Franchise Money Maker

This article is written and owned by Sandra P. Martini

In marketing your business, there’s a line *out there*
between what’s effective for your ideal clients and what’s
just plain annoying.

That line is different for every one of your ideal clients
and for every business owner (even in the same industry).

I recently heard a very successful business owner say
“These days you have to market your heart out and I’m going
to hammer my list with. . .” and the name of the latest
program.

While I agree that you do need to market your business, and
do so effectively, I completely disagree with “hammering”
people, even knowing the business owner above meant it in
the sense of sending tons of promotional emails.

There is a point where your marketing becomes annoying and
not worth the benefit your readers otherwise receive.

So how do you know when you’re getting close?

1. Are you seeing more “unsubscribes” than usual?

2. Are clients leaving your membership programs — while
this absolutely relates to the quality of the program and
your relationship with members, it also relates to your
client’s overall perception of how you do business. I’ve
left good programs simply because I didn’t like the way
someone marketed their business.

3. Are you out of integrity somewhere with what you say
versus what you do — are you walking your talk?

These are all signs that you’re getting close to “that”
line.

Keep in mind however, that as long as you’re providing
valuable content in your communications with your readers
– ezine articles, blog posts, tips and strategies or
resources they can use in their business, etc. — the
“price” of all that f.r.e.e. information is that you will
also share info about your programs, products and services.

It essentially comes down to two things:

* you CONSISTENTLY providing ENOUGH valuable content so
that even if your latest product or service isn’t right for
your reader, they stay on because another product or
service may be just what they’re looking for and

* you remember the adage “Do unto others. . .” when it
comes to how much promotion you’re sending out.

Make It Real: My Request to You

I mention above that there’s a point where promotion
exceeds other benefits to your readers — it’s important to
remember that this point is:

1. defined by your readers, not you and 2. different for
everyone

Your responsibility is to decide what’s appropriate for
you, in your business and then “live up” to that
responsibility.

One way to promote your products, programs and services
without overwhelming your readers is to mix up the media.
Include some:

* email promotions * blog posts * video and audio snippets
* direct mail * fax and voice broadcasts (be sure you’re in
compliance with the law)

By mixing up the media, you have a great chance of getting
through all the *noise* out there without overwhelming or
annoying your ideal clients.

And the best part?

Once you create a plan, dare I say it. . .a SYSTEM, for the
above, you simply have to follow the steps for each
promotion.

Remember, this is about making and keeping it simple. . .

—————————————————-
For the past 5 years, Sandra Martini has been showing
self-employed business owners how to get more clients
consistently by implementing processes and systems to put
their marketing on autopilot. Visit Sandra at
http://www.SandraMartini.com for details, compelling client
testimonials and her free audio series “5 Simple and Easy
Steps to Put Your Marketing on Autopilot”.

Follow and Promote

Hide Sites