Choosing your marketing channels is just a fancy way of saying 'how are you going to get in front of people to let them know what you offer?'
There are dozens, if not literally hundreds, of different ways to reach your target clients.
Never underestimate the power
of even the smallest marketing promotion.
As long as it's smart and on target,
the smallest marketing promotion
can make a huge impact.
APRIL GUY
Sending out a monthly e-newsletter to all of your current clients, potential clients, and everyone else you know is one marketing channel.
Another option might be to host a wine and chocolate tasting party — and who doesn’t love wine and chocolate?!? — for your clients and their friends.
Yet another great marketing activity is developing relationships with other professionals who also specialize in serving your ideal clients and who would be glad to share information about your services with them.
The good news is, you never have to choose an activity that doesn't fit you or your style or your budget, or that you just plain don't like.
In other words, you get to pick the marketing channels that you really like, the ones that feel 'right' to you, and the ones you know in your heart that you will actually DO on a day-to-day basis.
And best of all, your reward (just for following what you like — pretty cool, hmmm?) is that these are also the methods that your ideal clients will best respond to.
In my book, that's a win-win-win all the way around.
The challenge most small business owners face is how to choose which marketing activities to actually do. And that's where they get stuck in the sticky quagmire of indecision.
They ask themselves "what is the best marketing activity to get the most clients?" or "which one should I choose?" or, my personal favorite, "what’s the one most other small business owners choose?"
Here is my recommendation: choose which marketing activities you want to do.
The key word here is 'want.'
"I have a much better understanding of what I need to take into account when getting the word out about teleclasses I want to offer.
There were so many suggested resources, I haven't had time to review them all yet, but they all seem to be amazingly helpful!
In addition to the resources, Sue has a wonderful ability to help participants expand on thoughts shared...I just got so much out of this class! Thanks Sue!!!"
When you choose marketing activities that you enjoy, you are much more likely to do them regularly.
And regular, consistent action is what it takes to bring phenomenal clients in the door.
I typically recommend choosing about five marketing channels that you can and will do on a consistent basis.
Below is a good list to get you started:
Building personal relationships:
breakfast, lunch, etc. with colleagues, clients, or potential clients
canvassing
client appreciation events
direct solicitation
handwritten notes
networking
open houses
personal email
personal mail
personal phone calls
sending articles to colleagues
special events
volunteering
Getting others to spread the word:
asking for referrals directories letters of reference letters to the editor links on other websites newspaper interviews print articles print feature stories print quotes professional referrals public relations radio & TV commentary radio & TV interviews referral listings sponsorships strategic alliances testimonials
Showing what you can do:
conference calls
house parties
introductory consultations
photos
portfolios
radio show
samples
seminars - private
seminars - public
speeches
teleclasses
teleseminars
trade shows
TV show
workshops
Writing all about it:
articles booklets books columns direct email (bulk) direct mail (bulk) eNewsletters letters newsletters post card marketing website
Advertising:
airport signage banners billboards blimps building signage bus benches/boards classified advertising counter displays display advertising floor stickers inserts/circulars lawn signs marquee advertising mobiles movie trailer ads multi-media CD-ROM posters and playbills pre-movie advertising slides product/service placement on movie or TV radio commercials shopping carts sky writing/airplane banners stickers/bumper stickers television commercials yellow pages
Again, choose about 5-7 marketing channels that fit your style and your personality, and then start doing them over and over again.
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Another option might be to host a wine and chocolate tasting party — and who doesn’t love wine and chocolate?!? — for your clients and their friends. 
