Social media is one of the best new ways to deliver your marketing message - and to show your business personality - to your target market. With so many tools like Facebook and Twitter to use though, how do you manage them all? How do you make time to do it all?
I use HootSuite, a free Twitter-related application that allows me to set up my various accounts and to write, manage and measure my marketing messages with one tool. It currently works hand-in-hand with Twitter, Facebook, Facebook pages, LinkedIn, Ping.fm and Word Press. You can even schedule messages to go out automatically - so you don't skip a beat when you're out of the office!
And what's even better, this tool is FREE! I love it - check it out and watch how easily you can transform your social media marketing plan into a manageable, measurable task.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
Showing posts with label Dana Neuts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dana Neuts. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Kent Writer Elected to the National Board of the Society of Professional Journalists
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kent, Washington, September 6, 2009 – Last week freelance writer Dana Neuts of Kent was elected to the national board of the Society of Professional Journalists during its annual conference. Serving a two-year term, Neuts was named to the position of regional director for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. She will serve SPJ chapters and members in those states as well as act as their representative on the national SPJ board. She has also been asked to serve on the national freelance committee.
Previously, Neuts served as the president of the Western Washington Pro Chapter of SPJ, which was named Large Chapter of the Year for the third time at last week’s conference. In addition, the chapter received Circle of Excellence awards for its work in diversity and campus relations. Hilary Reeves, managing editor for The Business Examiner in Tacoma, succeeds Neuts as chapter president.
“Our industry is changing rapidly with new business models and communication tools emerging daily,” Neuts said. “At the same time, journalists are concerned about the future of our industry and our continued ability to serve as a valuable ‘check and balance’ for democracy. I look forward to contributing what I can to those challenges while also renewing the public’s trust in quality journalism and its role in open government.”
Dana Neuts is a freelance journalist based in Kent, Washington. Her work has appeared in publications including Seattle Business, the Business Report, Kent magazine, Renton magazine, The Seattle Times, South Sound magazine, Seattle Metropolitan and more. She is also the owner of Virtually Yourz, a writing, editing and marketing firm that serves small businesses and nonprofits, and the owner and publisher of iLoveKent.net, a community-based news and events website. She is a member of the Kent Downtown Partnership, serves on the board of the Halo Network Foundation, and recently founded Kent Connects, a local “no rules” networking group.
For more information, please contact:
Dana Neuts
Virtually Yourz
360-920-1737
dana@virtuallyyourz.com
www.VirtuallyYourz.com
www.iLoveKent.net
###
Kent, Washington, September 6, 2009 – Last week freelance writer Dana Neuts of Kent was elected to the national board of the Society of Professional Journalists during its annual conference. Serving a two-year term, Neuts was named to the position of regional director for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. She will serve SPJ chapters and members in those states as well as act as their representative on the national SPJ board. She has also been asked to serve on the national freelance committee.
Previously, Neuts served as the president of the Western Washington Pro Chapter of SPJ, which was named Large Chapter of the Year for the third time at last week’s conference. In addition, the chapter received Circle of Excellence awards for its work in diversity and campus relations. Hilary Reeves, managing editor for The Business Examiner in Tacoma, succeeds Neuts as chapter president.
“Our industry is changing rapidly with new business models and communication tools emerging daily,” Neuts said. “At the same time, journalists are concerned about the future of our industry and our continued ability to serve as a valuable ‘check and balance’ for democracy. I look forward to contributing what I can to those challenges while also renewing the public’s trust in quality journalism and its role in open government.”
Dana Neuts is a freelance journalist based in Kent, Washington. Her work has appeared in publications including Seattle Business, the Business Report, Kent magazine, Renton magazine, The Seattle Times, South Sound magazine, Seattle Metropolitan and more. She is also the owner of Virtually Yourz, a writing, editing and marketing firm that serves small businesses and nonprofits, and the owner and publisher of iLoveKent.net, a community-based news and events website. She is a member of the Kent Downtown Partnership, serves on the board of the Halo Network Foundation, and recently founded Kent Connects, a local “no rules” networking group.
