There are so many different ways to advertise your business today. Just from sitting here in front of my computer, I can: send out email blasts, start ads in Google AdWords, Yahoo/Bing Ads, Yelp, Yellowpages.com, Citysearch, Facebook Ads, Twitter, LinkedIn, and any other website that I want to pay to promote my business. That’s basically limitless! You would never run out of places to put your ads. But what is the most effective way to advertise for your business?
Is there really anything better than a happy and satisfied client that is willing to tell all of their customers about you and your business? Is there anything better than knowing that you have a small army of many of these individuals that are willing to spread the word about how awesome you are? This is living, breathing, perhaps traveling, free, and ongoing advertising for your business! If this is happening for you, then it also means something bigger. It means you are doing something right! #mustbedoingsomethingright It means that you built something, created something, or helped someone so much that they are willing to turn around and help you!
As an example, here is one of our happy customers that I check in with personally all of the time:
Words from a happy customer of theBrewRoom:
As a new doggie daycare and overnight boarding business owner, I needed a website that was not only eye catching, but user friendly as well. Not knowing a lot about websites and how they work “behind the scenes” I needed someone that could help me think on a business and creativity level the best way to run and design my website to maximize on the visibility of my site over my competitors. I could not be happier with Sam and all of his help, input and most importantly patience. He paid attention to my goals and came up with extremely thorough solutions until we found the perfect fit. He provided ideas and feedback, met with me on a regular basis constantly ensuring we were both on the same page and was EXTREMELY prompt with completing tasks and responding to my questions. I definitely would not have been able to do this without Sam. He was awesome to work with and my website hits have increased tremendously in just a couple of months!
~Courtnay Rowan – Friendly Paws Pet Resort, Robinson, PA
Well, Sam, what if I haven’t received any happy-customer feedback like you did?
Well, “insert your name here“, you can just ask! I actually sent out a nice little email asking my clients if they would be willing to write up a testimonial for me and my business. It was really simple. I have a MailChimp list of all of my clients, and I email them once in a while to update them on what I am doing, and to see if they have any needs. You never know when a past client is going to need something more from you, so stay in touch!
Now, we know that all of your clients won’t be willing, or able to do this for you. Heck, you might not even want certain clients to speak on your behalf! 🙂 But, if you do have a few, that you know are happy, and you know would be willing to be an evangelist for your brand and your work, then let them know, and show them that you appreciate it.
The Bottom Line:
If you have happy customers that are spreading the word about you and how great you are, you have done something right, and you have free and credible advertising sources. There is nothing more effective than that. They may not tell 100 people a day. But, they are telling another living human being about you – directly. And they may even be able to answer some questions. That’s a heck of a lot more than a text add can do!