Marketing guide for those thinking of starting a business or just started one.

1. Marketing for Start Ups
g p
The guide for all those who are thinking
of or have started a business.
of or have started a business

2. Product & Service
•What is your product/service
What is your product/service
•Is it relevant? Exciting?
•What is different about it?
Competition & Market Research
y p y g p
•Who are your competitors and what are they offering? At what price?
•Why are you different?
•Ask people from your “target market” what they like/don’t like about your
p
product/service and also your proposed name
/ y p p
Copyright Amanda Griscti, northridge creations © 2009. www.northridgecreations.com.au

3. Business Name
Fi d d d l b i
•Find a good and relevant business name
•Is it available – check http://www.abr.business.gov.au/
•Find the .com.au (and .com) first before registering a name. Don’t be too
concerned if .com is not available, but check what is currently on the .com site as
d if i il bl b h k h i l h i
it may offend or cause confusion
Logo & Branding
Logo & Branding
•What is the purpose of going into business? How do you want to be perceived?
g g y
•Seek advice on Trade Marking e.g. www.MarkYourTerritory.com.au
•Logo design should reflect name/brand and colours kept to max of 2‐3
Copyright Amanda Griscti, northridge creations © 2009. www.northridgecreations.com.au

4. Marketing Your New Business via Multiple Channels
•Marketing is a long term strategy
B t t i ll ff i d di i
•Be transparent in all your offerings and discussions
•Have a calendar to ensure you keep it up
Finding Your Customers
g
•Networking Events
•Business Development
•Promotional Activities (letterbox drops, advertising)
•Trade Shows/Events
•Trade Shows/Events
Being Found by your Customers
•Be Online
•Networking Events
•Search Engine Optimisation
•Search Engine Marketing
•Public Relations
Public Relations
Copyright Amanda Griscti, northridge creations © 2009. www.northridgecreations.com.au

5. Online Special Focus
•Website Design – ensure your website is designed with these things in mind
•Your product/service (each one to have their own page if possible)
•Your customer (ease of navigation and 3 clicks rule)
•Optimisation (ensure the website is built with SEO in mind)
•Directory Listings
•Make sure you’re listed in all the relevant free directories. Not just to every possible
directory – if it isn’t relevant people will see it as spam.
•Blogs/Facebook/Twitter etc
•If you have something to share then Social Media is for you. You also need the time
for the upkeep so start with the basics first then move to this.
f th k t t ith th b i fi t th t thi
Copyright Amanda Griscti, northridge creations © 2009. www.northridgecreations.com.au

6. Collateral for Start Ups
Collateral must haves
C ll l h
•Website
•Email template
•Business cards
•DL flyers/brochures
Collateral when budget allows
•Postcards
•Posters
•Banners
•Car signage
•Shop front and POS signage
•Promotional items
Copyright Amanda Griscti, northridge creations © 2009. www.northridgecreations.com.au

7. Communicating with your Contacts &Customers
•Once you have a contact and/or a client, you can’t just forget about them!
•Build A Mailing List
•Build A Mailing List
•Sending out email newsletter as frequent as it is relevant to do so
•Your Customers are your Sales Team – word of mouth is the most affordable way
to promote your business
•Repeat business from current clients – Start a loyalty program, say thank you
Tracking
Don t forget to ask where did you hear about us and keep a note of it
Don’t forget to ask “where did you hear about us” and keep a note of it
Case Studies & Testimonials
Where possible, have examples of your work and testimonials of clients.
Customer Service
This could be a simple “Thanks, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible”.
Copyright Amanda Griscti, northridge creations © 2009. www.northridgecreations.com.au

8. For more free articles, visit the mybusinesshelp blog at
www.northridgecreations.com.au/mybusinesshelp
Copyright Amanda Griscti, northridge creations © 2009. www.northridgecreations.com.au