New Startup trying to get clients...

**713itsolutions** · 05-27-2011 08:13 AM

Hi,
I recently launched my new startup and been having some difficulty trying to generate some new clients. Sales and marketing are not my thing as i'm a very technical person. I have setup a website and and also a Facebook page to have people follow.

What would be some great ways to generate some new leads and clients?

Thanks!
Tony

**PennyBartlow** · 06-03-2011 03:56 PM

Depending on what your business is, you could write some relevant Ezine articles and include a link to your website. Make sure the link to your site is on everything you post online!

Penny Bartlow
Receive the ‘WEALTH MINDSET REPORT’
http://apps.attainresponse.com/home/...f5.com/WMR+Q11

**713itsolutions** · 06-03-2011 04:13 PM

Hi Penny,
Thanks for the reply. Our business is IT Solutions.
Its a good idea as we can write articles on latest trends and reviews on the hottest tech gadget!
Thanks
Tony

**Kim Marren** · 06-03-2011 08:27 PM

Dear Tony,

Congratulations on the recent launch of your new business. Most new entrepreneurs are uncertain of their abilities in at least one core area. For some it's accounting, for others it's sales and mrketing. You'll need to identify tools you feel comfortable with to succeed in growing your business.

You don't mention whether your services are designed for the individual PC user or the business community. If your intended market is the individual consumer, you could consider approaching your local library, neighborhood association, or Chamber of Commerce and offer to present a brief seminar or workshop on an IT topic that would be of interest to their members. Your goal wouldn't necessarily be to make immediate sales, but to introduce yourselves and to make people aware of the types of problems you can solve for them.

That said, an entrepreneur friend of mine recently described the success she's been having with the "end of the program" approach. Whenever she gives a presentation at a local networking event, she mentions that if anyone would like to receive a copy of her monthly newsletter, she'll be happy to receive their business cards. And oh, by the way, she typically charges $$$ for her services, but if you schedule an appointment at the conclusion of her talk today, she'll grant this audience a 40% discount. She's been amazed at the volume of business she's been able to generate using this approach.

If you'll be competing in the B2B arena, you can research the IT problems your target companies are experiencing and then approach them with a solution. Generally speaking, companies' internal problems aren't publicized, so you're going to have to do a bit of sleuthing to find out what issues they're facing. Companies can't afford to sit patiently through another sales call with a vendor who doesn't have the slightest understanding of the problems they're confronting. Offer them a well-thought-out solution, however, and you're likely to get their ear.

As the other respondents have suggested, find an approach you're comfortable with - - writing ezine articles, whitepapers, newsletters, etc. - - and then expand your marketing efforts to include other tools. Don't give up, and soon you'll find your client base expanding.

**PennyBartlow** · 06-08-2011 12:11 PM

Another low risk, high return marketing effort is to hire a sales person on a commission basis. Their sole job is to introduce your services to potential clients or centers of influence who can refer you to potential clients. You only pay them when they close a sale so there is no financial risk. The challenge is to find the right person for the job, but when you do - they can make a lot of money and so can your business!

Penny Bartlow
Get Your ‘WEALTH MINDSET REPORT’
http://apps.attainresponse.com/home/...f5.com/WMR+Q11

**Michael Halper** · 06-10-2011 05:33 PM

Penny,

Sales and marketing is our specialty and would be open to learning more about where you are and the direction you would like to go. But without knowing very many details, I would say that below are five good steps for you to work on:

1. Online networking through social media, which it sound like you have already started
2. Face-to-face networking by meeting with friends, family, colleagues, going to events, etc.
3. Search engine optimization / SEO
4. Email marketing
5. Phone prospecting