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Promoting a starting business. How?

by ongur
10 replies
Hello everyone.

As the title says, I need some input in how to promote a starting business. I would like to focus on offline methods for doing this.

But first, here's a little information. My girlfriend is very talented at nailart.
I'm not even kidding, she's fantastic. I've started a facebook page for her business and I'm working at a website at this moment. But that's ofcourse not offline marketing.

She has a nailart studio at her house, which is where she receives the customers. Just HOW do I promote her business in the most effective way?
So far we have designed business cards, which we leave behind at local stores. This has lead to a few extra customers, but not nearly as much as I would've wanted it to.

All input is greatly appreciated.





Thank you in advance,

Ongur
#business #promoting #starting
  • Profile picture of the author rugman
    Get the local paper to do a story - mine is always looking for new businesses to feature. it was free for my carpet cleaning biz and brought in tons of business.
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    • Profile picture of the author ongur
      Originally Posted by rugman View Post

      Get the local paper to do a story - mine is always looking for new businesses to feature. it was free for my carpet cleaning biz and brought in tons of business.
      That's not a bad idea actually. Do you have an idea of how much it can cost? Are we talking about 50 euros or about like 250+ euros? I know you got it for free, but maybe you know because of your experience.
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      • Profile picture of the author Shane F
        My best source of new offline marketing customers is my current customers. Have her give cards to her current customers and also ask them to share their nail work on their social media accounts. Offer a referral fee or discount for new customers they refer. Plain and simple word-of-mouth marketing is sometimes the easiest and highest ROI you can implement.
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      • Profile picture of the author planetlubs
        Originally Posted by ongur View Post

        That's not a bad idea actually. Do you have an idea of how much it can cost? Are we talking about 50 euros or about like 250+ euros? I know you got it for free, but maybe you know because of your experience.
        You do not have to pay any Euro to have your girlfriend business/service featured in local newspapers or radio. All reporters (Radio, Newspaper and TV) are hungry for a good story to publish and if you present it to them in the right way, you can always be guaranteed of free and huge publicity.

        I have got my services featured on Radio and National new papers free or charge by following a simple strategy where by I send a press release to the editor of the local newpaper and radio and then follow up with a phone call.

        I highly recommend that you download this free ebook (HOW TO GET FREE Publicity for your local small business)

        Also Read this post here which gives lots of profitable tips on geting the free radio and print publicity.

        How To Get Free Publicity For Your Business On TV And Radio

        http://www.msbdc.org/semass/pub_file...epublicity.pdf

        Back in 2007, I got an email from Perry Marshall that helped me to put implement that above and get the results I mentioned. I saved that email and below it is:

        Originally Posted by Perry Marshall

        SUBJECT: Free Publicity For Zero-Budget Marketers.

        You already know about generating sales leads
        with e-mail. Here's something you might not know.

        All reporters are hungry for a good story. And
        our fictional hero, Randy Rep, has some great fodder
        for a reporter who's desperate for just that. He can
        send out this press release to local newspapers or
        business newsletters:

        For Immediate Release
        Contact: Randy Rep
        Phone: 555-5555
        E-mail: randy@randyrep.com
        Subject: Best-Practices Update for Minnesota Manufacturing

        Randy Rep Company has produced three technical guides
        for local manufacturers, and will send one or all upon
        request.

        1) 7 Steps to Ink Reduction for Printing Presses - this
        1-page guide explains why oil based inks become
        less efficient as they age, and how to optimize
        inventory to reduce ink consumption. Tip #5 is
        especially useful because it doesn't require the
        company to spend any money at all - it takes
        advantage of a little-known trick that was invented
        in the 1930's.

        2) How to use sensors to detect non-metallic surfaces -
        this 1-page guide surveys the options that are available
        for many different kinds of materials: Glass, plastic,
        wood, fabric - and how to minimize the number of
        false readings. A company in White Bear Lake, MN
        used this idea to solve a problem that they'd been
        scratching their heads about for 2 years.

        3) Case study: How one customer cut the energy
        consumption in his warehouse by 18% ($850 per
        month!) with a $180 investment - and zero
        complaints from the staff.

        These guides are available upon request, just
        e-mail Guides@RandyRep.com or call 555-5555
        or fax 555-5557.

        # # #

        Note to editor: Randy Rep works with local
        manufacturers every day and can talk to you
        about local economic, technology and employment
        issues. A Q&A sheet is also available that outlines
        some of the main concerns that Randy's customers
        are talking about this spring.


        Now granted, this stuff isn't going to be front-page
        news.

        But all Randy has to do is type up a Q&A sheet -
        issues that his customers are complaining about
        lately - and fax this press release to 20-30
        newspapers around the state.

