Monday, March 07, 2011

Do What You Love and Market It on a Shoestring

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First of all, lately I haven't been visiting most of my favorite blogs for three reasons, all of which involve love.
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The first two reasons are the recent and fantastic and exhausting company of Mr. Ryan age 4 and Not-So-Baby Drew, age. 2.
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The third reason is that my dog Stella is pretty sick. She is very weak and has trouble standing, along with some other troubling symptoms. Last night at 1:30 am JB and I took her to the Emergency Animal Hospital 20 miles from here, in the dark miserable rain. Today she is slightly better and we are slightly more hopeful.
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(What an introduction for a post about Marketing. Just keeping it real..... :^)
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So about marketing. I've taught a few courses on marketing in general and for artists in particuliar, emphasizing low cost, no cost, low budget ways to get noticed and increase customers. I have 16 'tips' in all and here are the first five:
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1. Giveaways: People love free items, especially items that they can use to gain knowledge or improve their lives. If you are a watercolorist, you might write up and give away a 'how to watercolor' brochure, or chart showing how to use complimentary colors, or a free membership to your annual newsletter. Once you begin giving away authoritative information, people will begin to see you as an expert in your field. And when they have an interest or a need, they will think of you.
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2. Create News: Want to get your name and news in your local newspaper? It may be easier than you think. If you don't have any news to report, create some. Maybe you are helping a special needs student. Or maybe you've won an award or received recognition or been selected for an art show. Local magazines and pennysavers and newspapers are often quite interested in business news of this sort and this will help you get free publicity. You'll need to know how to write up a succinct one or two paragraph press release, and then email it to targeted news or art or business editors. Chances are good your news will be published.
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3. Events: You can attract the attention of a crowd or the media (free publicity again) by staging a one-time special promotional event. If you are yoga instructor, you could offer a one hour free introduction to better health through stretching. If you have written a children's book and it's springtime, you can offer lunch with the Easter bunny. (Hang up flyers around town and send in information to your local newspaper). Get the idea?
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4. Charity Tie-ins: Are you launching something new? Trying to increase your visability in a certain segment of your community? Offer your services or product to one or more charities as a raffle prize or for use at a fund raising event. You'll receive lots of exposure among people who buy tickets and attend the event, plus they just might tell their friends.
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5. Contests: First, find a contest theme that ties into your business. A caterer might offer a cupcake tasting contest in the lobby of a movie theater. A photographer might offer a young model contest or recognition for the best high school photograph of a sunset. An Etsy artist might offer a painting or a knitting contest and give ribbons to the selected winners. Do contests attract attention? You bet they do! All it takes are a few well placed signs, a small press release announcement or two, and the world will spread among the people you want to reach.
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I'm guessing these suggestions are intimidating or overwhelming?
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Yes: they are UNTIL you do one or two and discover it will be fun and rewarding.
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If I were still in the business of offering consulting services to people who are or want to be self employed and need marketing help, at this point I would be announcing a contest or creating an event or arranging a give away with the prize being two free hours of marketing help from me. (Note: I'm not still in the business!)
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And guess what? I would be confident that there would be interest in my offer.
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Right?
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If you're looking to increase your customers or your income or your love of whatever, I encourage you to think about what YOU have and want to offer.
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Meanwhile, I'll be back one of these days with eleven more suggestions.
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Love
kj

14 comments:

  1. How is stella today and how is your mom?

    And how are you?

    Thanks for the tips - I will try a few......

    Xoxo

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  2. And I have a copy of this wisdom booklet :)

    KJ, I hope Stella and mom are having a better day. I almost called yesterday but decided to let the three of you just be together.

    Good marketing advice! I'll start by giving two prints to Mike's raffle. Red Riding Hood and maybe the boy with frogs on his head. I'm keeping to a children's theme here, and it won't cost me anything except postage...so no worries :)

    Love and hugs all around~

    xoxo
    Lo♥♥♥

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  3. Excellent tips! Even with this difficult economy, marketing oneself is worth a try.

