Being new to the area (more like the state) let alone starting a new business is tough, but doing both is even tougher. Trust me! So, how do you grow a business when you are new to the area and don’t know anyone? Well, the same way everyone else does when they start a business – get out there and get your hands dirty.
Getting your hands dirty will vary if you are business to business (B2B) or if you are business to consumer (B2C) as well as the type of industry you are in.
Check out these ideas to get your brain stirring:
- Cold calling or walking into businesses to introduce yourself and leave a card and hopefully put yourself in front of a business owner. It also gives you and opportunity to find out who the business owner is, grab a business card, leave one and follow up later.
- Reach out to businesses that run other ads in places such as the yellow pages, newspapers,
mail ads or coupon books, online ads or the like. Typically these are folks that know they need to market their business to make money; they have allotted money to marketing and are trying to get out in front of more eyes. - Reach out to businesses that may compliment your business (ie: you sell baskets so connect with realtors who may want to give out gift baskets to their clients or if you sell a product that can be
showcased in another business without competing but nicely complement) - Networking groups have also been helpful in that you meet other business people such as yourself that are trying to meet other businesses or get in front of more people who know other folks.
- There are meetup groups around the United States and you can put yourself into meetups that are geared toward your particular interests (and business) or industry.
- Social media has been helpful in that you surely have friends that know someone who does XYZ or who know someone who may need ABC. Utilize these opportunities and put yourself in front of your friends and their friends regardless of where they are located as compared to you. You don’t know who they are connected with and whom those people are connected with and how it could aid your business. Bottom line, you really need to have a visual presence online.
These are just a few of the simple ideas to network and get yourself in front of more eyes. Should you need help with any of these, feel free to reach out as I would love to help.
Any other business building ideas, feel free to comment and share with the rest of the world!
~Kristen
These are all great ways to “get yourself out there”. Great tips.
Thanks Mike. You are so inspiring, I look forward to continuing our connection here with DIYSocial. You are like my mini Koala mentor… but you don’t know it… well, now you do! lol
Great post! a realtor friend of mine said he is old fashioned. He still likes to connect with his circle of influencers and ask for help. His daughter has joined his team. she is 100% social media connecting! Both work, frankly, you have to be comfortable with yourself and how to get out there!! great job! P
Well… at least they are getting out there. They have a great base, evidently, within that circle of influencers, but you have to start somewhere. I bet once his daughter starts booming it up for them, he may change his tune a little. I agree, both work… but the catch is… it’s something other than sitting and waiting for it to happen. At least he did the work some time ago to get referrals. Perfect… and thanks!
Good suggestions. It’s hard when you’re just starting. The biggest thing is to just get out there and meet people online and face to face.
Trust me… I know. I moved to Texas from VA in August and not only started “life” over, but then started a business in a new state. I have to get out there, they aren’t going to come knock on my virtual door unless they know I have one! lol
Good suggestions on “getting out there” To often people think “If I build it they will come” But no is going to come if they don’t know you exist! 😉
Thanks Daveda! How can they know you offer awesome services or products if you don’t have a presence that can be found, right! 😉
Right! 😉
I really like all these ideas about putting yourself out in front of people. Afterall, they can’t buy if they can’t see you!
RIGHT! That is the main premise behind my company… being more visible to be seen! 😉 Thanks Heather
While you can’t control your results, you can control your activity, and being in business is all about creating regular activities that can lead to those results.
So true Liran! You really can only control yourself and how you run your business. Great point!
Great ideas Kristen! …always comes down to starting…putting yourself out there!
Yep! The first step is to get moving, right!
I just held a fundraiser at our local high school. We had local home business owners come and set up tables. It was a great way to introduce businesses to the local community, and raise some money for the school.
Oh, that is another one! Great idea… to go to local Open House or home based business type fairs or craft shows to get in front of more people. Obviously it needs to work for your business, but that is a great and like you said… helped you raise money and expand your clientele but also for the school!
Love this, Kristen! Very practical ideas and ones that anyone can take advantage of. I need to do more of these myself. Thanks for outlining them for me!
Awww, thanks bff! I need to do them as well… but my key is to be sure that I continue! Just because I didn’t get any leads or referrals this month, doesn’t mean that I am not top of mind. It won’t happen over night!
Starting over is hard, I just did it. I moved to another continent this month. I will have to check what kind of networking groups and meetups they have in Germany. I don’t even speak the language that well anymore. My business is virtual so I keep expanding in the US and eventually move into the European market. Great tips!
Yes, me too Marita. I just posted on your blog… I feel your pain. It may not be Germany but it is my Germany, since I had never been to Texas and quite honestly the LAST place I’d expected to be (our exes are in Texas! lol).
My business is virtual too… but still, it is starting over. This transition basically forced me to do what I had been pondering for many months (do what I do for me, as opposed for another company), especially the jobs were in Houston and the commute alone would kill me and my spirit. So, it will be a good thing, eventually… just dealing with growing pains, such as yourself. The good news, we’ve got this! Thanks for sharing! Oh, native Californian too!
These are great tips, event if you’re established. Sometimes you get stuck in a particular pattern and need that “something” to get you going again. Thanks for sharing.
Very true Maria, we sometimes get in plateaus and we need something to push us forward… good point.
Yep! Starting in a new location can be difficult, especially when there isn’t a well established network. However, as long as a plan can be put in place and executed, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and success just right around the corner 🙂
True Edmund.. a good plan, things to shoot for and goals can definitely give better direction! Thanks for adding that in.
Excellent advice! There are plenty of ways to get yourself out there. You’ve gotta be like Nike and Just Do It!
Aww, now you had to go and plug Nike huh? lmao.
Excellent ideas! I personally love networking events. They seem to work best for us!
They sure do, don’t they!
Great ideas, networking groups, certainly make things easier.
Yes, thanks Stacey!
It can be so difficult to get going when you start a business or move to a new area. I agree with Liran’s comment. You can’t control your result but you can control what you do. It’s important to take action. Thanks for the tips.
So very true Clive… part of life.. we can only control ourselves! Thanks!
great tips! I’ve used a lot of these! Networking groups are the greatest and of course I love social media too. Nice post!
Yes… very true. I was referred by an IT guy at one of my first meetings to a home improvement gentleman… who (before taking my services, but after having a few conversations) referred my to an advertising/website development gentleman – who took my services…. then the home improvement guy came back and wanted to get started… all from one referral.. who I just met!
Oooh loving these tips and suggestions Kristen! One thing that’s very clear is that as a startup, you have to be proactive. It’s tough as a new business but if you want to establish yourself, the only way to do is to stand up, be brave and take on Kristen’s suggestions 😉
Awww, you are such an inspiration Chloe (how do I get those dots over your name? lol). Jumping into change is surely tough, but have a plan and hit them head on… right? 😉
Kristen, great ideas for a new and existing business to get out there. Even mature business can benefit from going back to the basics to grow and attract new clients. Great job! – T 🙂
Excellent.. and thanks so much!