Dazzle This Diva – Feb 17th
Pamela Goyette writes in with a question about trade shows and attracting potential clients:
Good Day Bossy Diva
Must say I am a HUGE fan of your weekly emails.
I actually just started over a month ago a new business venture. So far with much success. I basically am helping women from the bedroom to the bank literally. I do in home parties for many occasions which fits right in with my party planning passion I have.
I have had a couple of my own parties at my home. but was wondering what the best method would be to attract my potential clients and consultants? I want to grow my business not maintain it.
I have heard people doing the trade shows. Are they effective? I have heard yes and no.Or networking myself in the community and handing out my business cards everywhere I go.
I am just trying to reach my level 2. I need to get outside my comfort zone in order to achieve this level I am aware of that and have little fear about it, but I am worried about wasting my time and money on things that don’t work.
Please any advice on what you think may be the most successful route for me to take on this one would be so appreciated.
Your Party Gal
Pamela Goyette
www.mypassiondream.com
Share your advice with Pamela (and ME!!) in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether trade shows work for you.
Hi Pamela and Kim,
Trade shows? I’m not sure about them. I think we’ve done 1 so far, and it didn’t cost us anything to be there because Tony does antique appraisals and the show needed more people and we traded the booth rental for free promotion! (We got a free booth, the show organizers got to advertise that they had “Canadian Antiques Roadshow Expert” Tony Duke doing appraisals….). While it was at the beginning of our business and we didn’t hold out much hope being in a smaller town and venue we did get some business from it.
Our stragegy now as far as networking is concerned is to:
1. Join the Chamber of Commerce and show up at the 2x/month networking events. Donate a small doorprize ’cause they read out your name and you can attach a card. We make our own wine, so a free bottle of wine is always welcome!
2. I also joined the local Women’s Business Network. There are about 90 members, 65 or so of whom show up to monthly meetings. Again, donate a door prize regularly. They have a monthly “spotlight” where 2 members have 10 minutes to speak (and they have trouble filling the spots…), and they host a Chamber of Commerce mixer where you can rent table space for a small charge.
There’s no substitute for getting out there to network, but my advice would be to start by spending time and money getting your name “out there” first with the business community in your area. If you’ve got a killer party product, these are people who can also act on your behalf by referring you or booking parties for their own clients, etc. At our WBN, for instance, you have 65 women who are potential clients – and who know who knows how many other people in the community. As well, there are 65 women who know which trade shows work and which don’t – they’d be the ones to ask for more information in your own ‘hood.
Take Care,
Beth
Comment by Elizabeth Campbell Duke — March 10, 2010 @ 8:19 am
Thanks Beth! There are many ways of reaching your target customer very effectively.
Glad to see you’re diving in and networking with the proper groups!
Comment by kimduke — March 10, 2010 @ 10:00 am