    I am saying prayers for your wonderful Mum and of course for Stella!!!!

    Sending you a GIANT HUG! MUWAH! Did you feel it?

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  4. I'm joining everyone in wishing your mom and stella speedy recoverys. and i hope your rested after the big weekend.

    Kj, i need a marketing fairy, because even though these are wonderful, fantastic ideas (thank you!), it is still something i have a hard time doing. I'd really rather just stay tucked away and make. And that's all. I know, there's no hope for me.

    :)

    xxx with love,
    lori

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  5. Oh, hugs and kisses to Stella. My Zeus is in poor shape too, it sucks getting old. And it is hard to say goodbye when the time comes.
    Thanks for the tips. I am not intemidated, I just wonder how I'd find the time :-). xoxo

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  6. Great marketing advice, nice to know you are busy AND able to also enjoy time with the boys.

    Oh Stella...I'm glad the overnight nursing care has helped, even if just a little. I know she has multiple issues, and it's hard to watch her decline.

    I remember taking a seminar years ago on pet loss and I have kept this part of what I learned close to my heart and it helps me counsel clients, too.

    'When one has a pet with multiple health problems, they depend on us to be their advocate. Keep a journal and when out of 7 days, there are 4 good days and 3 bad days...that may be the time to make that difficult decision. Do not wait until there are 4 bad days and only 3 good days'.

    If you keep that in mind as you walk this path with her, you will know what Stella would ask of you...

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  7. awwww poor Stella. It is so hard when one of our family members are sick. Thinking of you & JB & hoping this journey for Stella is a calm & painless one. Lov to u

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  8. These are awesome marketing ideas! I suck at marketing for myself but can market other people like nobody's business - what's up with that? I guess I don't feel very confident about selling my own product but feel more than okay about selling someone else's.

    And I hope Stella makes a quick and healthy recovery.

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  9. Ah,kj, I will send some Reiki energy to you and Stella. I can completely relate...our old Nate is declining now very quickly with the ongoing cold weather. I've made the decision too many times to count and it never gets easier.

    Super tips...a really good informative and hopeful and positive post!

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  10. Good tips.

    Happy Intn'l Women's Day.

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  11. I sure hope Stella is feeling better.
    Thank you for the tips :)

    xo
    Kristin

    I am so happy about 'Z' - your post below made me cry.

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  12. mim, stella is very much better. she is eating cookies tonight and able to walk. we are hoping she will be alright. i am worried about my Mom. she has fainted again this week. Meeting with her doctor on friday to figure out next steps. thanks, sis ♥

    lo, aw, thanks. that is super nice of you. i feel so blessed how we mobilize to help one another xoxo

    robin, i lost my balance for a moment at 6:45 this morning. was that you? :)

    lori, stay tucked away and make. good things are going to happen for you anyway. i am quite sure. xoxo

    annie, thanks for your wishes for stella. about finding the time: i don't mean this to sound sharp, but if you want to earn a living from your art or business, you HAVE to find the time. waiting for divine intervention is too slow and doesn't come with a warantee! :)

    thank you teri. i will remember that 4/3 advice, although i don't know what i would do if stella had 4 quality days each week. i know what i would do if she just had one or two, but 4? not honestly sure....

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  13. camille, my love and thoughts are with you this week. forever strong. ♥

    tracy, hahaha, i'm the same way! i can sell anything, but have i shopped my book around yet? NO. :)

    hi marion, thanks for the energy as always. ♥ yes, i've made the decision too: one of life's most painful and meaningful goodbyes.

    happy international women's day to you, barbara. isn't it so nice to share the same sky? xo

    kristin, is it wrong to be glad that some of my posts makes anyone cry? :) thank you.

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  14. Sorry to learn about poor Stella - hope she's doing better now.
    Some great tips here, kj - and I look forward to the others when you have time!x

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