Announcing Your Home Business
Announcing Your Home Based Business is Key
So, here’s one basic marketing exercise to get you started. Go through your Rolodex (or contact manager or address book). Write a letter announcing your business to almost everyone you know - anyone who might conceivably use your business or recommend it to someone who might use it. Put the letter on your new letterhead. Why send a letter to almost everyone you know? Everyone who knows you, and might refer people to you in a positive manner, should be aware of the opportunity to do so. One of the most overlooked chances to get new clients is failing to mention the business - or failing to directly ask for referrals. Why write a letter? A letter provides the recipient with a visual reminder, written information about your business, and (because you will tuck business cards inside this), cards to hand out to referrals they meet. Well crafted, this letter should provide the recipient with key words and (if room) suggestions of people to look for (for example, “Do you know anyone who…”).
Choosing the Right Recipients for Your Work At Home Business
Because I said ”almost” everyone you know, there are, obviously, a few exceptions. You might not want to send the letter to
• People who know you but don’t like you. Stick to people who respect and admire you.
• People who simply are not in a position to refer your business to others, such as those who are seriously ill or in prison (unless those groups are part of a key target audience for your business).
• What about people you know who are students or unemployed? These are judgment calls. Generally, students are not good referral sources unless they are in graduate studies or working as interns. Unemployed people are likely to be so stressed over their job search that they won’t think to refer you to someone—and it might even be awkward. (“Well, because I blew that interview and you won’t hire me, how about using a friend of mine? He just started his home business.”)
• In general, the closer a person might be to your potential clients, the more likely you should send him a letter. So, a retiree who stays in touch with the corporate office is worth the letter. But a retiree who is out on the water jet skiing, having eschewed contact with former colleagues, should probably be skipped. Although your list can be winnowed, don’t overlook people simply because of how you know them. Yes, you know Betty because you both have kids in the “Mommy and Me” class you both attend. But Betty isn’t restricted to that role even though she might be a full-time mother. She still knows people, stays in touch with them, and could be extremely helpful if she knows the details of your business.
Tags: home based business, home business, work at home, work from home