Add a 2 x 12 To Your Foundation

Many small businesses would benefit greatly from a couple actions, done routinely.

So that’s the 2 x 12 reference in the title – do these two things 12 times a year (as in once a month) and your business will benefit greatly.

Action #1 – Create a list of journalists that cover your business type, industry, community, etc. Once a month make a point of sending every member of this list something. As often as possible, send something personal such as link to a great industry resource they cover or a note commenting on or adding to a column they wrote. At the very least send some form of announcement, update, industry news or change impacting your business in the form of a one page press release. This type of relationship building with journalists will eventually land you in one or more publication as a resource or industry expert.

Action #2 – Come up with a list of something to send your clients, A prospects and referral sources at least monthly. Don’t wait for them to call you when they need something in six months or so. Make sure that you are keeping your name in front of them about every 30 days. Cross sell services, updates them on changes, point out an article you wrote in a trade journal, send them gift certificates to use as referral tools. Just make sure that when they think about what you do or when someone asks them if they know anyone that does what you do – your name is the first one they think of. Do this every month – mix it up – don’t just send the same old tired newsletter month in and month out.

These two pretty simple, inexpensive activities, that can be planned and delegated, will make the phone ring and stabilize the foundation of all of your marketing.

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Posted by: John Jantsch on Oct 30, 06 | 10:10 am
Category: Public Relations | Tags:

View Comments
  • CJ
    John, great post. As a former newspaper reporter, I know I would have valued an occasional new resource or some thoughtful commentary about my coverage. Boost your chances by providing a valuable resource or outlining a compelling trend or argument.
  • This is especially important when a client is paying you for a monthly contract. If you are staying in front of them, they won't freak when they receive their CC bill each month.
  • <pingback>...Duct Tape Marketing - Add a 2 x 12 to your foundation Keith Ferrazzi - Finding your Currency Geof Morris - Thoughts on Never Eat Alone Buzz Marketing and Customer ServiceDigg this ...</pingback>
  • John Jantsch
    David,

    1) Mix it up - call, mail, email, drop by, send a package.

    2) I think a newsletter can get tired when it looks the same. Part of the nice thing about a newsletter is that people know what it is and hopefully know where to find what they are after. The problem is that I think they can also get numb to its content. I like to send different things and try a little surprise.
  • Great advice John!

    As a publisher of a newsletters for accountants, I stress the importance of monthly contact too...

    I do want to ask a couple follow ups:

    1) How do you propose this monthly contact be sent? Mail / email ? (both?)

    2) What makes a Newsletter tired? Does that mean we should make our Newsletter more sporadic?

    or maintain the monthly newsletter and add supplemental mailings with timely info, etc?
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