My professional background includes over 20 years of advertising, design, marketing and internet technology experience. Home staging and working in the real estate field is my passion and having a creative background has helped me design my website and marketing materials.
But what I realized yesterday was, although I know what I'm doing, I need to take my own advice! I've discovered and perhaps you have too, that although you may be great at selling or marketing for someone else, when it comes to tooting your own horn you may fall short.
I think many of us creative professionals find it difficult to juggle our business while simultaneously marketing it. If you have gotten into a marketing slump here are some tips that I learned from visiting a SCORE marketing counselor yesterday. It was wonderful to have professional feedback and be able to bounce ideas off someone who understood the marketing process.
What I discovered was most of the marketing I am doing is right on. What I need to focus on is consistency. Consistency of message, consistency of contact and consistency of followup. 
Here are the Top 5 Tips I came away with to re-energize my business marketing:
1. Followup. Followup every client contact with either a phone call or email. Let my clients know I'm here for them. Followup can also be my business card with a small goodie bag appropriate to the season. 
2. Find a mentor. Even when you've been in business for a while there will always be someone you can learn from. It can be incredibly helpful to get a fresh viewpoint on how to grow your business. Find your mentor by asking around or at networking events.
3. Get out there. Whether it's a presentation to an office of Realtors or an informational talk to a Senior Center, get out and tell a story. Share your knowledge.
4. Touch base. Consistency is key. Conventional marketing wisdom tells us it takes 6 or more contacts from you to create awareness of your product or service. Whether you choose to connect by email or snail mail, make a plan to make it consistent.
5. Don't give up. The people you contact today may not need your service now. But they may need it in 6 months. Trust that you will build your business by consistently reaching out to your customer base with an informative and friendly approach.
Perhaps you are feeling your marketing is not giving you the return you expected. Sometimes it just takes a reminder that we are on the right track and if we adjust our efforts slightly it will make a huge difference. I've discovered it's followup and consistency that I need to work on.
How about you? What could you be doing differently to market your business or what tips work for you?
Beach Realty & Construction on the Outer Banks of NC - Duck, NC
Ilona Matteson
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
It is definitely about going back to the basics of what works in ANY market. The simplest things get the job done. Thank you for sharing!
Sep 10, 2010 04:39 AM
Walnut Creek, CA
Your Agent in Walnut Creek CA
Those are 5 good tips. Thanks for sharing. Need to remember to use all the resources and tools all the time. ~Rita
Sep 10, 2010 04:53 AM
Maracay Homes - Peoria, AZ
New Home Advisor
Tessa - thanks for sharing your tips and reminding me of all the things I should be doing, but put off....
Sharon Lord
Argent Decor
AZ Vacation Home Furnishing Service
Sep 10, 2010 05:08 AM
Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN
Great post! I have found that most Real Estate Agents don't respond to my e-mails. I have been told many times: "I get so many e-mails....." So for me, visiting their offices and leaving small gifts like candy/popcorn with my cards attached and visiting Open Houses has been my greatest method of meeting and becoming know by them. It has taken me a solid year to finally get some recognition and referrals. Now they know that I am not a "fly-by-night" that will be here today and gone tomorrow.
Sep 10, 2010 05:30 AM
Stage It Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
Home Stager - Atlanta Georgia Home Stager
Thanks for the reminders - sometimes our business gets in the way of our business.
Sep 10, 2010 05:30 AM
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA
Such great tips!! Finding a mentor is key, even if we are in this business for years-we can never learn enough!
Sep 10, 2010 06:30 AM
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M
Ugh, I know....my husband was in sales and marketing for years too and he pounds into me the 6-7 contacts a year and the follow up. I am so bad at that. I hate to "bother" people. :)
Sep 10, 2010 07:12 AM
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign
Tessa- these are great tips. I've always been in sales of some sort and when things were tough or the market tanked I always went back to the basics. And those basics are your TOP 5. They're tried and true.
Sep 10, 2010 08:01 AM
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors
Daniel - you're absolutely right. By knowing who you are marketing to you can be much more effective with your message. The splatter effect just doesn't work!
Illona, SCA and Karen - back to basics is so true. These are concepts that we know we just don't always remember to implement them! Thank you for commenting!
Rita , I'm going to put it in my calendar today. Every quarter do a mail out. It seems so simple but sometimes we need a reminder.
