I promised 30-minute, actionable, small business marketing tips … and here’s the first one. It applies whether you’re a new business owner or you’ve been in business for a long time. In fact, existing businesses would benefit greatly from revisiting this question on a regular basis.
Have you defined your business? In other words:
- Who are you?
- What do you offer?
- What sets you apart … and why does it matter?
Grab a pencil and notebook or open a new Word document, set the timer for 30 minutes and write the answers to these questions. This is for your use only, so don’t worry about spelling or form; just express it. Write it out!
Simple, right? This simple exercise is the first step in developing your sales message. For existing business owners, it will help you identify holes in your marketing communications or reveal areas that could use a little polish … so that the real you matches your message.
Feel like sharing? Leave your name (not keywords), email address, and company Web site in the boxes below, along with a few sentences that define your business. Yes, you’ll get a link back to your site, that is IF you have a real site to promote (not a spam blog) and IF you refrain from using keywords for your name. Objectionable content or links will be deleted. Real comments are heartily encouraged and rewarded!
Photo Credit: dotbenjamin on flickr
It’s true that as long as the business do not clearly answer these simple questions, they won’t progress as much.
I liked the questions, especially the third one. It’s really important to determine what your unique selling proposition (or whatever it’s called) is because that will answer why you’re the right choice and not your competitors.
Sometimes the simplest questions are the most difficult to answer succinctly, especially when writing. This is a great exercise.
This is a great tip! I’ll share it with my clients (if that’s all right with you). A short exercise as simple as defining your business can make a big difference in your mindset. I’ve found that several of my clients don’t even have a USP, and posing the third question to them may help them start to develop one. Thank you!
As someone that works on websites all day, way to often I see sites just completely missing this point. Even on their home page they skip including a tag line, or introduction message.
The way I like to do it is by writing a paragraph, then edit it down to two sentences, then one sentence, and then just a few words.