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| Original Message Added : 26 Feb 2009 Is this adequate or should I mail shot local schools etc by hand too? |
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| Reply : 26 Feb 2009 Well first off, well done on getting your google local listing sorted out. That gets you on page 1 for Children's parties Dover. This is really good and I'd expect drives a reasonable amount of traffic to your site. I hope you are using google analytics to monitor. Which comes on to my next concern, which is how much time have you spent on converting that traffic from browsers into paying customers. I see a lot of cases where business owners are constantly hunting for new business and yet they have failed recognise the prospective business that is right under their nose. What I don't see from your website is a progression from targeted lead to engagement to conversion to sale. It looks like you have a very good product and the price is very reasonable (I actually think it's too cheap and you should charge more given that you supply all the materials and party packs and and you run the party too!!). Coming back to your original question of free marketing there are a number of things you can be doing. The first is pop a small card into every party bag that advertises your services to all the parents of the children that attend the parties. Next you should have a referral reward program where by one customer that recommends you to a friend or a number of friends gets a special gift. Given the lack of margin in your business this would be something quite small. You need to write a 101 Party Ideas or 101 things to keep kids amused eBook/s and give it/them away on you website. You could get a small number printed and use as the referral reward gift. In the back of the book you of course advertise your services. Next you need to look at alliances and joint ventures (JV). So this is Leaving your marketing material in the lobby or reception areas of places that parents go. Eg. After School Clubs, Hair Salons, Health clubs etc. A JV could be that you host a children's party at the local gym for all the kids of the members. The gym owner advertises then event to all members and pays for nibbles and drinks. You provide the entertainment and materials and the kids have a blast whilst mum or dad relax or work out. Again have cards for people to take away so they know how to use your services for their next children's party. In this instance your marketing money is going into the cost of the materials but all the advertisement is carried out by the gym owner. Take this idea and apply to other clubs. Once you have your free ebook you could use small classified ad sections of newspapers to offer the book along with you web address where they can get it. They have to provide name and email to get the book so that you can market to them in the future by email. There are loads of things you can do. Hopefully I've given you a flavour to get you thinking. To really get a better understanding of how to market your business using low-cost/No-Cost marketing download a copy of my marketing manual (£97 Value) for free from http://www.maximumprofitsinminimumtime.co.uk/ If you need advice on creating the ebooks then let me know. I have a way to get them done really quickly and can give you more advice on how to host them on your website. Warm regards, Steve.
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| Reply : 26 Feb 2009 |
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| Reply : 26 Feb 2009 I couldn't help noticing a link between "I can't afford to pay for on line advertising" (you) and "I actually think it's too cheap... given that you supply all the materials [etc etc]" (Steve). Before you spend money on marketing, you need a basic business model which demonstrates that the business you're marketing is actually financially viable. Otherwise you'll just end in a costly mess. |
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| Reply : 27 Feb 2009 Thanks. This advice site is fantastic. |
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| Reply : 7 Apr 2009 Find people who will advocate you (and train them in what to say about you). Forget leaflets, forget websites, forget mailshots - become known as the purveyor of great children's parties. Don't be afraid to ask for help (I don't think you are, I just think you might not have realised how many people could help). Suppose you've just completed a successful party. Ask the client "Who else do you know that might be interested in my parties?" Or, even better, "Who else do you know who knows people that might be interested in my parties?". And note use of language. "Who else do you know...?" implies they do know someone. Although they might not, if you ask "Who do you know...?" they'll just say nobody. "Interested" implies you're not expecting these contacts to buy - merely be interested. Some people just know lots of people. It's important to them that they do. Most of them like connecting the people they know. You have to find these 'connectors' and tap into all their contacts. They'll be pleased to help. And... you're absolutely right to offer tasters (as I interpret the end of your reply). People make decisions (eg to buy) when they're in their feelings, and one way of getting them there is to offer an experience.
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| Reply : 7 Apr 2009 |
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| Reply : 7 Apr 2009 |
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| Reply : 7 Apr 2009 Best regards Steve. |
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0).jpg&maxW=50&maxH=50&action=crop "Steve Crane")
.jpg&maxW=50&maxH=50&action=crop "Rob Hadingham")
