| As a publicist and marketing expert I've | | | | them, then they contact you. |
| worked with a number of doctors, lawyers, | | | | |
| entrepreneurs and authors in their marketing | | | | 3. Create or improve your web site. There's a |
| efforts. I've used practically every form of | | | | ton of business out there online, but if your |
| marketing method from public relations and | | | | website looks ancient, then there goes your |
| advertising to internet marketing and direct | | | | credibility. So, make sure it's up to date, |
| mail. You name the medium; I've done it... | | | | has the new articles you just wrote and that |
| that includes banner towing planes, hot air | | | | you've optimized it so search engines can |
| balloons and highway billboards. But when | | | | find you. Worse yet, if you don't have a web |
| you're the owner of a small business and | | | | site, better spend more than your lunch hour |
| captain of your own ship, money is tight and | | | | creating one. There's really nothing more |
| every minute counts so you need to maximize | | | | important than creating a web site for your |
| both time and money to the fullest. So, | | | | business. Want a top notch site? Check out |
| looking at an area that most people just | | | | the web design services at |
| slough off, I am here to tell you how to | | | | |
| Market Your Business During Your Lunch Hour. | | | | 4. Take an online marketing class. If you |
| | | | are eating a sandwich at your desk then sign |
| I've come up with a few things you can do | | | | up for Google's Pay Per Click (PPC) tutorial |
| over the lunch hour to promote your business. | | | | and become a master at PPC. Go to Google PPC |
| Here we go: | | | | Tutorial and check out how you can generate |
| | | | new leads via your web site using Pay Per |
| 1. Never have lunch alone. Network with top | | | | Click marketing. Few things you could do with |
| execs, current clients, people who can | | | | your time will pay bigger rewards. |
| influence others, everyone from the pastor at | | | | |
| the church to the head of the Chamber of | | | | 5. Speak at your local service clubs noon |
| Commerce. Make a list and keep your lunch | | | | time meeting. Every service club i.e. |
| calendar full. Let's face it, everyone has to | | | | Rotary, Kiwanis, Women's Club etc, need a |
| eat lunch and if you're buying most people | | | | speaker. Even if you talk about your hobby, a |
| would eat with anyone! | | | | charity you support or something outside your |
| | | | area of expertise people are getting to know |
| 2. Write one article a week. Everyone has | | | | you. People like to do business with someone |
| expertise on certain subjects related to | | | | they know and can trust. Personally I talk |
| their field. Write a 600-1000 word article | | | | about my hot air balloon flights in Michigan |
| about a focused topic. First come up with a | | | | and my exploits around the world. Most people |
| list of topics you want to write about. Then | | | | find it very interesting and it allows people |
| set a goal to have them completed by a | | | | to get to know me better. The Bottom |
| certain date; one a week works for me. If you | | | | Line: Your lunch hour is a terrible thing to |
| don't have time, hire a ghost writer (you | | | | waste. Put it to good use and watch your |
| still get to put your name on it). Where do | | | | business grow and prosper. One more |
| you find a ghost writer? Check your local | | | | thing. If you think working through your |
| newspaper; chances are there's a writer who'd | | | | lunch is a little insane then you'll find a |
| like to pick up some extra cash. Can't work | | | | sympathetic ear in a new book by Washington |
| with someone so close to home, go two towns | | | | DC business coach Lisa Whaley. The title says |
| away to that community's newspaper. Or, check | | | | it all: "Prisoners of Technology, Time to Get |
| out this online resource at: Then publish | | | | Unplugged!" Lisa says instead of making |
| the articles on the internet using sites like | | | | life easier, technology has introduced |
| Why should you go through all this trouble? | | | | complexity. Instead of giving us more time |
| It's simple. People search online for the | | | | with family, technology has pulled family |
| solution to their problem or for someone or | | | | members away from each other and toward their |
| something that can solve their problem. Once | | | | devices. Maybe she has a point! But, hey I am |
| someone reads your article they are | | | | working through my lunch, how about you? |
| "pre-sold" on your ability to do the same for | | | | |