Today we’ll take a look at how the kings of industry wine, dine and otherwise cajole prospects.

Most successful professionals use a series of information-based ads that build emotion and include a call to action. These are much more effective than standard company branding advertisements. The same principles that go into putting together a high-impact (and, often, high-priced) ad campaign can be adapted to fit your needs with similar results.

Here are some ways to put together and execute a professional, effective ad campaign:

1. Put together a short report that you’ll automatically send to prospects when they contact you. This should include a brief description of your business and what you specialize in. Don’t forget to include case studies, samples, or other proof of your success.
2. Develop value-oriented yellow page advertisements.
3. Consider newsletters to educate and inform customers about your industry and services.
4. Offer a free seminar, webinar, or other lecture to raise awareness of your business. Ensure that the information is relevant to your target market and invite respected industry speakers.
5. Purchase an existing business, implement improved marketing strategies, and accelerate the growth of this new venture compared to starting from scratch.
6. Always test different versions of your ads to find the most effective ones.
7. Use direct mail marketing to grow your business.
8. Put together a database of previous customers and send them new information.
9. Offer incentives such as frequent purchase benefits, loyalty programs, referral programs, or other options.
10. Approach large firms who may need your services and negotiate a deal to be their exclusive expert in your field.
11. Offer a 24-hour information line with a regularly updated recorded message. Make this available to all past and future customers/clients.
12. Donate time or materials to local charities to show support in your area.
13. Offer public clinics where the general public can come to discuss their needs in a free and approachable environment.
14. Organize seminars that your customers or clients can pay to attend by creating a high-perception value package.
15. Approach the local newspaper and offer to write a weekly column about your area of expertise. Request a byline and a bio without asking for payment.
16. Develop a weekend or another destination seminar for your customers or clients. This not only provides you with an action-packed weekend with the most important people but also offers them a tax-deductible business adventure.
17. Take a good seminar and turn it into written form as a home study, member site program, audio or video program.
18. Approach large companies and offer to give seminars to their employees, investors or management.
19. Be proactive with your marketing plan.
20. Barter for your marketing. Offer products or services in lieu of payment.
21. Be willing to bring in new clients, even if at an initial loss because it will likely pay off later.
22. Regulate your marketing budget to maximize the potential income from them to hit the next year and try to push back advertising costs for the next year to offset your expenses.
23. Make offers to target markets or target market businesses to pay them for referrals or shared databases.
24. Offer loaner products to replace equipment that is to be repaired or refurbished.
25. Give away something free to everyone who brings in a print version of your advertisement. This is a great way to see which ads are giving you the most bang for your buck.
26. Continually consider what new products/services you can offer to current customers/clients.
27. Develop a mail order division of your company.
28. Propose a trade to your competitors, exchanging customers or clients with whom both parties were unsuccessful in selling.
29. Use different marketing tactics as an excuse to attract new customers/clients with new offers and goodies.
30. Offer a “you-choose-the-price” program. This is especially useful for products you just can’t seem to sell.

So, there are 30 great ways to market to other professionals and businesses.

Some other great ways to get your name out there for little or no cost are:

• Get involved in your community by volunteering, donating to local events, and more.
• Join your local Chamber of Commerce and attend the networking and other activities throughout the year.
• Join a local, state or regional professional associate for further networking opportunities.
• Become a board member of a local organization.

Advertising should never be your sole marketing method; there are numerous personal ways to promote your name to potential customers or clients.

“Effective advertising…must be used to get your name out to the public. If your name is not familiar to people, they will not come to you.” – Jay Abraham

If you’re not sure where to start with your marketing plan, or how to reach out to your local community, competitors, customers/clients, and others who could positively influence your business, try our FREE test drive. Experience the tools and resources we have to boost your business to the next level and beyond.