As the marketer of a small business, I have found many ways this year to get my business known. To help those that may need some direction, or are just looking for something new, here are my recommendations:
Social Media:
~Blog. Don't know what to write? Set up Google Alerts and check your email outbox.
~Smaller Indiana and other Ning sites relative to your business. The interaction is priceless.
~Twitter. Twitter. Twitter. If you don't think you should do it... You're wrong.
~Facebook-It's not just for friends. You can also create fan pages for your business and charities.
Local Offline Networking:
~BNI-International Networking. Chapters meet weekly and pass referrals with each meeting.
~Rainmakers-Meetings around Indiana nearly every day of the month.
~NOWIB-For Women only, and has great special interest groups.
~Chambers of Commerce-Local businesses networking. Monthly meetings with other after hours events.
Service Groups and other groups that make our world a better place:
~Find events that are accepting of in-kind donations for sponsorships. If you don't have a large budget, offer your services or product in return for the level of sponsorship you desire.
~Kiwanis-Groups of business people that genuinely care about making a difference in children's lives. Host events and carry out service projects to raise money for children's needs and other family and community catastrophes. There are also branches of Kiwanis for the youth to join; Key Club, Builder's Club, and K Kids are a few.
~Boys & Girls Clubs-These clubs provide a safe place for children under the age of 18 to come after school and receive homework help, participate in sports, and to learn how to interact with other youth under the supervision of approved staff and volunteers.
~Girl Scouts-Everyone has heard of Girl Scouts. Most have eaten Girl Scout cookies. If you have been wanting to make a difference in a girl's life, Girl Scouts is the best way to have a direct effect on a group of girls. So many girls don't have positive influences in their lives, and if you can provide that for one to twelve girls, you will have a whole new outlook on life.
~Local Schools-So many parents are working full time jobs these days, which leaves the classrooms and PTO's short of volunteers. Contact a school near you today to see how you can help.
My biggest recommendation is to utilize social media in every way that you possibly can. Social media is the cheapest and most effective way to connect, stay connected, and stay on people's minds. You must put in the sweat equity to make it work for you. Just having a blog or just having a Twitter account won't cut it. You HAVE to work it.
After you attend events and get those business cards and exchange that first phone call or email, take it to the next level; connect via at least one social media platform. You will learn so much more about your network and their needs if you stay connected online.
If you have questions about anything written here, please contact me:
nicki at squishdesigns.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 List of Indianapolis Area Networking Recommendations
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
It's 7:15 a.m.-Social Media=Nicki's News Feed
I fell asleep on last night on my living room floor with my laptop in front of me while trying to find the perfect font for a logo that we are doing for a new client, working on videos for an almost complete project, and generating some potential business from a new follower that I have on Twitter that is from Chicago. By the way, if after all my raves about Twitter, you still haven't checked it out, it's not too late!
I woke up to my Meatloaf-"I Would Do Anything For Love" alarm at 6:30 a.m. to make sure my oldest was up and at 'em. She was. I helped her fix her hair, then it was back downstairs to see what exactly I left off on last night before I dozed off.
-Check email. My Smaller Indiana folder had one message. Kelly Thrasher had replied to the latest Seth Godin forum discussion-"Anyone interested in meeting Seth Godin?!" Smaller Indiana is trying to get one of the best selling authors of marketing books to Indy!
-Check Twitter- I use Twitter as my news feed. Some things that I was led to from Twitter.
*5 Best Places to Travel in a Recession
*Wells Fargo is the first bank to use social media.
*Even though Obama stopped Tweeting, the amount of followers he is getting is increasing since the election.
*The new Indianapolis Airport ROCKS!
*MSNBC has an exclusive web-only interview with Sarah Palin.
Even if you don't have time to participate all the time, just taking the time to briefly visit a few different social media venues can provide you with a view on current info that you probably won't get from watching the 6:00 news. Try it! It's news you control.
