Marketing is marketing …

Posted on 2/10/2009 at 12:34:59 PM

whether you’re trying to sell silverware or a haircut.

You build up the product or service with description and visuals, make the buyer feel as though they can’t live without it, make the buyer think it’s DIFFERENT and BETTER than anything else they’ve ever had (of course, you have to follow through on that and BE different and better)!

In an industry where the rate scale is SO VERY varied and you want to appeal to a certain group of people, you have to set rates and stick to them.  You may lose some people or you may have some people say that you’re too expensive and who the hell do you think you are?  Uh, do you want those people?

You have to schmooze (see and be seen).  There are literally HUNDREDS of boards across the US.  Hang out, tell jokes, answer questions, participate in games and polls.  SEE AND BE SEEN.  Make yourself a known quantity.  You don’t even have to advertise in these places (if you WANT to advertise, a small, discreet signature is best); I have several clients who post on the two “big” boards general areas A LOT.  They are very popular

Make yourself visible to your targeted market.

Exclusive? Upscale? Elite? Really?

Poor spelling (cum) is not any of those things.

Showing pink (in any public capacity) is not. Leave something to the imagination.  There’s a lot to be said for mystery.

A poorly put together website is not – and this is where it may seem like I’m cutting people down or advertising.  I’m NOT.  I am pointing out basic marketing facts. Marketing facts that I follow myself.

Your website should be easy to navigate.  All information should be easily found. If you have “racy” photos, they should be in a private area (this is just my opinion on what is upscale and classy).

If you are going to charge a rate that may seem “high” to some, you should own your own domain and not have a FREE website. If Tiffany’s had a free website, no matter the quality of their jewelry, the people with the money to spend would stay away.

Basic marketing.  Look like the market you’re trying to attract.

Stand out from the crowd.  If someone is cruising and making comparisons YOU are not going to be memorable if you sound/look/seem like everybody else.