Are you a DJ, a house cleaner, a landscaper or any local service professional who is trying to get more customers? Good thing you’re living in an era where there are countless venues available for you to market yourself.
Here are some easy steps to getting noticed online.
Prove You Exist!
First, get your potential customers to discover you. How else can people avail themselves of the services you provide without advertising yourself?
And whatever you do, don’t depend on word-of-mouth advertising. Although it comes in handy in the long run, there are many other ways that you can get your customers to know about you quickly and affordably.
One of these is through social media like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and more. Another way is to join and list your business on e-commerce sites like Google Places, Yelp or Thumbtack (our company!). Aside from that, you can also publish yourself online by keeping a blog or a simple website that doesn’t require you to hire a web designer.
Since the accessibility of social media and e-commerce sites takes competition in the market to a higher level, you would then need to take into consideration how to make the public get to notice you more. Among the thousands of professionals who are posting their services online, you need to provide more reliable information relating to you as a professional. Since customers only see pictures and read information online, they are wary about whom they will contact and hire.
Here are some things your potential clients will consider:
Create Credibility
Customers want to know if you’re a legitimate professional. Provide information such as your certification, license, insurance and anything else that shows your credentials.
Offer Great Customer Service
The best way to gain customers is to provide excellent customer service. Let your customers feel they are valued by sticking to your promise and commitment to provide the services they need. Whether this includes technical support, a good attitude, smart knowledge or quality service, do it well and in a timely manner.
Set Reasonable Pricing
Remember that a reasonable price is not necessarily the lowest price. According to Whatis.com, “A fair and reasonable price is the price point for a good or service that is fair to both parties involved in the transaction.” This amount provides the best total value that compromises the delivery time, availability, payment terms, quality, quantity and service. Don’t under-price and don’t over-price.
Other than quality service, customers feel safe getting services from you if you provide a service guarantee. This is the statement that clarifies what your customers can expect from you, as well as what you will do to alter the situation if your services do not meet their expectations. With this, your customers will be confident that you really will do the job right.
Another way to boost your business is through a referral program. This marketing strategy will help you expand your network by giving incentives to clients who send you new business.
You can do this by giving every satisfied customer a flyer describing your referral program. You can also mail out information regarding your referral program to your business contacts and inactive clients, or promote it through your email signature, blog or website.
This is a great way to motivate your clients to keep doing business with you. They might also see it as a simple way of thanking you for the excellent service you provided, as well as a way to show your clients how you truly appreciate their confidence in your work.
When you deliver high quality services to your clients, these clients can help you gain more business by providing great reviews. This is basically word-of-mouth marketing but in a written form. These reviews are a testament of what kind of service you deliver.
And remember: No matter what else you do, you should always remember that excellent service is the best key to a successful business. Love your job, and do it well, and you will succeed.
