Business networking groups have a mission to bringing
business owners and entrepreneurs together for the purpose of building
relationships and generate new business opportunities. These networking groups
attract local customers and are the most effective method for you to market and
grow your business quickly.
Most businesses begin their marketing campaigns locally
utilizing local sources to determine the effect it would generate and business
networking groups offer opportunities for you to identify your locally targeted
audience, whether you are reaching out to business to business (B2B) or
business to customers (B2C).
Once you’ve determined that the marketing campaign has been
a success locally you may want decide to expand their reach to other area.
To achieve the most out of marketing with your local
business networking group there are a couple of steps you need to accomplish
before proceeding with your marketing campaigns.
FIRST STEP: Create a Domain Name
Create a domain name for your business to
identify your business over the internet.
There are several companies you can choose to register and host your
domain at a fairly low cost. Below is a
list of domain hosting companies you may want to consider, simply click on the
links to visit website:
SERVICE PROVIDER
|
COST
|
Starting
at $0.99/year
|
|
Starting at
$8.99/year
|
|
Starting
at $37.00/year
|
Keep in mind that the cost of your domain
depends on the TLD (Top Level Domain - examples: .com, .org, .tv….). I find 1and1.com to be the best solution for
my domain needs, I’ve been using them for years with no problems and they are
the most affordable. Most domain service
packages include a website, email and storage.
Just want to also mention that domain names are transferable, so you can
purchase your domain from one service provider and build your website on
another and transfer your domain.
SECOND STEP: Build a
Website
If you decide to use one of the domain
hosting services listed in the FIRST STEP or you choose another services
provider, note that once you have a registered domain name you would need to set
up an attractive website to include details about your company, products and/or
services. Make sure your contact information is visible on all pages. You don’t have to be a web designer to create
an attractive website, most websites building sites provide you with many
template options you can choose that would best suit your business. And if you need additional assistance they
also provide tutorials to help in building your website. Below is a list of website builder services
you may want to check out, simply click on the links to visit website:
SERVICE PROVIDER
|
COST
|
Starting
at $5.95/mo
|
|
Starting at
$1.00/mo (1 year plan)
|
|
Starting
at $3.75/mo (2 year plan)
|
|
Starting at
$4.99/mo
|
|
Starting
at $4.99/mo
|
Some of these website service providers
offer a free starter package, which you can take advantage, but keep in mind
that if it is free it still comes with a price and the price is that your
website would include advertisements from other companies which is not
attractive and can drive potential customers away from your website.
THIRD STEP: Determine
your Marketing Budget
Marketing first begins with a plan and your plan is
to market locally to attract local customers. Business Networking Groups has
many marketing opportunities for every business on every budget. Once you’ve
determined how much is available to spend, for accounting purposes you’d want
to stay within your mean of the budge you’ve created.
Now that you have completed the first few steps to prepare
you and increase your chances for better results of your marketing campaigns,
you are ready to contact your local business networking group to learn the ways
you can to effectively reach you local audience. Below are 10 ways to utilize business
networking groups to market your business locally online and offline to grow
your business and maintain your marketing budget.
OFFLINE
MARKETING
1.
Rent
table space at a local event, show samples of your products and
services. This is an affordable and
effective way to showcase your business.
2.
Sponsor
your venue to local event organization to host an event. This is a great
opportunity for you to attract new customers. Whether you are a new business or
just seeking new customers, this is a great way for you market what your
company has to offer.
3.
Include
your marketing materials in goody bags and welcome bags. Add your brochures, catalogs and
promotional material to local event goody bags or welcome bags, make sure it
includes your contact information. This
is a great way to reach all the attendees at the event.
4.
Donate a
raffle as a giveaway at a local event you are attending, include your
business card, flyer, catalog, order form or coupon.
5.
Join a
local business networking group. Most
business networking groups have a low cost enrollment fee to join their
organization. Joining the organization can provide you with marketing and
advertising opportunities at reduced rates.
6.
Purchase
a Local mailing lists, this is a
great way to reach the targeted audience you want. Local mailing lists can
provide you with contact of local potential customers; it’s a great way for you
to mail your marketing campaigns to local prospects.
ONLINE MARKETING
7.
Rent ad
space on local company’s website. Some business associations allow you to
rent ad space on their website with company banner. This is an affordable way to attract local
customer and increase your website traffic.
8.
List your
business information in local business directories. Customers seeking your
business products or services will certainly start their search locally and you
want to be found. Business directory can be an affordable marketing method and
will also gain more website traffic.
9. Publicize your campaigns
through local email marketing. For a more creative awareness and to
stay on top of the minds of our your local community, local email marketing is an effective marketing
method to help you get your message out
to your local customers about your products or service promotions, campaigns,
updates and event.
ONLINE AND; OFFLINE MARKETING
10. Local Sponsorships Opportunities. If your budget is a little bigger you may want to consider local
sponsorship. Local sponsorship
opportunities allow you to expose your business products and/or services online
and offline. It’s a great to gain good
publicity, enhance you visibility and build your brand awareness for a
relatively small investment.
Using these offline and offline marketing
methods will help bring, visibility, website traffic and growth to your
business. You can either choose one or more than one to market your business,
but keep in mind that you must be consistent with your marketing campaigns.
Marketing your campaign one time would not be as effective as marketing three
or more times.
About
the Author, Theresa Todman, Founder of Westchester Networking for Professionals
(WNFP) , a business organization located in Westchester County, NY. If you’re
ready to market to our local community contact me at ttodman@wnfp.org or visit us online at www.wnfp.org.
