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JBee

New member
So, I am in the process of starting an online business to create another source of income for my family. I have been working on this business for a little over a year now and I am just realizing how difficult starting a business is. I do not have a regular client base and have very little money to invest in marketing. I have created social media pages as a way to promote business, yet, I have gotten very few hits since I've launched them.

Anyone have any marketing ideas that does not require too much money?
 

Jatelo2

New member
JBee, it's good to hear you are interested in doing business online. The internet is a market like no other in that it has ready clients. But your would be clients must, first of all, know you exist. So, allow me to be blunt; you will have to spend some money to reach your prospective clients faster. Unless you are willing to wait years to gain enough traction to start selling, you have to set aside some budget.

It all depends on what you are selling online and how competitive your niche (category) is, but if there are methods that never fail they are Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Facebook Ads. If you are willing to spare some few dollars (less than $100 for a start), go ahead and promote your keyword on Google Search Results and your products on Facebook (via your brand page).

And don't worry, both Google and Facebook have simplified tutorials to get you started.

Was this helpful?
 

Ssandra

Member
What is your business about? A physical product? A service? Local? National? International? Business to consumer, business to business?

First thing you have to do is to get an idea of who your ideal client is. Age, gender, socio-economical status, etc.

Then you find out where those people are. For example, if it is females between 35 and 45, middle income, it would be facebook groups.
Younger people 25 - 35 would be instagram.
Teenagers would be snapchat.

Once you know where they are, you can find ways to advertise either for free or for a small fee. You can start a blog with your website, and post social media content that your ideal client is happy with.

If it is a physical product you can ask them to give you a review on their social media page in exchange for a 10% discount on the next product, etc.

I can give you some more advice if you can give me some more details on what your business is.
 

JBee

New member
Thank you, Jatelo and Ssandra for your advice! The business provides Virtual Assistant services.

Jatelo, I think I can invest $100 behind marketing. I'll definitely look into that.

Ssandra, I'll have to pick a target audience to start because the services could be rendered to so many different groups. I imagine small businesses, teachers, & students might be the most interested though.
 

Ssandra

Member
Jbee,

Some resources about marketing:

https://app.hubspot.com/learning-center/4676716/tracks/29/263/1396

https://genm.co (you don't need to sign up for apprenticeship or hire an apprentice, but you can take the classes.)

https://www.crystalmarshcoaching.com/blog/how-to-determine-your-ideal-client-and-why-its-important

https://jake-jorgovan.com/blog/how-to-choose-what-skills-to-offer

I am about to write (shorter) articles about the last 2 topics, once I have them done I'll let you know where to find them, but it might be a week or two.

You need to find a pain point for your clients and think about why you are the perfect person to solve it. Then you need to figure out who most likely has that pain point and if they have the money to pay you. I am thinking students might not, nor teachers. They are not known for having lots of money...

I can help you brainstorm a bit.
What other experiences do you have? What are your strengths? What industry are you most familiar with? What else? What do you like doing? Do you have any other skills?
 

JBee

New member
Jbee,

Some resources about marketing:

https://app.hubspot.com/learning-center/4676716/tracks/29/263/1396

https://genm.co (you don't need to sign up for apprenticeship or hire an apprentice, but you can take the classes.)

https://www.crystalmarshcoaching.com/blog/how-to-determine-your-ideal-client-and-why-its-important

https://jake-jorgovan.com/blog/how-to-choose-what-skills-to-offer

I am about to write (shorter) articles about the last 2 topics, once I have them done I'll let you know where to find them, but it might be a week or two.

You need to find a pain point for your clients and think about why you are the perfect person to solve it. Then you need to figure out who most likely has that pain point and if they have the money to pay you. I am thinking students might not, nor teachers. They are not known for having lots of money...

I can help you brainstorm a bit.
What other experiences do you have? What are your strengths? What industry are you most familiar with? What else? What do you like doing? Do you have any other skills?
Thank You Ssandra! This is more than helpful. I am realizing how much WORK goes into starting up a business and it is so overwhelming. I appreciate people like yourself (Jatelo2 as well), willing to share your knowledge and resources.
 

Master

Member
If your sole goal is to promote your own services, I'd advise a few things:
  • Create a portfolio website
  • Have enough samples of your work (as in: testimonials)
  • Advertise your services on some freelance websites (Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr)
  • Research your keyword on google "Virtual Assistant"
  • Send dozens of emails each day offering your service!
If you do all of the above, you will be FULL of work in no-time.

Best of luck to you!
 

JBee

New member
If your sole goal is to promote your own services, I'd advise a few things:
  • Create a portfolio website
  • Have enough samples of your work (as in: testimonials)
  • Advertise your services on some freelance websites (Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr)
  • Research your keyword on google "Virtual Assistant"
  • Send dozens of emails each day offering your service!
If you do all of the above, you will be FULL of work in no-time.

Best of luck to you!
Thank You !!!
 

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