Home Based Business Marketing
Home Based Business Marketing – Components of a Plan
The decision to launch a home business feels wonderful. Hopefully you have decided to do something that brings enjoyment and fulfillment. And the thought of bringing in additional income is just delicious. However once the initial excitement settles down, entrepreneurs are walloped with the question of what to do next.
The next step, if you are a new home business owner or hope to be one soon, is to create a feasible marketing plan for your budget.
First, don’t panic with the use of the word budget. Even if you have an itty-bitty budget, there are plenty of no-to-low cost marketing options.
Here’s how to approach marketing your home business marketing:
1. It’s Called a Plan for a Reason
A marketing plan is just that — a plan. It is measured steps that start with step A. then goes to step B. A search on Google for “small business marketing” reveals 16 million results. Plenty of those results will focus on one aspect of marketing, like branding or starting a newsletter. Gather information on the steps, then map out what you will do first, then second, then third.
2. Understand who your customers are
On your best business day, who is buying your product or service?
Man, woman, or a teenager? Is the person a mother, or father, single or married?
Where do these people shop, relax, and do with their free time? Where do they spend time online? What are their priorities? What is their income bracket?
These questions will answer who your marketing niche is. Don’t think that marketing to a niche will be like pigeon-holing your product. In the beginning you will have to craft messages to attract customers. These messages will be in the form advertising or a sales page or a seminar topic. Choosing a niche will allow you to focus and create a clear message. The more concise the message the better prospect you’ll attract. Think of choosing a niche as a starting point. When your business is ready to grow, you may create messages for additional niches, or broaden the scope of your current marketing campaign.
Why understand who your niche is? If men ages 25-39 usually purchase your product, will you tell your web designer to use lots of pink on your web page? Likely not. If your ideal clients are women who want to escape corporate America, will you buy discounted web banner space on AskMen.com? No.
Understand your niche, and you’ll be able to: 1. craft messages within your plan and 2. sculpt the steps of your marketing plan.
3. Create an Online Presence
Your website must be more than an online brochure. It is a tool that builds a business when the owner is not around. A website can serve as your business card, cash register, and business broker if done correctly. Learn about SEO (search engine optimization), how to collect names, and how to create online products (if your business is service based).
4. Build Relationships
Build a relationship with customers or clients of course. (This is something else that can be done via a good website.) However forge relationships with other business owners as well. Businesses that share your target market but don’t compete can send customers your way. Non-market related business owners are great sources to learn from. As an entrepreneur your new task is to keep learning how to keep your business thriving.
As a new entrepreneur your first priority is to form a marketing plan. The plan may be a challenge but it will yield long term rewards. Figuring out a target market is the first step. After discovering who you serve is clear, creating succinct messages to pull in their spending dollars will be easier. Then work on establishing an online presence and forming a supportive network. To receive SEO tips and learn about other online business tools my resource box below.
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