Generating leads for new clients help.

Lotta_Littlies

Does anyone have any idea's of how I can generate leads for a new small business offering transcription/copy typing/proof reading services. I'm at the point now where I've thought and thought and thought and now my head hurts because I'm thinking so much and getting nowhere! Need some clarity lol!

Obviously I don't have very much money at all for big ads or marketing strategies but I still need to do something to "get out there".

Advertising in specialist mags I think may be too much money but if I could think of a publication that would "work" and hit a lot of potential clients I'd consider it. Any ideas would be gratefully accepted.

Also does anyone here design and print leaflets.... for a verrrrry reasonable price?!

Lotta

hot.chick

Get on the phones and have a ring round!

See if that gets you anywhere - even if you ring up for email address and then email them your leaflet - might be cheaper then getting the, printed and psying to post the, out??????

Lotta_Littlies

I don't think kids fighting in the background would sound too professional lol!

Lotta

Prits8

Hey Lotta i really appreciated the reply earlier regards client clauses. Anyways have you tried classified sections in your council website they are normally free i am advertising Free with my local council website.

gingerdad

What about contacting Marketing/Printers/Designers who often use proof reading and copy writing.

Savvy_Sue

I'd say you need to think who's going to take you up on this service. Are there any businesses locally offering conference services? (Universities, colleges etc included!) They'd be worth contacting. Also maybe printers might be glad to offer proofreading services to their clients - if I had £1 for every mistake I've spotted in a leaflet we've just got back! ...

And making phone calls: can you 'swap' kids with a friend once a week and use some child-free time for that?

Nelski

• Carry flyers and leaflets describing your business
• Everyday commit to adding one contact to your database
• Use business cards in an effective way
• Become an expert in a small area and call/email prospects with info
• Industry specific magazine advertising
• PR – Press releases
• Open evening with invites
• Direct mail campaigns
• Letterheads with strap lines and logos
• Brand consistency throughout
• Personal image of the salesperson
• Website
• Networking
• Presentations to small groups
• Guest speaker slots
• Greetings cards to customers and prospects
• Trade shows
• Branded giveaways
• Display success stories on the web site
• Include promotional material with your invoices
• Join a business breakfast club
• Talk to your business neighbours/friends/family
• Set up as many reciprocal networking agreements as possible
• Give it away for free
• Wear your own badge on customers sites
• Link up with aligned websites
• Read the local and business press – send notes/cards to successes
• Set standards for phone answering
• Always give company name and full name
• Produce a company video
• Produce a company CD business card
• Introduce incentives for new business. Make it fun
• Get excited about your business tell everyone
• Use branded materials people want to keep
• Offer a refer a friend incentive for existing/past customers
• Keep excellent records on database access daily
• Surround yourself with positive messages in the office
• Join the Chamber of Commerce/Junior Chamber
• Find industry specific forums on the internet
• Offer loyalty discounts right from the start
• Unconditionally call your database regularly
• Have a launch event
• Attach a lottery ticket to 50 key mailings
• Talk to parents at children’s parties
• Polo shirts with logos on for casual based companies
• Pitch presentations are yours make them enjoyable
• Commit to at least one chicken call per day
• Have a clear referral process for your customers
• Totally differentiate yourself from the way others are doing it
• Make it fun for your customers to work with you
• Be quirky

Thats a 3 day course covered then!!

Lotta_Littlies

Phew Nelski, I feel tired just reading that! Thank you.

Yes Sue I am targeting the Uni's etc. As for a kid swap it's completely out of the question. Still I shall keep at it. I'll get there one day, or die trying!

Lotta