For more information, please contact:
Dana Neuts
Virtually Yourz
360-920-1737
dana@virtuallyyourz.com
www.VirtuallyYourz.com
www.iLoveKent.net
###
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tweet Later - a great productivity tool
If you manage more than one Twitter account like I do, you know how time consuming it can be to follow your followers, reply with a Direct Message, etc. To help me manage multiple accounts, I use Tweet Later. This productivity tool is free and it allows me to manage all of my Twitter accounts from one place. I can even "vet" my followers. In other words, I can auto-follow or I can review each follower to see if I want to follow back. I can even mark those I don't want to follow - such as the numerous porn sites - as spam. It's a useful tool. Check it out.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Follow me on Twitter: iLoveKent
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Follow me on Twitter: iLoveKent
Friday, April 10, 2009
Avoid the Five Most Common Article Writing Mistakes
Nothing turns off readers more than typos, misspelled words and long sentences lacking punctuation. Here are some tips to help you avoid the five most common article writing mistakes.
1. Lack of content. The single biggest mistake you can make is to dilute content by drumming up keyword content. While keywords are important, they should be used sparingly and not at the expense of your content. Ensure that your subject material is well developed and organized efficiently.
2. Grammar and Spelling. Simple grammatical and spelling mistakes can make even the most knowledgeable author appear ignorant or uneducated. To convince the reader of your expertise, it is imperative that your article be articulate, authoritative and error-free. Take full advantage of your word processing Spell and Grammar Check utilities or have the article professionally proofread.
3. Punctuation. Improper use of punctuation (lack of punctuation, improper use of exclamation points, etc.) will detract from the overall quality of the article.
4. EXCESSIVE CAPITAL LETTERS. Using Caps Lock to emphasize a certain word may be appropriate, but overuse of capital letters tends to make the reader question the device: is this article a sales gimmick? Is the author an amateur?
5. Poor formatting. One-sentence paragraphs, run-on or nonsensical sentences, sentence fragments, and excessively long bulleted lists will all reflect negatively on the article’s quality. A properly formatted article will contain, at minimum, an introduction, followed by several paragraphs of 5-7 sentences, each separated by a blank line, with paragraph headings appropriately delineated from the text following, and ending with a conclusion paragraph.
Use of these tips in your article will further enhance your online image, cementing you in your client’s mind as the professional to whom they should entrust their business.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
1. Lack of content. The single biggest mistake you can make is to dilute content by drumming up keyword content. While keywords are important, they should be used sparingly and not at the expense of your content. Ensure that your subject material is well developed and organized efficiently.
2. Grammar and Spelling. Simple grammatical and spelling mistakes can make even the most knowledgeable author appear ignorant or uneducated. To convince the reader of your expertise, it is imperative that your article be articulate, authoritative and error-free. Take full advantage of your word processing Spell and Grammar Check utilities or have the article professionally proofread.
3. Punctuation. Improper use of punctuation (lack of punctuation, improper use of exclamation points, etc.) will detract from the overall quality of the article.
4. EXCESSIVE CAPITAL LETTERS. Using Caps Lock to emphasize a certain word may be appropriate, but overuse of capital letters tends to make the reader question the device: is this article a sales gimmick? Is the author an amateur?
5. Poor formatting. One-sentence paragraphs, run-on or nonsensical sentences, sentence fragments, and excessively long bulleted lists will all reflect negatively on the article’s quality. A properly formatted article will contain, at minimum, an introduction, followed by several paragraphs of 5-7 sentences, each separated by a blank line, with paragraph headings appropriately delineated from the text following, and ending with a conclusion paragraph.
Use of these tips in your article will further enhance your online image, cementing you in your client’s mind as the professional to whom they should entrust their business.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Attracting New Business Through Article Writing
How do you attract new business? A very popular method is writing and distributing online articles, which not only help you establish your online presence, but further cement your expertise within your field. However, it is not enough to simply publish an article with popular keywords. Your article must lure the reader away from similar articles in their search engine results and keep them fixated through the resource box, where they will be directed to your website.
