Ways to promote your Direct Sales / Origami Owl® Business

Anyone who has started a business knows that promoting/ marketing your new business is vital to your success. Without a good marketing plan your business will be slow to grow. I wanted to share with you some ideas for starting to market your new business. I will be posting more of these in the next few months. Be on the look out for more ways to market your new business.

Tips to promote/market your business:

• Always carry business cards with you. These truly are a key component to a marketing plan.
• Make mini marketing giveaway bags. I suggest using cute. I love using Chevron Pattern Treat Bags. Something like this: Pattern Bags. In these bags I include the following:

        *Business Card
        *Mini Opportunity flyer
        *Mini Hostess Rewards sheet/ Hostess Exclusive sheet
        *Candy
        *Discount, Coupon, Customer Special for the month.

    Really you can include anything you want in these bags. Give them to everyone you meet. People     waiting in line at the store, bank tellers, cashiers, package delivery drivers, parents at sports         practice or games, when you stay at hotels, go to restaurants, get coffee, any where you can     leave a tip or gift behind.

• Print out marketing approved quality flyers with your contact information on them.

    Include the following:
        *Your website address
        *E-mail address
        * Phone Number
        * If you are offering any specials right now include that

    After you have some printed go around your community putting them up on community boards, at     the Chamber of Commerce, mobile home park offices, apartment complex, schools, grocery         stores, post office, radio stations, Real Estate Offices, Construction companies, local bridal         stores, bridal supplies, tuxedo rental shops, Daycares, churches, College campuses {what college     student is not looking for extra income}, Welcome centers, etc.

• Contact churches, schools, Chamber of Commerce, most hold festivals during the different seasons. Ask if they are looking for vendors for your business. If you do an event like this you will want to make sure you have displays set up, signage about your business, product for customers to see, business cards, flyers, ways to collect customer information. Make it look professional.

• Contact your local hospital(s), ask for the department that handles the mommy gift bags they give once a baby is born. The almost all hospitals give New Mommy Diaper Bags filled with products, samples, coupons and more. It is a great way to advertise your business.

    Include in a cute bag:
        * Business Card
        * Sample of your product (if you have a product that can be sampled)
        * Flyer about your company
        * Catalog
        * Hosting information

• Contact medical offices to inquire about leaving information with them. This is truly a great way for you to target parents about the business opportunity or even hosting a party.

• Donate products to radio stations, schools, businesses that are running big giveaways, fundraisers and more. This is a great way for you to get your name out there. Plus donations are considered a tax write off.

• Contact the Chamber of Commerce, Colleges, Job centers, etc to inquire about their next job fair. Ask if you can step up a booth at it. What a great way to talk to people about the business opportunity you have.

• Contact local gyms, coffee shops, boutiques, hair salons, banks etc. It really can be any where that get a lot of foot traffic about setting up a table with your products on display. Make sure to bring business cards, catalogs, flyers and more marketing stuff you can hand out easily.

• Create a networking group with others in your community that also have home based businesses. It is a great way to share events, tips, tricks, and more with those that are also building a business. It is also nice having people that are not part of your business to collaborate with.
• Ask restaurants, diners, deli's and coffee shops how you can advertise on their paper place-mats or beverage coasters! You would be surprised how many customers actually read those ads. 
• I love being able to take my business on the road during the months when weather is nice. Contact parks, Chamber of Commerce & community centers to see what their schedule of events are. Inquire if they allow vendors from your business at the event to set up a booth. This is a great way to network and market your business to those that are not in your community.  
• No events on your books? Plan your own. What about hosting a block party? You can hold it at  your home, park or community center! Families are always looking for something to do
  during the summer.
  
• Start looking for Holiday events during the summer. Most are already posted. It is a great time to secure those events. 
• Get your business printed on pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Those are great hand outs to give to anyone you meet. Who is going to turn down a free pen? 
• Have you branded your vehicle yet? If not do it today. It is a valuable advertising method. You can get a vinyl decal, door magnets, or stickers made for pretty cheap. 
• Find your local Mom groups, MOPS, or similar groups.
  

I hope these help you build your marketing plan. I love building a business from the ground floor. It truly is so rewarding. If you have any questions I would love to chat via Email.

As Always Dream Big,