Re: Marketing advice for a design team

From: Ramon Ray <ramon_at_smallbiztechnology.com>
Date: Sat 19 Aug 2000 23:28:33 -0400

Hey Bonnie,

You raise some very interesting and valuable concerns
- however, I don't think you should worry so much about
perception. If there is demand for your service and you
can indeed find clients, simply speaking well to them,
clearly defining that you understand their needs,
giving them some examples of what you propose (not TOO
much where you've done half the work for nothing) will
go far in getting new clients.

You asked, "However, we're new to the area (small city)
so we would like advice on how to market our services
both locally and online."

1. Every client that you have had in the past and
currently get, have them write a short (3 line) and
then longer (1/2 page) letter of thanks for the
work you've done - a customer testimonial. These are
invaluable.

2. I would HIGHLY suggest you draw up a little booklet
- downloadable via the Web in PDF and also spend some
money for some hard copy versions. Name it something
like "10 Steps to Great Web site design" or something
like that. This is a document you can freely give to
prospects and to customers. It will not only portray
you as an expert but is a valuable and very useful
marketing material

Take a look at my "Small Business Technology Survival Guide"
http://www.smallbiztechnology.com/smallbiztechguide.htm )
for an example.

"In particular I'm worried about perception regarding
those "interruptions," because our portfolio is now
necessarily smaller and not so impressive anymore, and
we've just begun our website careers. I'm hesitant to
just march in and say, "Hi, we're good, we're capable
of high-quality work, but we've been away for awhile,
so please hire us and give us a chance to get started
again, get our portfolio fattened up . . . " Any
creative ideas? "

I don't think this is an issue you should have to
address at all. Simply state what you can do, show some
samples of what you have done and go for it.

Perception is very important, but it's not EVERYTHING.
And unlike television, YOU have the opportunity to
engage in live dialogue with prospective clients.


Ramon Ray, ramon_at_smallbiztechnology.com
Editor/Analyst http://www.smallbiztechnology.com
Small business technology news and info that's....different



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From: "Tina Lim" <gmci_at_fapenet.org>
To: <online-ads_at_o-a.com>
Subject: Launching a Public Service Site
Date: Mon 21 Aug 2000 08:12:56 -0000

As a contextual background: My client is from
an English-speaking country of 60 million, almost
1/6 of which are dispersed abroad as Overseas
Workers. We have been tasked to launch a website
and a care-center for the families of these OFWs.

Our mission is three-fold:

    1.. engage the families and the media to the launch;


    2.. stir interest in the site (from the Overseas Workers);


    3.. and possibly get the second round of funding from VCs.


Any inputs and tips would be greatly appreciated.


Best,


Tina Lim

Business Development Manager
Geiser Maclang Communications
Email: cidem_at_bigfoot.com
Telephone: (632) 9322403, 9519929





Received on Sat Aug 19 2000 - 22:28:33 CDT