1. Use a catchy title. Captivate the reader with an informative or exciting title. If you were choosing a link among the many Google search results, would you be more likely to read an article entitled “Advanced Golf” or “How to Golf Like a Pro in 4 Visits to the Links”?
2. Write as the expert. If you are the owner of an Interior Design business, do not write about computer motherboards or popular diets. Write about what you know: preferred fabrics for the bedroom or living room, new finishes of paint, current home decorating trends, or flooring alternatives.
3. Maximize the resource box. Unless you would like your article to read like sales copy, do not include any promotional information within the body of the article. Instead, utilize the resource box to its fullest potential. Include your name, company’s name, a brief statement regarding your expertise, and your contact information, including relevant URLs, email and phone numbers.
4. Issue a call to action. Motivate your potential client to action by providing a FREE estimate, newsletter, ebook, tips, or consultation. Your reader found your article due to a targeted internet search, but it is up to you to close the deal!
If writing articles is a part of your marketing plan, ensure that the articles that you write properly reveal the person behind the article, leading to new client relationships.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
1. Use a catchy title. Captivate the reader with an informative or exciting title. If you were choosing a link among the many Google search results, would you be more likely to read an article entitled “Advanced Golf” or “How to Golf Like a Pro in 4 Visits to the Links”?
2. Write as the expert. If you are the owner of an Interior Design business, do not write about computer motherboards or popular diets. Write about what you know: preferred fabrics for the bedroom or living room, new finishes of paint, current home decorating trends, or flooring alternatives.
3. Maximize the resource box. Unless you would like your article to read like sales copy, do not include any promotional information within the body of the article. Instead, utilize the resource box to its fullest potential. Include your name, company’s name, a brief statement regarding your expertise, and your contact information, including relevant URLs, email and phone numbers.
4. Issue a call to action. Motivate your potential client to action by providing a FREE estimate, newsletter, ebook, tips, or consultation. Your reader found your article due to a targeted internet search, but it is up to you to close the deal!
If writing articles is a part of your marketing plan, ensure that the articles that you write properly reveal the person behind the article, leading to new client relationships.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
10 Powerful Tips for Marketing Your Small Business
I love Marketing.About.com. It's a great resource for all kinds of ideas for every kind of business. Here's a great article I found by Ann Marie Rubertone: 10 Powerful Tips for Marketing Your Small Business.1. Print your best small ad on a postcard and mail it to prospects in your targeted market.
2. No single marketing effort works all the time for every business, so rotate several marketing tactics and vary your approach.
3. Use cross promotion to market your business.
4. Answer your phone in a new way.
5. Add stickers and handwritten notes to your print materials.
6. Send a second offer immediately to first-time customers.
7. Use newsletters to focus your marketing on repeat business.
8. Host events.
9. Exchange services.
10. Enclose special offers and promotions in your outgoing mail.
Read the full article here.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
What is marketing?
If you asked 10 people what "marketing" means to them, you would likely get 10 different answers. You'd probably get a mix of advertising, branding, promotion, public relations, social media, business development, planning, marketing mix and more.
In my mind, marketing is all of the activities and tools that a person or company uses to promote its products, services or ideas. It should include all of the items mentioned above and so much more. So the next time you think about marketing and the tools available to you, don't limit your thinking to one aspect of marketing. Think of the entire gamut of possibilities, and you'll find a wealth of tools and opportunities available to you.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
In my mind, marketing is all of the activities and tools that a person or company uses to promote its products, services or ideas. It should include all of the items mentioned above and so much more. So the next time you think about marketing and the tools available to you, don't limit your thinking to one aspect of marketing. Think of the entire gamut of possibilities, and you'll find a wealth of tools and opportunities available to you.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Create a plan, draw yourself a map - Part 2
Continued from March 20, 2009 blog post:
2. Pick one goal at a time and think backward of how to accomplish this goal.
Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter by 10%.
a. Put a guest book in front of store asking people to sign up for email newsletter from the company. Also, post a printed display copy of the newsletter so that customers can see actual newsletter.
b. Add “Forward to a Friend” function to newsletters to encourage word-of-mouth referrals to newsletter.
c. Ask other respected business owners about their newsletter readership and trade ideas.
d. Track number of subscribers today and continue to check subscription numbers in order to see progress.
