When it
comes to promoting oneself in business, a dash of poised sophistication is in
order. At the risk of bragging, many women shy away from speaking up about their
know-how. Use these five innovative yet gracefully straightforward suggestions
to increase your visibility in the upcoming year.
Personalized Greeting Cards
Consider professionally printing labels displaying your
business contact information. Do not forget to add your title, email and
website information. Next, purchase some
blank greeting cards with an image that correspond with your business. Make
sure the image on the cards is also versatile enough to be used for a variety
of occasions. Stick the labels to the backs of the cards. This is an
inexpensive twist on custom greeting cards. Use them to thank your referrals, for
contact’s birthdays, business lunch invitations etc. A quick hand written note
inside is all that is required. Tip: Keep cards in a handy folder with some stamped
envelopes in your desk.
Create A Tip Sheet
Free advice from the experts is hard to ignore. What is your
expertise? What questions do your clients ask most? Making a list of the
answers to these questions is the first step in creating a tip sheet. This one
page hand out begins with an interesting title, illuminates 5 key ideas and
ends with your contact info. Use the following example as a guide.
__
Tips On An Office Make Over
In Minutes (enlarge title)
1. Decorate with original art
2. Purchase organizers
3. Add colour in small doses
4. Display items that encourage creative energy
5. Add living plants and flowers
For A Design Consultation: Jane’s Interiors 000.000.0000 E-mail: jane@hotmail.com
Web portfolio: www.janesinteriors.com
.___
Now print and then photocopy your tip sheet. Consider the
colour and texture of your paper. Choose crème or pastel card stock for an
understated professional look. In contrast, bright coloured paper makes an eye
catching statement. Some of the pre-printed papers are fine, just stay away
from the “cute” ones. Make it a goal to distribute at least 100 copies to start
with! Carry some with you at all times
along with some thumb tacks. Tip: Imagine your clients thinking, “How nice of
you to share some of your advice with the rest of us, tell me more…”
Illustrate Your Business With A Product
Visually explain your service, by creating a product to
represent you. If you offer services, create
a gift basket with related items. For instance, an accountant could have a “Basket
of Numbers” with a gift certificate along with some simple office supplies. Those
speaking publicly or teaching could create a starter package for students who
attend events and workshops to purchase. Include hard to find products along
with some simple printed instructions, your tip sheet, a set of four of your
blank custom cards along with a brochure for upcoming events. Wrap it up like a
gift basket. Imagine that your new clients do not have the time to collect the
items you are introducing to them on their own. This starter kit is something tangible that
illustrates what your business is all about. Put one out at a related business
or simply on a visible shelf in your own office. Make a sign saying: “Ask about
our BASKET OF NUMBERS”. Tip: Believe
that you are doing your contacts a favour by providing them with the starter
products they need.
Monthly E-Photo
Is there an image that you want stamped in your business
contacts’ minds when they think of you? Instead
of sending a wordy newsletter to your contacts via e-mail, send an e-photo of
the month. Digital cameras and scanners will make this endorsement tool quite
simple. Snap pictures of your self doing something business related. Picture
ideas include: you hold your new product packages; you at a charity or gala
event; you presenting or accepting an award; you at work; a picture of your product.
Attach your picture to your e-mail with a quick three line message as if you
were signing a postcard. For example: “Greetings Everyone! Just wanted to share
my latest and greatest with you! This is a picture of from the Art Charity
Auction which is a literacy fund raiser for inner city children. Looking Forward
To Hearing From You, CR.” Of course you
must both embellish and change the descriptions to correspond with the pictures
every month. These pictures will plant a friendly visual reminder in the minds
of contacts. Tip: Assemble all of your
e-photos at the end of the year in a scrapbook. You will have captured the
essence of your best work moments with this collection of photos.
Offer To Be A Guest Speaker
Another wonderful way to promote your self is to volunteer
to speak about your acquired career capabilities. Think about what you have
learned along the way. What might you share with the outsider? Make a list of the groups who you would like
to speak for, along with their contact information. Consider special interest community
groups as well as the local chamber of commerce and any other business
networking groups that correspond with your line of expertise. Another idea is
to inquire about local school’s career day programs to share your knowledge
with a younger yet rewarding audience. You could also offer to demonstrate or
display your work to these groups if it applies to your business. Tip: Send
your tip sheet along with your custom greeting card proposing a speaking
engagement.
Last Word
Yes, you can charmingly advance your career by using these
tools. Maximize their potential impact by using them interchangeably. Remember,
there is no point in keeping your business a secret. Be resolved to begin implementing
these wonderful marketing ideas today.
Cassandra Russell is a celebrated artist/graphic
designer who develops business and marketing materials. Contact her
at 905.778.9926 or e-mail cassnadra@hotmail.com.
View Cassandra's web portfolio on this blog.
