$1000 to grow a business, best ways

[joew]

i have a existing consulting company with a great reputation. The problem is we are not well know in the area. The clients that we do have swear by us. I need to grow this business. I know you guys here know alot about business. How would you spend this money to grow your business?

thanks guys

[Franakapan]

Get networking and maybe get some whitepapers/referals written up - leverage the good responses you have got from your existing clients.

[joew]

yea im about to join the local chamber of commerce, they have meetings and dinner mixers every month, i think it will help some

[tekmoney]

check the sig... then check out the networking article. it's a great way to increase local business awareness.

[nordicnomad]

I'd buy some nice suites and a few pairs of sturdy shoes and hit the streets looking for new clients.

What ever it is that you "consult" about, $1000 is plenty to get a bulk mailer to people in your area and then pay for the gas you'll need to get there and the presentation you'll have to show the prospect once you're there.

The biggest thing is to get your mug in front of as many people as possible and let the law of averages take hold. Even if you're only successful on 10% of you "visits" if you see enough people that's more business than you know what to do with.

Now get to work.

[akula]

Get networking and maybe get some whitepapers/referals written up - leverage the good responses you have got from your existing clients.

very good advice

joew, what you need to do with the money is invert your marketing funnel

huh? wtf, you ask?

watch seth godin's presentation to google

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_b...at_google.html

[joew]

wow guys, this is some great advice, i really appreciate it. here is what i have been doing. i have been out selling in person. for example, i walk into a company hand them some information and explain what i do. that has been fairly successful. my company is a IT Consulting company. so what are some ways to spend that money in the right areas? also i do dress nice every day, i wear slacks and a dress shirt, but no tie, i dont want to come off to high and mighty

[akula]

definitely the salesforce.com strategy

they've made millions doing this:

1) set up a conference room
2) invite your customers to come along and share their stories
3) invite other people to come to this conference, including friends of your customers
4) sell stuff to people at the end of the session
5) share some profits with the speakers

it works, it's cheap, it's better than alternatives

[joew]

what about advertising, what would be the best way to go for that? newspaper? radio? tv?

[The Stealthy One]

Why go for traditional advertising? Why not use the extra funds to develop a well-communicated referral program, whereby your existing clients can refer new clients for one of two rewards:

1. Cash
2. A discount on their services with you

They're already happy with your services. Now give them an incentive to share this happiness with others.

[monaarts]

Also, I think it would probably be beneficial for a company such as this one to create a website. Get some business cards, some brochures, and folders with your company info, website, and phone number on them and get them out. Bring them, by hand, to places that you feel may need them. It may also help to put a quote from your referral in there, something like:

"3 months ago Something Something IT Consulting helped me raise my profit by 4%!" - Jane Doe, Something Company

You can be a one man company with one client and still seem just as professional and reliable as the other HUGE companies as long as you present yourself that way. Also, I dont know where you are located but there is a website in Atlanta (and a few other cities for that matter) called Kudzu.com. Maybe you should check them out and see if they offer their service in your area.


-Joe

[zoobie]

Joining an organization helps. Also, think of ideas for a good advertising. Good luck!

[joew]

Why go for traditional advertising? Why not use the extra funds to develop a well-communicated referral program, whereby your existing clients can refer new clients for one of two rewards:

1. Cash
2. A discount on their services with you

They're already happy with your services. Now give them an incentive to share this happiness with others.

i have passed this info to my existing clients already, i offered free service for clients who referred a new client

[The Stealthy One]

Has that worked well?

[akula]

what about advertising, what would be the best way to go for that? newspaper? radio? tv?

this are currently unsuitable for your business

based on your cash position, value proposition and current capacity; mass ads are not suitable for your sales learning curve

if they were appropriate, i would have mentioned them