3. Add deadlines to goals.
a. Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter.
i. Put a guest book in front of store asking people to sign up for email newsletter from the company. Also, post a printed display copy of the newsletter so that customers can see actual newsletter. Complete by: April 2009
ii. Add “Forward to a Friend” function to newsletters to encourage word-of-mouth referrals to newsletter. Complete by: May 2009
iii. Ask other respected business owners about their newsletter readership and trade ideas. Complete by: June 2009
iv. Track number of subscribers today and continue to check subscription numbers in order to see progress. Complete by: Check number each month at the start of the month for the remainder of the year. Set reminder for 1st of each month.
I hope this helps you see that while it may seem daunting at first, but by writing out an actual plan, large, seemingly overwhelming goals are within reach. When you draw out a plan for your company, you are much more likely to achieve your goals and improve the health of your company.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Friday, March 20, 2009
Create a plan, draw yourself a map - Part 1
Think back to how you felt about your progress at the close of the year; were you happy, indifferent or disappointed? Did you meet your goals? Did you make any goals?
It’s easy to have vague, haphazard goals that never get met, especially when they exist only in the dark, forgotten corners of your mind. Why not consider making a plan for this year? Yes, it’s already nearly second quarter – who cares? Just like it’s never too late to quit a bad habit, it’s never too late to get it together and make a plan.
Start simply by making a short list of specific, measurable goals. Next choose one of those goals and think backward about how you will get there. Continue with each goal until you’ve created a path to your desired success. Be sure to consider factors like your busy times of the year and set deadlines.
Here’s an example for a small business owner:
1. Make a short list of goals.
a. Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter by 10%.
b. Create targeted advertising campaign for remainder of 2009.
c. Cut operating costs by 15%.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
It’s easy to have vague, haphazard goals that never get met, especially when they exist only in the dark, forgotten corners of your mind. Why not consider making a plan for this year? Yes, it’s already nearly second quarter – who cares? Just like it’s never too late to quit a bad habit, it’s never too late to get it together and make a plan.
Start simply by making a short list of specific, measurable goals. Next choose one of those goals and think backward about how you will get there. Continue with each goal until you’ve created a path to your desired success. Be sure to consider factors like your busy times of the year and set deadlines.
Here’s an example for a small business owner:
1. Make a short list of goals.
a. Increase number of subscribers to company newsletter by 10%.
b. Create targeted advertising campaign for remainder of 2009.
c. Cut operating costs by 15%.
- continued in part 2 to be posted March 23, 2009-
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The devil is in the details
I think this phrase originally came about because neglecting little details can ultimately cause a bigger task to fail. In today’s pervasive world of 24-hour connectedness and rampant social media, little details seem to be swirling all about us. However, the key is to distinguish between those details which are truly important and crucial to the completion of a larger task, as opposed to those details that are merely distraction. In a time when people are trying to do more with less of everything, including seemingly less time, it’s more important than ever to try and weed out those unnecessary details that divert our attention from what is truly important.
Think about your day and how you spend your time. Are you wasting away your time like a spendthrift bank executive, or are you frugal, taking care to avoid wasted time on unnecessary tasks? I can think of one huge time vacuum that many of us can work on; put down the “CrackBerry!”
For an interesting read on how changes in technology are affecting our concentration and daily lives, visit Newsweek and read, “Will the BlackBerry Sink the Presidency?” http://www.newsweek.com/id/183719
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Think about your day and how you spend your time. Are you wasting away your time like a spendthrift bank executive, or are you frugal, taking care to avoid wasted time on unnecessary tasks? I can think of one huge time vacuum that many of us can work on; put down the “CrackBerry!”
For an interesting read on how changes in technology are affecting our concentration and daily lives, visit Newsweek and read, “Will the BlackBerry Sink the Presidency?” http://www.newsweek.com/id/183719 Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
What are your marketing challenges?
