How to Successfully Market Yourself in 5 Easy Steps

nastya_gepp / Pixabay

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful feeling to find free or inexpensive ways to promote yourself without breaking the bank? It may be hard to believe and it may even surprise you, but you can.

As a writer, I am constantly approached by people asking one question, “How can I successfully market myself?” From experience, I can tell you what looks to be an extremely difficult task can be achieved effortlessly and effectively in 5 simple, easy steps.

1.) Create an image:
The first step is to determine how you want to be seen by the public. This is a very important step, as it is how you will be foreseen and the way people will relate to you.
As for myself, I found it best to be open and honest. The more honest you are about yourself and who you are, the more people will be able to relate to you. Having people that can relate to you and your style will determine the amount of success you will achieve throughout your career.

2.) Be your own publicity team:
Whether you’re an upcoming writer, artist, actress or actor, more than likely you will be forced to pinch pennies. The high cost of a professional marketing team can and will be your first hurdle when you’re on a tight, strict budget. No one has thousands of dollars to hand out to pay for a full time publicist so the best and most powerful suggestion one can make is to serve as your own publicist. Who can better market you, than yourself?

 

350543 / Pixabay

3.) Take advantage of free offers:
Take full advantage of free offers and ways to promote yourself. Whether it is through your local public library, an online networking site, online or print newspapers or free press release websites. An easy and effective way to successfully market you is to submit articles to online and print newspapers, as well as free press release websites. Most small town newspapers have a lot of free space, and are more than happy to write a feature story on talented, new and upcoming people. I have also found the most popular free press release website is www.freepressrelease.com. One can submit multiple press releases by simply registering.

4.) Create a website:
For little to no money you can create a personal website showcasing you and your talents. This website will allow you to effectively promote and market yourself. A personal website is a valuable asset and an excellent way to gain national exposure. Consider having more than one networking site. Popular choices are Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and Linked In.

5.) Networking:
This is a very important step to achieve successful results. Whether you choose Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Linked In or a personal website, now it is time to start networking. By reaching out to others you can allow them to share personal information and your talents, as you gain nation-wide exposure. Once you begin networking, you will begin to notice an increase of followers and exposure. In most cases this tends to happen rather quickly.

Breana Orland is a writer for Education Grants. Breana also gives advice on the pursuit of higher education and career options for young adults.

What to Include on Your Website If You Want to Attract New Clients

What to Include on Your Website If You Want to Attract New Clients
By Cheryl Roose

Now don’t get upset by what I say but try to see this from your clients point of view. Most websites I see it looks as though we in the industry are trying to impress each other with our talent rather than appealing to the clients who we are wanting to do business with. They are usually flooded with young pretty girls, thin girls, who have perfect hair and skin and are wearing suggestive clothing if any sporting hair no one would ever wear on the street. Being in the beauty industry I can truly appreciate and admire the artists talent but what does the client see and will this bring them through your door or intimidate them?

I also see salons trying to sell to the client by telling them how wonderful they are rather than giving the client what they want.

If you have a lot of clients and your public profile is all your website is designed for then by all means put up the flashy pictures of hairstyles and impress people with the talent of your team. But if your primary purpose is to attract clients with your site then build it to work for you How do you do this?

1. Know who you are looking to attract by knowing the profile of the person who will see value in being a client of your salon…your ideal client.
2. Capture their attention by giving them something they will value.
3. Gain their trust that you are the expert to care for their needs.

 

What to include with your strategy:

Include a very brief “tip” of the week so visitors see value in returning to your site. I know a salon blog can serve this purpose as well but clients don’t always spend enough time roaming your site to get the good stuff, offer it right there on the home page.

This “tip” when promoted right is your golden opportunity to subtly introduce them to your salon brand while giving them a piece of valuable information. For example; if your salon is famous for doing corrective color, share with your visitors just how a proper color consultation should be done to ensure client satisfaction. Be careful not to say “this is how we do it here” but adapt the tone of “look for this is the salon you choose to care for your tresses”.

Have an opt in box where you can collect their name and email address. These days people are reluctant to give out this information for a simple newsletter so you must make the offer so appealing that they can’t wait to get what you are offering. Again, if you have done the work to know your ideal client and position the offer as something they WANT, not need they will be happy to provide this information in exchange for the gift.

Your gifts could include hair and makeup photo shoots for company portfolios if you are attracting corporate clients. Couple massage lessons for the active dual income earner clients or a series of how to videos to keep the glow in aging skin.

*Remember when making your offer that it is purely a gift that you know will change their lives. Once you give them value they will be more inclined to buy from you and now that you have their name and email address you can follow up with salon specials, promotions and events that will bring them through the door.

Please share your ideas in the comment box that proved successful with my readers

To great success,

Cheryl Roose
http://www.sossalonoperatingsystem.com

Your Email address is What?

NDE / Pixabay

For crying out loud people! For the last time! IF YOU ARE IN BUSINESS use your website email address branding! Enough with the free advertising of free accounts.
the email address

The email address is NETZERO??? really, I didn’t even know they were still around! C’mon SCORE, time to tighten up your game! Whats YOUR email address?

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