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Yesterday, I took a couple of steps to help increase the exposure of my business. It is the analog version of using social media through the Internet. The first thing I did was join my local chamber of commerce. The second thing I did was inquire about teaching computer classes at the local library. We often talk about the value of relationships for business when we talk about social media. That same power is available offline too.
Chambers of commerce can be a bit of a time and money sink if you are not careful. It is important to be mindful of both when you become a member. We’ll talk about this on today’s show. The key to remember is that your local chamber’s job is to create as many opportunities for members to network as possible. You cannot possibly make it to all of the events like their full-time staffers. However, the few events that you do attend have to count for something. Make sure to pass out business cards. There are other marketing savings that membership brings you, like referrals, mailing lists, and inclusion in the newsletter.
Teaching classes can be financially rewarding if you charge for them. Teaching continuing education courses is a good way to do this. But if you provide a free service, it can still go a long way towards increasing awareness of your abilities and can lead to business opportunities. We will also discuss this on the show. Many times, the public is not aware how to go about using or inquiring about your service. By providing free classes, you can establish relationships with your students. Your free class can result in free word of mouth marketing. As an instructor, you are essentially growing your potential client base.
As I continue these experiments in real-life versions of social media, I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Shaine 