Marketing and PR are great vehicles for small businesses, particularly in a difficult economy where a consistent marketing presence is more important than ever. The challenge, however, is having enough time, money and manpower to market to your target audience consistently and effectively.
I want to help you hit that challenge head on; I am working with Kirk Davis at Green River Community College to put together some very specific marketing "how to" workshops that can help you to grow or sustain your business, even during troubled times.
To provide content that is most useful to businesses like yours, I'd love to get your input.
1) What marketing challenges do you face as a small business owner? (e.g., limited time or money, lack of knowledge, lack of manpower, etc.)
2) What marketing tools (e.g., e-mail marketing, press releases, event promotion, etc.) would you like to learn more about?
3) Do you use social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and Biznik? Would you like to learn how to use these tools to increase your social capital?
4) What marketing ideas or tools would you implement on your own if you just knew how?
5) Do you have a marketing plan? Do you update and adapt that plan as needed?
Please e-mail your replies to me at dana@virtuallyyourz.com or call me at 360-920-1737. I value your input and will keep your replies confidential.
Thank you and may you and your business be prosperous in 2009!
Dana Neuts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wisdom from Microsoft's Bill Gates
"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."
~ Bill Gates
~ Bill Gates
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Henry Ford's Secret to Success
"If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own."
~ Henry Ford
~ Henry Ford
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Working Together
"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
~ Henry Ford
~ Henry Ford
Monday, January 26, 2009
Creating the Perfect Profile or "About Me" Page
[Continued from last week...]
To ensure that you write the best “About Me” or profile page, follow these guidelines:
- Briefly describe your education and relevant experience. This section shouldn’t reiterate the specifics of your resume, but should highlight the projects, jobs and coursework that pertain to the work, clients, or customers that you seek.
- Devote a small portion of your text to who you are outside of your career. Are you a parent, volunteer, community leader, wine connoisseur or weekend hobbyist? Do you fish, scrapbook, or collect first edition books? It is important to include items of interest that will show to your reader that you are relatable and approachable.
- Add a picture of yourself, preferably close-range. Avoid pictures that have distracting backgrounds, large groups of people, or are not in focus.
- List items that set you apart from your competitors. Do you have special qualifications, certifications or affiliations that will enhance a client’s work? Have you landed an easily recognizable client like Microsoft, Starbucks or Google?
- Be consistent with tense and person terminology throughout your paragraph. I like using present tense where appropriate (e.g., Virtually Yourz offers writing, editing and marketing services to small businesses and nonprofits throughout the United States.) I also prefer using third person (Virtually Yourz instead of I or we)
While the “About Me” page of your website is intended to be personal in nature, maintain your professionalism. Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and complete sentences throughout to prevent the section from becoming too casual.
Above all, keep in mind that this section should be about YOU, and it may be your only opportunity to impress the reader with the person that they will hire, so use it wisely.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
To ensure that you write the best “About Me” or profile page, follow these guidelines:
- Briefly describe your education and relevant experience. This section shouldn’t reiterate the specifics of your resume, but should highlight the projects, jobs and coursework that pertain to the work, clients, or customers that you seek.
- Devote a small portion of your text to who you are outside of your career. Are you a parent, volunteer, community leader, wine connoisseur or weekend hobbyist? Do you fish, scrapbook, or collect first edition books? It is important to include items of interest that will show to your reader that you are relatable and approachable.
- Add a picture of yourself, preferably close-range. Avoid pictures that have distracting backgrounds, large groups of people, or are not in focus.
- List items that set you apart from your competitors. Do you have special qualifications, certifications or affiliations that will enhance a client’s work? Have you landed an easily recognizable client like Microsoft, Starbucks or Google?
- Be consistent with tense and person terminology throughout your paragraph. I like using present tense where appropriate (e.g., Virtually Yourz offers writing, editing and marketing services to small businesses and nonprofits throughout the United States.) I also prefer using third person (Virtually Yourz instead of I or we)
While the “About Me” page of your website is intended to be personal in nature, maintain your professionalism. Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and complete sentences throughout to prevent the section from becoming too casual.
