Back to the ever present topic of marketing! It is said that if you don't do marketing, you'll know it three months from now when you wonder why things are dead!

There is marketing that just gets your name out and then there is marketing that actually makes the phone ring. Just curious but can you share where your last three clients came from? Where would you say your top sources for business are and can you name something that you don't think works?
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My last three clients came from internet searches for an organizer in this area.

I had two calls last week where both told me they found me on an online referral list that they subscribe to.

In general, I think the biggest source for business for me is internet search and the second is local classes I teach plus the publicity for those classes. What I don't think works is the phone book- but would love to hear from someone with success at that.

I had a nice sales call this morning, it came from an internet search. So did the last sale I made.

There are many places to "sign" up, I am only on a few websites.

I dropped my half page ad in the yellow pages, (way too expensive in this economy), but I have felt my business suffered from not being in there.

These were not organizing jobs, I am a water treatment specialist.

Thanks for that feedback.

I think, in part, that the phone book marketing may depend on your target market. If you were targeting downsizing or estate sales or senior moves, then you may find that many of your clients use the phone book. If you are targeting young families, then probably not at all.

I agree, internet searches are probably the most prevalent way people find you and other products now. Maximizing your search engine visibility is the best thing you can do.

However, not "putting all your eggs in one basket" is always a good marketing strategy. Use other outlets that will get in front of your target market. If that's mother's, perhaps a mother's newsletter...etc.

I agree with Lea. According to a survey by Yelp, 85% of consumers use the internet to find local businesses such as professional organizers. It's a great way to reach people who are actively searching for your services that are ready to buy.


Wishing you incredible success,
Nicole McCullum
Website Redesign & Branding Specialist

Most people search by city and subject. They might say Chicago Professional Organizer in the search bar.

Be sure that your website says what area you are serving. You'd be amazed at how many do not say their city. Maybe because nearly all POs work from home, and don't want to list their home address, that they forget to list the city. Recently, I wanted to refer a client to a PO in her new city and I was amazed how I had to google the POs area code to double check to see what part of the country they were in.

A good idea might be to put it in your header or footer so that the information appears on every page. Something like:

Organizing in Smallville, USA and surrounding communities.

I have never done phone book marketing, so I can't speak to its success. However, just about 90% of our clients find us via internet search. The other 10% are from classes. We don't participate in Google ads or anything like that, but we do use social media marketing.

The phone book is not the best tool for exposure when you find mmany people using mobile phones etc. You can get your business listed in the online phone directories if you feel it would help.

Most of my clients have found me either by word of mouth, referrals from other organizers, and the majority from google and my website.

When it comes to marketing for local businesses, there are a few things you can do to maximize your exposure. With most people using the internet to find services and products, it is important to:

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS
- Register with Google Places
- Register with every free online directory you can

INCLUDE SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
- Include locational keywords throughout every page of your website
- Use these keywords in both the Title and Meta descriptions for every page on your website

LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE
- Starting a blog on your website is a great way to spread the world about your expertise. Every time you create a new blog post, link to it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc... The more useful the information, the more likely your friends and fans are to share it with others.

These are free marketing tactics that will take a little bit of time to understand but they are well worth the effort!

Hi Considerate Done! Welcome to the forum! Super glad to have you here.

Great advice- each piece.

If you are doing local marketing, you need to get out into the community. Visit local networking groups. You don't need to join to visit (although you might find you want to join.) Most groups have a policy of two visits so take advantage of that. Take a stack of business cards. Prepare your one-minute elevator speech. Oh, and smile! If you have a logo collared shirt, wear it. People hear your name and see your name and it helps them remember.