What Scrappy Marketing Solutions Can Do for YOU
I recently did a phone consult with a new marketing client. After the initial hi’s and hello’s, he asked, “So. Angie. What is it that you actually…you know…do?” I laughed out loud. I guess it’s time to define myself and my services a bit more.
It’s my job to help small businesses get noticed. I work with business owners to brainstorm different ways to promote their products and services economically, and then help them with spreading the word. I specialize in Website and Blog Consulting.
Here’s how it works:
The process begins with a phone call. Let’s say I’m working with Betty Business-Owner. (Clever, I know.) I ask Betty to tell me a little bit about her business, and her marketing goals. She describes her “target market”, the people most likely to do business with her. Betty answers my “leading questions” to help define problem areas, so I can figure out where I can help. I ask what marketing techniques she’s tried, and what has and hasn’t worked for her in the past. All this information forms a sort of snapshot of the current situation. Then we take that, and see where we could tweak things.
Together we determine what products or services need attention, and brainstorm ways to increase exposure and awareness within her target market. I offer suggestions on ways to reach her target market, both on and offline. We come up with an Action Plan of steps Betty can take to start promoting her business more effectively. After the phone call (which lasts about an hour, typically), I follow up with an email, outlining the main points discussed, and the next steps to take.
One of the Action Items we discuss is beefing up her blog. I offer a sort of Review-and-Revise service for websites and blogs (also called blog consulting). I’ll review the navigation, content, and promotional tools on a blog, and provide suggestions on what should be tweaked to improve traffic and search engine rankings. I can easily identify what’s missing, and can give simple instructions on how to make the changes. We may discuss adding an online press room, revising subject lines, or potential blog topics.
(Of course, I can also write these pieces for her, so she doesn’t have to worry about getting to it later.)
Later, Betty decides she wants to get a little more cutting-edge with her promotion. I might offer to call and interview her, and/or members of her staff, using talking points she provides. I’ll record the call as an mp3 file, playable on computers and portable mp3 players like an iPod. She can post that file on her website or blog, or burn it to a CD to send out to media and prospective clients.
The scenarios above should give you an idea of what it’s like to work with me, and how I can help you promote your business. Please feel free to click around the site to get familiar with some of my work, and then email me at angieATonescrappysite.com to get the ball rolling. I’d love to hear from you!