Above all, keep in mind that this section should be about YOU, and it may be your only opportunity to impress the reader with the person that they will hire, so use it wisely.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Using Your “About Me” Page as a Marketing Tool
Clients are more likely to commit to a purchase if they can relate to a real person, so make the most of your website’s “About Me” page or your blog’s profile. This is your opportunity to introduce your true self to potential prospects.
Of course, many people are reluctant to write about their successes because they don’t want to be perceived as braggarts. However, if you write your “About Me” page in a factual manner, it is the perfect venue to describe your professional and to tell potential clients more about the person behind the product or service.
See my next blog posting for tips on writing the ideal “About Me” or profile page!
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
Of course, many people are reluctant to write about their successes because they don’t want to be perceived as braggarts. However, if you write your “About Me” page in a factual manner, it is the perfect venue to describe your professional and to tell potential clients more about the person behind the product or service.
See my next blog posting for tips on writing the ideal “About Me” or profile page!
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
Monday, January 12, 2009
Boost Newsletter Subscriptions with these Quick Tips
Does your newsletter database need a boost? Here are some quick tips for growing your database of prospects and subscribers:
1) Offer a free report or gift for everyone who signs up in the next 14 days.
2) Give a $10 gift card to Starbucks to current subscribers who get 5 friends to subscribe.
3) Add your special offer to the signature block of every e-mail you send out.
4) Add a simple sign-up form on your website and/or blog to make subscribing easy.
5) Include your offer in the resource boxes of your online articles.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
1) Offer a free report or gift for everyone who signs up in the next 14 days.
2) Give a $10 gift card to Starbucks to current subscribers who get 5 friends to subscribe.
3) Add your special offer to the signature block of every e-mail you send out.
4) Add a simple sign-up form on your website and/or blog to make subscribing easy.
5) Include your offer in the resource boxes of your online articles.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A strategy that can't miss
In marketing, I've seen only one strategy that can't miss -- and that is to market to your best customers first, your best prospects second and the rest of the world last.
- John Romero
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Value of the Referral
Referrals from colleagues, clients and friends are extremely valuable to my business. In fact, referrals are one of my top two sources of new business. Approximately 90% of the referrals that contact me, hire me.
To keep those priceless referrals coming, I do the following:
1) I ask each prospect how they found out about me (web, referral, business directory, etc.), so I know where to concentrate my marketing efforts.
2) I personally thank each person who gives me a referral. Sometimes it is a handwritten thank you note or a personal phone call, and other times I give the referrer a gift or gift card, or treat them to lunch, to thank them for thinking of me.
3) To encourage referrals from my existing clients, I include a referral offer in my business agreement. In exchange for every referral who hires me, I'll give two free hours of my services to that client. This provides them with a tangible, quantifiable reason to refer me to others.
4) I refer my favorite professionals (graphic designers, editors, printers, etc.) to colleagues, so they know I'm looking out for their businesses too. Because I often partner with referral sources on projects, these referrals benefit me as well. I refer professionals who are good at what they do and whom I enjoy working with.
What can you do to grow your referrals today?
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
To keep those priceless referrals coming, I do the following:
1) I ask each prospect how they found out about me (web, referral, business directory, etc.), so I know where to concentrate my marketing efforts.
2) I personally thank each person who gives me a referral. Sometimes it is a handwritten thank you note or a personal phone call, and other times I give the referrer a gift or gift card, or treat them to lunch, to thank them for thinking of me.
3) To encourage referrals from my existing clients, I include a referral offer in my business agreement. In exchange for every referral who hires me, I'll give two free hours of my services to that client. This provides them with a tangible, quantifiable reason to refer me to others.
4) I refer my favorite professionals (graphic designers, editors, printers, etc.) to colleagues, so they know I'm looking out for their businesses too. Because I often partner with referral sources on projects, these referrals benefit me as well. I refer professionals who are good at what they do and whom I enjoy working with.
What can you do to grow your referrals today?
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
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