What is the best way to get the word out about my business?

Print & Radio advertising is dead, TV is going away with cord cutting. You need to solidify your social media presence immediately and be active on it. Create a good looking website that validates your business and stay active on social media. Do not pay for Yelp, Home Advisor, or others like that. The only place to get a great value for Paid digital advertising is Facebook. Lastly, make videos and post to your Youtube account, facebook, vimeo, instagram once a week.....repeat that last line 4 times, and get it done.

Oh, I almost forgot...if you're not keeping up and optimizing your Google my Business profile, you technically don't exist to Google; so get that done

As a Business Coach, I will tell you that there are several different ways to market your business--many of them inexpensive and easy to implement. First, it is always important for an entrepreneur to make many friends. You will have a better chance of getting good business from people if they like you and trust you. Therefore, getting out there and meeting people is your first step. Keep in mind, though, when you are meeting new people, they are not going to like or trust the typical "salesperson sleaze"--someone who just wants to get their cash; be friendly and personable, not persistent and fake.

What else can you do? Fliers. Besides word-of-mouth, this technique is the least expensive. The design of your flier is the most important part, so give it plenty of attention. You want it to be easy to read--bold your company name and anything else you feel is important to emphasize, take care not to overcrowd it with graphics, and do not forget your contact information. Put the fliers where your targets will notice them. Not in mailboxes though--that is a U.S. Postal Service faux pas.

If you want to spread the word through the mail, though, direct mail is your best option--stamped fliers, sales letters, postcards, brochures, etc. In all cases, you want to be sure to be professional, legible, catchy, honest and creative. Use a mailing list to find appropriate prospects--find a list broker, and invest maybe a few hundred dollars into this campaign. Typical fees for most lists range from $100 to $150 per thousand names (or more for more detailed lists), and usually the broker will insist on a minimum of 5,000 names.

Finally, a great way to spread the word is via the Net. Create your own Web site to display your product or service, or even to sell it, if you decide to go the e-commerce route. Make it clean, legible, user-friendly and exciting--Web shoppers will leave a poorly designed or unexciting Web site at the speed of a click. Look at other Web sites, especially ones selling products or services similar to yours, to get ideas for your own site.

If the word "advertising" makes you feel at all shady, just remember that only some advertisers are manipulative, with their subliminal advertising and pushy ads. You can be just as effective by implementing the techniques mentioned above in a creative, yet respectable, manner.

Congratulations on launching your business. However, when using the internet to get the word out, the only problem is, no one knows about it. So how do you get the word out online, without having to spend thousands of dollars on advertising or PR, or buying Facebook or Twitter followers?

Establish profiles on the major social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest). Before launching any social campaigns, take time to figure out which social media site or sites your target customers frequent. Then set up pages or profiles on those sites -- and post content regularly, at least once a week. To centrally manage your social media posting, consider using a service such as Hootsuite.

Create fresh, shareable content. "Business blogs are the most cost effective way to boost your organic traffic," "Google loves original and valuable content. By [creating] informative articles, not only will Google reward your site, but also people will organically start sharing your blog posts. [Just] remember: Write for your target audience not for Google."

"Create interesting videos [and graphics with your target audience in mind] and share them across all of your social media profiles”. "Offer something fresh and unique [that speaks] to your company," without it coming across as an ad.

Finally, "make it easy for your followers to share your content," "Make sure that people can follow you on Facebook or Twitter [or Pinterest] directly from your site [by including hot-linked buttons to your social media pages], and add buttons so that they can share your content and products on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, StumbleUpon, [Reddit] and other networks." The easier it is to share content, the more people will share it.

Ask friends, family members and employees to get the word out -- and reward referrals. Even if you do not have many (or any) followers on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram, chances are some of your friends or family members or your employees do. Ask them to follow you/your new business on social media sites and spread the word. Better yet, reward people for sharing links to your site or products by offering them referral discounts, say 10 percent off their first or next purchase, or a freebie.

Offer influencers/bloggers free product(s) in exchange for mentions and/or reviews. "When you first start your business, it can be difficult to direct traffic to your site," notes Chu. "A simple way to start a buzz around your product and website is to send out free samples to influential bloggers. Most bloggers will be happy to take your free sample and review it on their blog," she says. "Once the review goes up, there will be a link directly to your site. That link will give you a nice SEO boost on search engines" and will drive traffic to your site.

"If a company has not yet been in business long enough to grow a substantial customer base, they can gain visibility online by conducting a product sampling campaign, [where you offer] consumers free products in return for accurate, unbiased, and insightful reviews (which can include text, photos, and videos),"

"A product sampling campaign helps generate accelerated word of mouth and increased sales for a product launch.”  In addition, "each sample can result in a review that influences tens, hundreds or thousands of prospective customers for each free product. And  research shows that, depending on the product category, increases in both the number of reviews and the average rating for a product can increase orders 10 to 50 percent."

Co-market with an established business/brand. "Pair with an on-brand company that already has a loyal following to offer something unique and sharable."

"Greetabl, a greeting box that folds your message into a shippable present, made donut-themed cards. Strange Donuts made 1,000 donut holes. They offered a one-day-only sale where customers created a custom message printed on a greetabl that was paired with a donut and shipped to the recipient," The result: "They sold out and expanded brand awareness nationwide."

Use paid search (Google AdWords). "This refers to paid search marketing, like Google AdWords." This can be a very effective way for new businesses to test online marketing by driving to their website from Google. I recommend starting with a small budget, like $5 or $10 a day, and testing a variety of ad groups and creatives of at least three variations." "Marketers should also utilize either the CPC (cost per click) or CPA options for their campaigns."

