You have conducted your market research, studied the need/ demand for the product/ service you have in mind, identified your market niche and finely honed all skills associated with running a business. Soon enough, the teething phase will be over … Now what?? Is it possible to morph your brainchild from a great, original idea to a successful, thriving business? You bet!
Here are the Bayt.com Career Experts’ top tips to boost your home- based business:
- Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth:Have you been designing women’s jewelry at home? Making paintings? Indulging in home crafts? Fabricating newborn baby clothes? Writing children’s bed time stories? Are your handmade ornamental goods all nicely shelved and ready to resplendently garnish someone’s home, library or office? Now is the right for you to spread the news as far as possible amongst direct family members, extended family members , neighbors and friends. Moreover, widen your network and reach out to your children’s teachers, the mothers of their friends at school, ex-colleagues, ex-bosses, ex-suppliers and beyond. Word of mouth has done wonders for some of the world’s Top organizations and it will do just the same for you should you garner its powers wisely, methodically and systematically.
- Place ads where they work best: You know exactly who your audience is and you must have an idea about where best to catch their attention. Place a simple ad at your local hairdresser, beauty clinic, women boutiques, supermarket ad board, school boards, etc. Think of this task as a marketing exercise that can enhance your list of clientele at a very low cost or even free of charge if you’re lucky! Leading pan-regional online classifieds sites such as the one on Bayt.com powered by zeDeal are also a very wise way to reach the broadest target audience quickly, easily and effectively at zero cost! Define your unique selling proposition, design your high-powered ad and deliver it to your target audience using the best channels available to you.
- Launch a website: Most professionals who are not “super” technology savvy get flustered at the thought of launching their own website. The truth is the process needn’t really be a hassle if the right guidelines are adhered to correctly. Start by considering what you want to achieve of your website? Will it be an online sales center for your goods? A lively blog to keep your avid readers clued up on your latest creations, most recent products and the grand achievements of your home-based business? Only once you have a clear picture of what the goals of your website should be will you be able to decide if it is a project that you can handle by yourself or if you need professional help. There are many online tools that can guide you through the process smoothly such as wordpress.com. Or you may choose to hire a onetime only or permanent in-house web designer to do the job for you and sort out technicalities such as webhosting , naming the domain, creating your logo and submitting your website to online search engines. You then need to manage content, raise potential customers’ awareness of your site and boost user participation. Remember the key to maintaining a successful website is to keep your content fresh and compelling, use visuals wisely, engage your visitors and respond to user queries!
- Run your own online social networking/ marketing campaigns: A recent Bayt.com poll shows that online communication has replaced traditional forms of communication in the life of80% of professionals in the Middle East. The world of “Online” can make or break a business success today!! Sharpen your Social Networking skills and start your own social networking / marketing campaign from home informing online communities about your range of products or services. Targeting the audience you want can easily and quickly be done through the unlimited number of groups in leading social networks (i.e.: working mothers in the Middle East, Middle Eastern jewelry designers, painters in the Middle East, Catering in KSA, etc.) Similarly there are many other dedicated online reader forums and blogs in the region that serve as great communities for you to network in and raise awareness and excitement for your brand. Link to your website wherever possible to drive more traffic to it and try to translate this traffic into repeat, loyal clientele!
- Be careful with cash: Revolutionary as you may think your products and services are, you still need to balance the books if your business is to grow and thrive. Seek to think big but spend smart!
- Join professional groups and associations: Whatever business you are in, you will find a small group, association or seasoned mentor to provide a sounding board and guide you along the way. Seek ambitious, successful, like-minded people who can provide a supportive environment whether it is a local art group, writer’s guild, book club, sewing club, entrepreneurs association, professional association, professional women’s association etc..The sooner you start forging constructive alliances the greater the potential benefits and synergies that can be enjoyed.
- Plan a home exhibition: At this stage, you should have mastered the art of social networking, word of mouth referral generation and news sharing on your own website. Plan an open day in your house or a friend’s home to exhibit your paintings, jewelry, books or any other products you are working on and spread the news as far and wide as you can amongst friends, neighbors, family , extended family, etc. Also make sure to invite your friends, ex- colleagues and any contacts who are associated with local or regional media (may it be print or online magazines, newspapers, TV, radio or news sites). You never know who might fall under the spell of your creations or services and contemplate writing a full-length feature about you and/or your company! Best of luck!
