Indie Biz Publicity

Guest blogging – where you write blog posts for other people’s blogs – will introduce you to a whole new audience!

Do some searching and find a few blogs that you think are ideal for the target market you would like to reach. Then, email the blog owner and ask if you can write a post for them.

This should be original – and it should contain good information. No one wants to read an ad for your business, disguised as a blog post.

At the end of your guest post, include a short bio with the link to your site.

You just might get some great traffic and some new customers!

If you haven’t already done so, sign up for the Help A Reporter Out mailing list at www.helpareporter.com.

You will receive daily emails containing queries from reporters, bloggers, and other media.  These media professionals are looking for people to interview for the stories they are working on.

Each query will have specific requirements – for example, a reporter might be looking to feature a person who has been able to quit their day job because their business took off or maybe they want to feature someone who just started their business as a way to pay off student loans.

When you find a query that you are a match for, email the reporter.

This can be a great way to get some free publicity!

A “swag bag” is a bag that is given to people who attend conferences, seminars, or other events. Hospitals also give freebie bags to new moms.

Find an event that matches your target market and donate some small items to the swag bag. If you make soap, you can include a small sample wrapped in cute packaging with your card.

Caution: Do not give out more than you can afford. You don’t want to go broke doing this.

Some of you have businesses where you offer services (virtual assistance, web design, etc) , and it’s just not possible to set up a booth at a craft show/ trade show/ other show, etc.

Even if you could, it doesn’t make sense. You want to talk to the business owners, and how can you do that, if you’re stuck in a booth and they’re stuck in a separate booth?

Don’t worry – there’s a way to make this work.

Go to the craft show / trade show / other event, and walk around. Check out the vendors. Make small talk. Get to know them.

If you meet someone you might like to work with, take their card.  You can mention what you do for a living, but do not give them a sales pitch at this event. They came to that event  and paid money for a booth to sell products, not get pitched by strangers.

Once you get home, you can follow up with them. You took their card, after all. So, contact them.

Do you sell a product that can be displayed at a craft fair or trade show?

If so, you should definitely consider getting a booth.

There will be a booth fee, and the price will vary, depending on the size of the show. That being said, a booth fee could be a small price to pay for the opportunity to show of your products and get some sales.

Do some Google searches to find out when the next show will be happening in your area.