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Never Overlook Your Local Market

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  #1  
Old 12-30-2005, 10:41 PM
DGCHOST DGCHOST is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 28

Never Overlook Your Local Market


All to often, online businesses forget about the vast opportunities available right at home in their local community. Never overlook this market!

Local Community Newspapers
Chances are that your local newspaper has a “business directory” section where you can display a small business card sized ad at a very affordable rate. I’ve seen prices as low as $10 per week! This is a great way to promote your brand in your local area.

You may also want to create a special promotion only available to your local community. Advertise this promotion with a display ad and you’ll be delighted at the response. I’ve seen a quarter page display ad that costs under $200 generate over $1000 in new revenues!

You can also utilize classified advertising in your local newspaper for only pennies a day! Yes, people do read the classifieds. Make sure to add BOLD TEXT to your title to increase the visibility of your message.

Trade Shows
Trade shows are one of the best ways to generate new business. To get a booth at a trade show or convention might cost anywhere from $100 to $1000. You will have the opportunity to personally promote your brand face to face to thousands of potential clients who are actually interested in your products or services. This kind of face to face contact is priceless!

Hold a Seminar
It sounds strange but seminars are fantastic ways to promote your business and to promote the fact that you are a true professional with extensive knowledge in your line of business. Someone they can trust! Make sure that all of your marketing materials promote your brand at every chance. Plus, you can charge a small registration fee to offset the cost of the room and pay for your time.

Example: A web site development firm might want to host a 1 hour seminar on “creating a successful online presence” or “Generating additional sales online”. A small conference room that holds 50 - 60 people might cost about $350 (including light refreshments). If you charge $10 and get a turn out of 50, you would generate $500.00 (Leaving you with $150 profit). Plus, that’s 50 business owners that have a very good change to actually become a paying client!

Check with your local chamber of commerce for upcoming business seminars and events that you can take part in. You might also want to join your local chamber of commerce. Many times, members will only do business with other members so it’s a great market to tap into.

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  #2  
Old 01-02-2006, 02:04 PM
AdeptHosts AdeptHosts is offline
Web Hosting Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 743
Great article. I would strongly agree. If it wasn't for my local market, I don't know if I would still be in buisness. The local market is a great place to get new clients.

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  #3  
Old 01-03-2006, 11:23 AM
wmghori wmghori is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 19
I'll give it a try and post the results in couple of weeks lets see what happens

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  #4  
Old 01-03-2006, 02:15 PM
DGCHOST DGCHOST is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 28
I wish you great luck with your advertising. I can say for sure that our local market is what really got us going a few years ago. It would be great to hear your success stories and those of other companies.

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  #5  
Old 01-04-2006, 03:52 PM
Ekhwan Ekhwan is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: United Arab Emirates
Posts: 92
I would totally agree, I have only 2% of foreign clients while all are local. The main advantage I have is that I have to spend less on overheads like transaction charges and get paid in local currency.

My clients enjoy a local provider coz they are always sure to have someone to support them at anytime. Mostly a person they know face-to-face. They feel more comfortable and are happy to pay a little higher for the sake as well.

And to tell you I am making a good profit out of it while cutting costs at the same time.

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  #6  
Old 01-04-2006, 05:39 PM
Shaw Networks Shaw Networks is offline
Hosting Specialist
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Washington, USA
Posts: 3,219
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ekhwan
I would totally agree, I have only 2% of foreign clients while all are local. The main advantage I have is that I have to spend less on overheads like transaction charges and get paid in local currency.

My clients enjoy a local provider coz they are always sure to have someone to support them at anytime. Mostly a person they know face-to-face. They feel more comfortable and are happy to pay a little higher for the sake as well.

And to tell you I am making a good profit out of it while cutting costs at the same time.
Wow, I'm quite surprised, only 2% foreign clients. Anywhere from 35% to 50% of our clients are from overseas. Maybe we should turn a bit more local.

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