| Focus on narrow markets or niches | | | | You can offer a series of workshops for 5 to 10 |
| As a home based business, you probably don't have a | | | | people at a lower fee than you charge individual clients. |
| huge marketing budget. But you don't have to reach a | | | | The clients get a good deal and you make more |
| huge market either. You just have to choose your | | | | money. Having trouble filling that series? Then kick it off |
| clients carefully and craft a marketing strategy that | | | | by making the first one free. Make sure it's fun, make |
| shows YOU are the best qualified to meet their needs. | | | | sure it's valuable, but make sure that it's incomplete |
| In today's world, you can get your message across | | | | enough to leave them wanting more. Pass around the |
| cheaply and easily using techniques like social media, | | | | sign up sheet for the remaining paid sessions and offer |
| blogging and newsletters. But, your communication | | | | to send a newsletter or ebook to people who aren't |
| won't be effective if it doesn't speak to the needs of | | | | ready to commit yet. Keep their attention, and maybe |
| your audience. And that's were a finely defined niche | | | | they may sign up for the next one. |
| will help. Pick a small section of the market and | | | | Keep track of your results |
| become an expert on their needs. Understand their | | | | Monitor each step in the marketing process. A |
| problems better than they do, and concentrate on | | | | company like Net Atlantic or Constant Content can |
| showing what you can add to their life. It's important to | | | | provide inexpensive services to help you develop and |
| understand what your customers value on a deep | | | | maintain an emailing list. Check to see who opens your |
| level. | | | | emails and who clicks on the links. What links do they |
| For example, take the cell phone. Sure, it makes | | | | click on? What articles get the best response? Which |
| communicate easy and portable. But why is that | | | | subject lines get your ezines opened? |
| important? To a business owner, it may bring the | | | | To track activity on your website use the free tools |
| peace of mind to be able to touch base with the home | | | | offered by Google. Google Analytics is a free tool that |
| office even while traveling. To a working parent, it may | | | | will provide all kinds of information. How much traffic |
| mean the ability to spend less time at the office and | | | | does your website get? Where do your visitors come |
| more time with family. Know who you are trying to | | | | from? Which links do they click? All this and more is |
| reach and connect with them by showing how you | | | | readily available. |
| add the value that they are looking for. | | | | Track all the information you can, and use what you |
| If it's for free, it's for me | | | | learn to refine your marketing efforts. Never stop |
| Most of us would whole heartedly agree with that | | | | learning about your clients and never make the |
| statement. And so will your potential clients. Find ways | | | | mistake of treating your existing customers like they |
| to tease them into or business or onto your website | | | | are less important than the potential customers you |
| with free offers. For example, if you're a life coach | | | | are chasing. |
| trying to fill your practice, think about group coaching. | | | | |