.  Leveraging information you already have is simply smart marketing.

Having something valuable to share with people who are interested in what you do is fabulous because you have a gift to offer people.  It is also a way to show your expertise.  In addition, it saves you time because you won’t need to repeat the same information on a one-on-one basis.  Plus, it allows people to review your information when it is convenient for them.

Here are seven ways to promote your valuable give away in places besides your website:

1. Create classified ads which are inexpensive and sometimes free.

2. Use Google AdWords which allow you to control the level of investment.

3. Place postcards (with permission) that promote your valuable give away in lobbies and reception areas where your prospective clients frequent.

4. Promote it when speaking.

5. Offer it at trade shows are fairs.

6. Talk about it at networking meetings.

7. Invite your clients to offer it to their clients.

You can also create a physical version of your give away.  If your valuable give away is something written, you can print out color copies.  If it is audio, you can burn the information on CD’s or download it to memory sticks to give away.

This way, you have something to show people who are interested in your business.  Be sure you always have a few copies of your valuable give away with you when you head out the door.

You can also give a physical copy of your valuable give away to COI’s (Centers of Influence) you know.

If you don’t already have a valuable give away, get started now to create one.  If you do have one, then take action today to get it into the hands of more people.  You will be amazed at how this will help you attract more clients and grow your business.

© Stephanie Ward, 2008

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Many business owners are utilizing the internet to grow their businesses.  Technology is marvelous and frankly, I don’t know what I would do without it.

But just because you can implement loads of marketing strategies on-line, it doesn’t mean other methods are obsolete.  A fabulous off-line marketing strategy that works is using postcards.

WHY A POSTCARD

- It’s something tangible you can touch (and keep)

- It’s a pleasant break from e-mail

- There’s no envelope so when it arrives in the mail it is seen (and gets seen along the way)

WHAT TO SAY ON YOUR POSTCARD

You need a powerful headline that speaks directly to your target audience and creates curiosity to know more.  You can include a picture of the product you are offering and/or a picture of you. 

Obviously there isn’t a lot of room on a standard size postcard so you’ll want to keep it as simple and clear as possible.  If you want a bit more space (and want to make a big impression) you can choose an oversized postcard.  Using color is another way to grab attention.

You want to create a focused message and offer only ONE action to take.  For example:

> Call you to schedule a free 20 minute consult

> Go to your website and get a free report

> E-mail you to receive a free sample of your product

You can create a series of postcards for one product or service.  And you can also create one postcard for each different product or service you offer.

WHERE TO GET POSTCARDS

I have used Vista Print and have been very pleased with the product and service.  Vista Print offers its services in 18 countries and is quite inexpensive.

They offer templates so you can create postcards that look professional.  Be sure to sign up for the ‘Exclusive Offers’ on the homepage of the website and you will receive discounted offers and never have to pay full price.  You order on-line and the postcards are delivered to your door, really easy.

Of course you can use a local designer and printer, which will probably be a bigger investment.

HOW TO USE POSTCARDS

* Put a stamp on it and send it in the mail to prospects who have shown an interest in your business.

* Give it to people you meet in person (instead of a business card).

* Leave several at places where your ideal clients hang out.  For example, I have asked people in my network, whose clients could use my services, to leave my postcards in the reception area of their offices.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF IT WORKS?

Hopefully you know where all of your clients find you (either by asking them directly or asking via your website).  Personally, I can tell you that I have attracted clients who found out about me from my postcards.

There’s no reason it can’t work for your business too!  You know what to do. Decide what product or service you want to promote, create a postcard with one call to action, and start getting them out there.

© Stephanie Ward, 2008

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.