Marketing Your Embroidery Business

There's at least 3 times the number of marketing ideas as there are people on the planet. So how do you figure out what will work best for you?

Start with what you are trying to sell, what kind of group will be selling your products to, age, race, religion, sex and about a thousand other factors will come into play. It may seem overwhelming but it's not. Do your research and find out what your clients are like. Once you are able to read them you'll be on your way to becoming a marketing success.

There's not a month in a year where the embroidery business slows down so you've got to be prepared and be ready to market for that season:

Marketing Ideas

• Donate your services to charity fund-raisers. Charity fund-raisers often include auctions and raffles. This is a great way for you to give to your community and get great publicity. The organization will usually include your company name, address and phone number in their program in exchange for your donation. Check newspapers or the Chamber of Commerce for upcoming fund-raisers.
• Have stories printed about you. Write a story about your business or have someone do it for you. Then find a newspaper or magazine that is willing to publish your story. Linking your story to a newsworthy topic will help get it published.
• Give away free specialty gifts. Giving away free specialty gifts with your business name, logo, photo, phone number or web site is a simple way for you to be memorable to others.
• Serve on an Association Committee. You not only meet key people but you will develop relationships with them which is how you grow your credibility. Remember it is not how many contacts you have but the impression those people have of you. Taking on responsibility and following through puts you in a class above others. You will be someone that others will feel confident sending business to.
• Create your Advocate list. Notice who thinks highly of you. Which friends, clients, associates think you are great? These people will be great referral sources for you because they believe in you. Explain to each of them how they can send you business. Be sure to stay in touch with them at least every thirty days. Call them, send them a note, have lunch with them or send them business.
• Call, mail or email the top 20% of your customers an irresistible offer for an immediate cash bonus.
• Shift the emphasis of your website from a sales tool, to a vehicle to begin a relationship with your potential customers. You do this by offering valuable free information or products in return for their contact details.
• Make sure that all of your Marketing copy is a personal communication to the person reading it talking about their needs and desires, rather than a dull description of you and your business.
• If you haven't done so already, test pay per click advertising. It's revolutionizing Marketing and could revolutionize your business.
• Test a change in the headline on your advertising. It's one of the key differences that can increase response.

Marketing Resources

Embroidery and DTG Marketing Guide - This free downloadable PDF from MESA gives valuable tips on how to market your new embroidery and/or direct to garment printing business.
Embroidery and DTG Marketing Guide

The Business Marketing Association (BMA) focuses on the field of business-to-business marketing. BMA provides a wide range of marketing services and resources: training, seminars, research, articles, conferences, webinars and certifications. Visit the BMA website for more.
www.marketing.org

Marketing Resources Ltd. offers consulting services to associations and B2B marketers.
www.mrlweb.com

Marketing Profs.com has the latest marketing techniques and provocative commentary on today's marketing concepts and strategies, plus Online Marketing Seminars and Events.
www.marketingprofs.com

Entrepreneur.com is well established and respected for offering great info for start-up businesses. They offer a whole section just on marketing.
www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/

Hubspot offers a section on small business marketing, with lots of articles and a free Small Business Online Marketing Kit.
www.hubspot.com/small-business-marketing-hub