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When you start a business, you cannot just wait by the phone and hope it rings! You need to begin generating business as quickly as possible. You have got your business cards, designed your website, maybe got an office now all you need is customers. So where do you start?
One way to promote your new business, is to use social media, newspaper adverts, take out an advert in the big yellow book, rent space on the roadside for a massive campaign. All of these (with the exception of social media) cost money, that you probably haven't already got and therefore you must discount them. My method is free of a cash requirement, but will require a lot of effort on your part.
The way I have managed to generate custom for both of my new businesses is to use the local business telephone directory (the yellow one!) and start at the beginning, working my way through all of the businesses from A to Z that might be interested in my product. A cold call (ask for a manager or "decision maker"), a brief outline of what I offer, followed by the line "Can I email you my information and we can talk when you have had time to consider my product/service?" 95% of those you call will say yes (because at that moment in time they don't have time to talk) - so long as you have targeted the correct markets. If the potential customer does not have email (and believe me many people don't) then they will ask for you to send details via post.
Making all of these calls can become quite tedious and can be quite negative. I limit myself by time. I spend an hour 3 times a week going through the phone book and making calls. You have to be quite selective, thinking about the radius you wish to travel from your office and the businesses your product or service will best suit. You will be faced with people who are rude, and put the phone down as soon as you open your mouth, but keep smiling, replace the receiver and call the next guy! You have to keep that smile on your face and sound upbeat.
So you have made your phone calls (i usually manage 20-25 in an hour) and you have your email addresses. Now what are you going to put in that sales letter introducing your business?
1. Keep it short and to the point: if your email is too long then your prospect will not read it. Too many business people see time as a precious commodity and because of that your letter/email should be short and direct with no waffle or jargon.
2. A good "subject" header: If the subject of your email makes it sound like a sales circular, then it will automatically be deleted by the reader. Look at it this way, your prospect arrives at work in the morning, turns on his computer and has received 125 emails - you need yours to be the ONE that stands out. DO NOT however put it all in capital letters!!! Use something punchy but pointed, something that will draw him in.
3. Start with a pleasant introduction: Your letter should consist of 3 paragraphs. This is the first - a very brief introduction. Keep it simple - introduce yourself, your company, your location and a sentence describing your product or service. This should grab the reader and make them want to read on.
4. Main body: The second part of your letter should go on to describe your service or product - benefits, price guidelines etc in a more detailed fashion. These should be listed as bullet points making it easy to read and digest, thus making the reader think about your service / product, this should draw him into what you are offering
5. Conclusion: Thank them for their time, remain friendly and positive, point them in the direction of your website and give them details of any introductory offers you may be promoting your business with
6. Refrain from using anything other than positive language: do not use words like "hope" and "hopefully". You want their business, you are confident that you offer the best product or service around - whats more you are confident in your business and its use to your prospect. Remain upbeat and positive throughout
7. Be friendly: Make your prospect want to do business with you. Do not be overly familiar, or big headed (making claims that you cannot fulfill) just be an honest genuine person, somebody your prospect can trust to do the job you are offering to do.
If you stick to this formula then you will soon be doing the sort of business that you have always wanted to do, and your business will grow quickly and strongly. All you have to do once you start getting calls, is ensure that your promises are fulfilled.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dale_Preece-Kelly