I think we all put it off Sharon. I'd love to hear from anyone who enjoys this part of their business! Truly ;) It could be inspiring!
I know what you mean Lori. It takes a while to get on the radar of agents and then you have to stay there. I'm gong to research what little "gifts" I can add to my leave behinds. Thanks for commenting.
Sep 10, 2010 08:26 AM
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors
So true Janine!
Cathy I feel that what we share here on AR is a form of mentoring but it is helpful to talk one on one with someone who can offer a different perspective and who is in your local market. My SCORE counselor even gave me the name of a very pro-active realtor to call and connect with!
I'm the same way Shar, I hate to feel like I'm bothering people. But I had a revelation yesterday. I realized I hadn't heard back from an agent I had contacted to give me a listing presentation. I really expected her to follow up with me and show interest in my listing but she hasn't. So now the shoe is on the other foot.... I can see where making contact actually shows you care enough to do so!
Thanks for commenting Kathy! Hope things are doing well for you in So. FL.
Hi David! I do think self-confidence and a certain amount of assertiveness is perceived well by others when you're in business for yourself. You're right if you know what you're doing there is always a classy way of getting that message across! Thanks for your thoughts.
Sep 10, 2010 08:36 AM
Sold By Design www.sasoldbydesign.com - San Antonio, TX
Sold By Design, Staging San Antonio and Surrounding Area
Wonderfully put, Tessa. Thank you for the reminders and subtle 'push'. It's time I renewed some contacts!
Sep 11, 2010 05:26 AM
Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA
Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Tessa,
It is sometimes surprising where business comes from. I just got 5 internet requests. Two were from my business card being left at 2 different locations, and the rest was from my internet prescence. I never would have imagined that a business card that I had left at a ready made curtain store 2 yrs. ago would generate business ( and the person who gave my card met me once and is no longer there) . The other bus. card was left at the Nail Salon that I go to. I also got a great job a little while ago when I left my card at a kitchen cabinet place. That is my marketing tip-leave your cards in a holder at businesses you go to!
Marianne
Sep 11, 2010 10:54 AM
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors
Tamara, we all need a little push from time to time. Sometimes you just need to bounce ideas off someone else and get the feedback that you're on the right path.
Hi Marianne - Thanks for the tip! I love to hear what works for others. I was just talking about that with my SCORE counselor. Even with technology and all the means available to us to keep in touch, the tried and true business card still works it's magic! I know I keep a drawer full of them and always refer to it when I am trying to look someone or some service up. Congratulations on getting the new biz!! and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Sep 12, 2010 02:35 AM
Newark, OH
Tessa, great reminders for any person in business. I loved having and being a mentor and one can get new ideas from both sources!
Sep 12, 2010 11:33 AM
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors
Thank you Cynthia for commenting. GIve and take is what makes business work and makes it fun!
Sep 13, 2010 01:45 PM
Rediscovered Interiors, LLC - Andover, MN
Excellent points to share and to follow! It's not rocket science, but we all make it so hard :o) I think the hardest part is when your just starting out and don't have your own stats and stories, so you get really nervous....afraid of the "what if they ask....and I don't have an answer?" Honestly, that never happened. However, it is so much easier to approach people when you have work, results, and statistics that are yours to share. Selling yourself confidently is tough to do, but an absolute necessity in order to stay in business.
Thanks for sharing!
Julie
Sep 13, 2010 03:20 PM
Staged For Success - Huntersville, NC
ASP, IAHSP
Tessa - thanks so much for the information. Marketing is a never ending task. Every day I tell myself that I am planting seeds (some days I have to say it more than once!!!). Continued success.
Sep 14, 2010 01:47 AM
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors
Julie, exactly, its NOT rocket science and I think that was my AHA moment ....have I been watching too much Oprah? ;)
It is the basic steps and sometimes we just need a reminder that those work for a reason! I think we make it harder than it has to be. Like you said we worry about what to say but often don't you think it's the person we are marketing to who has no idea what to ask! I agree it's nice to be able to have some success stories under your belt. I think those are the most effective sales tool going. Especially for staging. Appreciate your sharing your insights!
Maria, we are planting seeds. Tha's a great analogy. We just have to remember to water them from time to time! Much success to you also.
Sep 14, 2010 05:06 AM
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