Build Your Brand by Promoting Yourself

Marketing – all companies do it. Whether a television campaign, internet ads, radio spots or magazine spreads: companies market themselves in order to stay relevant and attract clients. As self employed women it is easy to forget how important it is to market yourself. If you don’t – no one else will. You started your company or career because you have something to offer. You are an expert in your field and provide valuable advice and tools to your clients. The problem is that if no one knows about you, they can’t benefit from your services and your firm won’t grow.

Here are some tips you can use to promote yourself and grow your brand in 2013:

• Write. Share your industry knowledge by writing white papers or articles for sites like Ezine.  By writing articles as an expert you are increasing your credibility and exposing your brand to millions of people. Make sure to provide a link back to your site or your content information so that what you write can generate leads.
• Press Releases. Women On Business lets you publish press releases so that other people can hear about news within your organization. You can also submit free press releases at sites like PRWeb.com.  This is a fantastic venue for sharing information like new product releases, additions to the team etc.
• Webinar.  Host free seminars to share information with prospective clients. You can use LinkedIn to get the word out. The seminars can be done online using free programs like Google Hangout. Use them as a way to give valuable information on topics you are an expert in. At the end of the webinar take the opportunity to sign up new clients.  Even if you don’t get clients during the first few webinars, you are building your brand and expert status.
• Reviews.  Ask customers to give you a review. Google+ Local lets people review your services. When people are searching for providers in their area the reviews will show up. This is especially relevant to people that are within their “circle”.  For example if someone searches for an accountant in Detroit and someone in their circle has reviewed your services, your information along with their review will show up. This turns into a referral opportunity.
• Newsletters. Send out a newsletter to your data base full of tips and tools they can use.  Send relevant information out on a monthly basis. By sending out short pieces of information, readers will look to you as they want to learn more.
• Websites. There are plenty of websites that will let you post information about what you do. This site is a perfect example. It is a local business letting other companies talk about what they do, in hopes that the sharing will be reciprocated. This gives both companies exposure to the others clients.

Promoting yourself is an important part of being self employed. While you may have a heavy client load now, marketing and self promotion ensures that will continue. As you continue to present yourself as an expert it also offers opportunities to grow your company and your staff. Your knowledge is worth sharing. Start today.

Bethany Wood

Bethany Wood is a serial entrepreneur and has started several successful companies in a variety of fields including manufacturing, distribution, consumer goods, financial services, marketing and consulting. She is currently the President of SEI International and has business interest in the US, India and China. As an entrepreneur Bethany is constantly finding opportunities to expand SEI’s holdings and as a business owner she is continually learning new ways to improve business performance. As a writer Bethany contributed to and edited the Back to Basics management book.

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