A great way to test keywords is to do small PPC ad buys, and see which keyword sets get clicked more.

Follow and engage industry influencers on Twitter. "Build a Twitter following by favoring and retweeting key people in your industry."  In other words, "Use Twitter's advanced search to find people located within a specific area related to your market and engage with them. You can also create Twitter lists of people in the markets you are trying to reach. Many times they'll engage with you or follow you back."

Participating in the occasional industry-related Twitter chat is another great way to get noticed.

Create a Facebook ad. "Facebook's ad platform allows you to get very specific with the target audience." How much you spend is up to you. As Facebook notes, "You can choose between a daily or a lifetime budget, as well as a cost per thousand impressions bid or cost per click bid. [You] only pay for the clicks or impressions you receive, up to the amount you set for your budget."

One strategy I recommend is "running ads on your competitor's Facebook page, [as well as] targeting [pages] your customers read, like magazines, shows or celebrities in [your] niche."

Sign up as a source on Help a Reporter Out (HARO). "Another great way to drive traffic is using HARO." HARO is a publicity service that links reporters with sources. The service sends out three newsletters a day with listings of various media opportunities. You can sign up for the free, basic service or pay between $19 and $149 per month for one of their subscription packages, which allow you to create different profiles and filters and get text alerts about new media opportunities.

I am always motivated by this quote by Earl Nightingale. "All the money you are ever going to make is currently in the hands of someone else." That said I want you to follow my number one rule in business A.B.P. - "Always Be Promoting." You have to let everyone you meet know three things about you - Who you are. Where you are and What you do. Which means you always have to have business cards at the ready, brochures, pamphlets. Your 30 second elevator pitch has to be spot on and always be tweaking it to fit what you do. You and your crew should be wearing apparel with your company name on it, but explain to them that while they are wearing your company name on their shirt they have to protect the image/brand of the company and act professionally at all times. Don't ignore direct mail pieces, email marketing (collect an email address from anyone you come in contact with). Use social media to connect with individuals and groups within your community where you can place ads or have satisfied customer post about your services (your company should have a Facebook page, Instagram page, Twitter feed and of course do not overlook Linkedin as a great resource for finding the right person to connect with. Do not overlook "Word of mouth" referrals. Earl Nightingale also said "The best form of advertising is a satisfied customer with a big mouth." Maybe offer a referral bonus/discount on future service if your customers will refer you to their friends, family and colleagues. A recent survey showed 82% of people were more likely to use a business that was referred to them by someone they trust. 

Good luck and remember if you get 10 new leads per day = 50 per week = 2,600 new leads per year if you convert just 10% of that it would be 260 new accounts.

Go get 'em!

Jim Gano                                                                                                                      

Amanda,  great question!  Do you have any current clients first?  If so I think acknowledging them is a good start.   Contact them a few days after the cleaning to check in for follow up.  Then send them a personalized card    68% of clients leave due to perceived indifference.   By showing gratitude with current clients I feel you will get more referrals and increase your business.     Hope that helps.  I have a system to help you if interested 

My business is a relationship business. To build relationships with people I go to networking groups and events. You do business with and refer your friends to people you know, like, and trust.  You have ti develope those relationships.

Hi Amanda. Networking with other local small business owners and EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) could both be good tools for you.  Visit your local Chamber of Commerce and see if that would be a good fit for you.  Reaching out to Home Health Care companies may also be a good referral source for you, because they will be meeting some of your potential clients when they're caring for them.  If those clients are asking about cleaning services, and they know, like and trust you, they could be a good referral source for you. Also get a Facebook business page or group made up.  You can put existing client reviews on your page, and invite your friends and family to the group; post specials, cleaning tips and things that people would like to share.

I encourage you to join your local chamber, ask local accounting firms, tax firms, law firms and small coffee shops. Also call local carpet cleaning services they may have small jobs they could pass on to you. Call Bob's Carpet Mart, Networking Groups, Contact Carpet Installation & Flood Insurance Companies. Look at The Problem You Are Solving, Advertise The Pain Point! Reach out to local nursing homes and home health agencies, health and dental clinics! Your Local Chamber Will Save You. Finding Clients for a cleaning business is tough, just thinking about how to give you advice is a struggle, I commend for taking the road least traveled. May God Bless You & Keep You, Hope your business flourish in 2019. Try your local church or favorite charity. Your business is amazing and what you does make a difference, keep going don't give up! Google House Sitters and Ask Those Executives Do They Need You To Clean While They Are Away On Business! Prosperity In 2019. Don't Forget To Always Ask God For Direction God Will Not Withhold Anything Good From You! Also Try County Government Contract Bids, The SBDC should have info on Government Contracts or You Can Visit Your Local Tax Collectors Office.

Local networking is the best, lowest cost way to get your company name out there. See and be seen.  If you are not getting the results you want with your current methods, you have to try something different - get out of your comfort zone!  It's uncomfortable in the beginning but it will become easier as you get to know other business people.  ASK for referrals.

Hi Amanda, a great way to get the word out about your business is to network with local business and home owners. I'd love for you to attend our Networking event as my guest. It's on Thursday, May 24th from 1pm-2pm. Address is 405 State Highway 121 (along Same Rayburn Tollway) Building A, Suite 250 on 2nd Floor, Lewisville TX 75067. Let me know if you'd like to join us!