        If Randy does this every month, he'll get
        airtime, and the PR will make the phone ring.

        You can do it too.

        To Your Success,

        Perry Marshall
        Signature
        1.==> {UNIQUE} $100/Day FACEBOOK PROFITS FORMULA 4 ANYONE.

        2.==>         21 PROFITABLE NICHES - FREE! "GET These 21 Proven profitable Niches, Plus 21 Affiliate Niche Discovery Resources This Guy Uses To Earn $4,598/Week!" Download Here
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        • Profile picture of the author Garble
          planetlubs has a good point. I can't help but think of all the local TV stations that run some consumer alert segment on the nightly news. They tell you what to watch out for when buying this, doing that, and who got scammed.

          If you were to write up a press release, like it was outlined above, that told the reader about all the dangers of pedicures and hepatitis transmission or made in China nail polish, you would be doing most of the reporter's work for them. They have deadlines, they might use this.

          Then, for the story, they consult your girlfriend about the proper procedures to prevent hepatitis/lead/melamine/cadmium laced nail polish. This portrays her as the local expert on nails. The expert that knows how to protect her clients.
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          • Profile picture of the author jaudet
            I would go with Youtube and Free Classifieds.

            No... they are not online methods.

            Create a video, optimize it and rank it in both Youtube and Google for local searches. Also, classified are often a quick way to generate leads.

            I would also put mouth to ears like it was mentioned by a warrior. It is very powerful. You could simply make business cards at let's say vistaprint (low cost) and distribute them to her customers. This way, her customers are actually doing to work of making referrals.
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      • Profile picture of the author rugman
        Originally Posted by ongur View Post

        That's not a bad idea actually. Do you have an idea of how much it can cost? Are we talking about 50 euros or about like 250+ euros? I know you got it for free, but maybe you know because of your experience.
        It was free for me - this was our local paper (actually hot a bunch of towns round us) - they are starving for local stories!
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        • Profile picture of the author midasman09
          Banned
          Here's a Promo I helped a buddies wife with (she does Nail-Art too)

          I also did this when my wife had her Antiques Shoppes going;

          Make up Special Discount Coupons to be given FREE at local beauty Salons. These "look like and are the same shape, size and color as dollar bills except.....a Photo of your girlfriend is in the center oval and a $1 Graphic in each of the 4 corners and the words;

          ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++
          NAIL ART BUCK
          (This coupon good for $1 towards purchase of any Nail-Art Service)

          Name & Phone and List of services
          +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

          You can have a quick-print shop print a batch of these, 50 coupons in a batch, 3-up on a regular sheet of colored paper (light Green)

          Offer abatch of 50 to local salons....telling the owner you'd like to provide these "Dollar Off" coupons at no charge, for her to give to her customers as a "Thank-You" gift for her customers.

          Granted, some salon owners won't hand them out HOWEVER I've found many WILL .....as Appreciation for having their hair done at her shop.

          Worked for us at our Antique Shoppe and should work much better in beauty salons.

          Best of Success to you,

          Don Alm....marketing guy
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
    Originally Posted by ongur View Post

    Hello everyone.

    She has a nailart studio at her house, which is where she receives the customers. Just HOW do I promote her business in the most effective way?
    Sounds like you could bump up referrals with existing customers.

    Make sure to acquire, store and MAINTAIN each of the client's cellphone number. Tell them you can text message specials and discounts, offer discounts for referrals they generate (a referral is SUPER easy to do for them if they have your info in a text message you sent).

    Send appointment reminders the day before they come in to get their nails done.

    SMS/Text messaging is cheap, immediate branding, it is something they will appreciate (the reminder), and makes it super easy to pass along your info as a referral. Especially with nail beautification --- I can just imagine two women standing in line at the grocery store, one gets complimented on her nails and then the other says, "what's your number, I will text you the place I got them done." Bam. Referral executed.

    The appointment reminder will most likely also reduce no-shows too (a no-show = no $).
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    • Profile picture of the author Garble
      Contact some salons in the area that do not offer nail service. See if you can work out a deal to send each other referrals.


      Are there any bottle your own wine businesses around you. Buy a selection of their stock and ask the owner to send some referrals your way. Tell him that each lady gets a glass of wine while having her nails done. The wine store owner benefits because the women get to try out the different wines without having to buy a case of the stuff. You could arrange hen parties using the same theme. Don't women get their nails done prior to a wedding?


      Deals could be worked out with other merchants like tanning salons. Flower shops and Valentine's day. Is there anyway that you could get guys to buy their women a gift certificate for your wife's service?


      Maybe some ads on dating sites that are geo targeted to your area. These women are going on dates, they want to look their best.
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