Ten Tips to Build Business in 2008

Whether you are an artist, a small business or a large corporation here are some simple and economical ways to increase your business sales, awareness and presence.

1. Never leave home without your business card, in fact update them! You never know who you might bump into at the supermarket, post office, gym, etc.

2. Attend a new local networking group. Do a simple search in yahoo, google or craigslist to find groups where you can gain contacts, network and build business.

3. If you haven’t already, sign up for business oriented networking site Linked In. This is a great way to get peer feedback and of course build business.

4. Add a new element to your website that encourages your clients and visitors to come back. Things such as a blog, newsletter or tip of the day can be a great way to increase web traffic.

5. Start compiling your business emails or add a subscription button to your site and send out a period e-mail mailer informing your clients of

6. Place google ads from Adsense to your site to help generate income.

7. Perfect your “schpeel” to encourage referrals. This is the 90-second sound bite that lets people know exactly what you do – that includes what product or service you provide, how and under what conditions you provide it, how well you do it, and in what ways you’re better at what you do than your competitors. It may seem like a no-brainer – don’t we all know what we do for a living? Of course, but can you communicate it clearly and simply? Can you communicate it succinctly so someone else can repeat it to a potential client for you?

8. Instead of using regular postage stamps on your business mail, use customized postage stamps with your own business logo. Modern technology – U.S. Postage stamps with your logo or picture on them, what next?! Check it out www.USPS.com

9. Write or hire someone to write a press release about your business and send it into all the local newspapers, trade organizations and your visitors bureau and local city offices. This is a great way to create awareness and get a possible blurb or article for free.

10. Google yourself or business and see that all contact info that pops up is accurate and links are working. Place your up-to-date contact info on every piece of literature your office sends out. Make sure you are listed in all state, government, contractor, alumni or professional organization databases that might refer work to you. Double check they contain current info as well as two written lines about what you offer.
Have other great tips? Please feel free to share them with me….

Happy Holidays! And Happy Designing!

Todd Meisler
ZD Design
Office: 503-246-8633
www.zddesign.net
todd@zddesign.net

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