The Big Question for Small Business Owners: Where do I start? How do I get the Message Out?

by Doug Stewart on May 14, 2010

Getting Your Message OutAfter reading, What Small Business Owners Need to Grow their Business in Today’s World, Site Tech asked:

“Wow! Where to start. I actually have three segments of my business that all tie together in my grand plan of things. The problem is I don’t know exactly where to start. I have checked and rechecked and rechecked and everything and everyone (customers, friends, family, strangers and competitors) see that I have a very good competivive advantage. The problem is, how do I get the message out”

Here’s your answer . . .

First, define exactly who your potential customers are. Think about a real person that would be your ideal client. What do they read? What do they do online? Are there forums or online communities where they ask each other questions and share experiences?

For a lot of people LinkedIn is a great start. For you, I think there are several others that would be better. Online forums have been around for a long time. I’m sure there is one that is perfect for your prospective clients.

Pick only one community to start. Join the community. Answer questions. Ask questions. Get known in that community as someone others can trust.  Make sure your profile has a link to your website. If you can include a signature with your post, include a tag line or slogan and a link to your website. People will start checking out your website and things about you AFTER they start trusting you in their community. Hope that helps.

SIDE NOTE: If you can’t find a community online for your prospective clients, then create one. Create one on Facebook or LinkedIn. That’s what the tools are for.

What’s Next?

Next, start a blog. You’ll find more info about starting a business blog here, How to Blog Effectively for Your Business. One of the great things about a blog is that you can publish a post on your blog and automatically share your blog post on Facebook, LinkedIn and  several other places.

One whole section of this website is devoted to blogging for business. In the next few days, I’ll be sharing more info about growing your business with your blog. So stay tuned.

Thanks again Site Tech for asking your question in the comments. Your questions and comments are one of the reasons blogs are powerful. They start conversations and help others learn more from each other. If you’ve thought about asking a question or commenting on this blog before, don’t be shy. Just do it. You’ll help others and yourself by sharing your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Doug Stewart

“Giving You the Power to Fight the Big Boys!”

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Tagged as: answer question, big questions, blog, Business, do i, exactly, Facebook, how do i get, linkedin, online community, online social networking, question, question answer, questions, recheck, Small Business, small business owner, social information processing, Social media, start, the big, the message, web 2.0, world wide web

  • Site Tech

    Thanks! It is nice to know that I am at least on the right track! The other day I was informed by my Ad Reap for the local newspaper that they have free blogs on their web site and anyone can post a blog. Even more amazing is the fact that they feature 3 bloggers at a time on the front page in a round robin manner. So this means that anyone that anyone that keeps their blog rolling with good content can actually occupy a portion of their front page.

    So to address your specific tips… I know my target market for each of my three segments. The blog at the newspaper adresses one of them. Your tips about message boards or forums addresses the other and for the thrid…. well I may just create a community for them.

    One key pice of advice that you mentioned is that you should get know in the online community that you are posting to. This is indeed very important and I am a firm believe that in the online world of spam messages and message board abuse one should always give more than they receive… in the end it will pay off.

    Site Tech
    http://www.computerserviceforms.com

  • http://www.powertofightthebigboys.com/ Doug Stewart

    I firmly believe in the give first and then receive philosophy. And it sounds like your local paper is offering you a great tool with their free blog. You're on your way.

  • Site Tech

    Thanks! It is nice to know that I am at least on the right track! The other day I was informed by my Ad Reap for the local newspaper that they have free blogs on their web site and anyone can post a blog. Even more amazing is the fact that they feature 3 bloggers at a time on the front page in a round robin manner. So this means that anyone that anyone that keeps their blog rolling with good content can actually occupy a portion of their front page.

    So to address your specific tips… I know my target market for each of my three segments. The blog at the newspaper adresses one of them. Your tips about message boards or forums addresses the other and for the thrid…. well I may just create a community for them.

    One key pice of advice that you mentioned is that you should get know in the online community that you are posting to. This is indeed very important and I am a firm believe that in the online world of spam messages and message board abuse one should always give more than they receive… in the end it will pay off.

    Site Tech
    http://www.computerserviceforms.com

  • http://www.powertofightthebigboys.com/ Doug Stewart

    I firmly believe in the give first and then receive philosophy. And it sounds like your local paper is offering you a great tool with their free blog. You're on your way.

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