To most, marketing conjures up images of expensive television commercials and glossy magazine advertisements. Yet, successful business professionals know that's just one tactic. They understand that marketing goes beyond the traditional media. It involves continuous exposure to potential and current clients.
Trade shows get your name out. By acquiring a pre-show list of attendees, you can send prospects "teasers" letting them know why they should visit your booth location. Getting them to the booth is the hard part - you need to determine what will get them to you. A contest, a drawing? Remember to capture their names for future contacts.
Publishing articles in industry journals and newsletters also gets the word out about your company and establishes you as an "expert" in the field. Such articles go beyond the traditional press release by allowing you to share your expertise and establish credibility with prospects.
Update customers on new developments through e-newsletters or personal notes. Explain why the service/product meets their needs.
Continued presence breeds awareness of the product or service, and awareness is the first step to adoption. Once a company adopts your service or product, and they like it, they tend to stick with you and spread your name by word of mouth…yet another marketing tactic that you can foster.
