Learn To Market Yourself

Creating and maintaining business success involves marketing. This is how your consumers will know you exist. Meeting your customers needs must be your top priority.

Some businesses sell products and others sell services. The products you sell are a reflection of who you are. In a service based business the product is you. People want to know about you, your beliefs, values and what you can do for them. Confidence in your product is mandatory. Self confidence is essential in both types of business.

In a business selling a product buyers are usually called customers. In a service business they are most often referred to as clients. In medically related fields they are called patients and in an educational setting they are called students. Choose the appropriate term and use it consistently.

The people who buy from you want you to fulfill a need, solve a problem or achieve something they want. Discover their expectation and tell them how you can meet their need or admit you can't.

Have a referral network to share with the people who you can't help directly and they will remember your helpfulness. The people you refer to will refer back to you and they can become an ongoing source of business. Maintaining good networks is vital to a steady flow of income.

Knowing the characteristics of your ideal customer helps target your marketing. Ideal clients generate revenue, pay their bills and refer others to you.

Attending events where your ideal client would be found is an important part of marketing. Let the potential clients get to know you. If they don't need your services or product they likely know people who do. Remember that you are being assessed in these situations so show reliability, responsibility and sobriety. You want to be seen as knowledgeable, dependable and trustworthy.

Ask people about themselves, their wants and needs in a conversational way. Learn to listen to identify common areas of interest and business opportunities.

Understand that you are marketing your Self even when you are marketing a product made by someone else. Be the person people want to buy from.


Contact Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem M.Ed., for help with your personal and professional relationships.

marilyn@mbcinc.ca