Bruce Freeman writes a column called the Small Business Professor for Scripps Howard News Service. Here’s advice from a recent column on boosting business in the down times, like now:
A positive mental attitude is critical. So is positive speech.
Stay connected. You want your clients, former clients, strategic partners and business associates to remember you first when services and products are needed.
Send an e-mail, postcard or letter. Contact a couple hundred associates with an industry tip or humorous cartoon.
Write an article or newsletter. You want to keep your name in front of all the people who will be in a position to purchase a product or service or to recommend you to someone who is when business picks up.
Pick up the phone. Each week, call five industry colleagues from whom you haven’t heard recently and ask if they have some collateral business that could help you.
If they say they don’t have anything, say this: “While we’re talking, I would really appreciate your taking a quick look though your database and giving me the names of two or three people who might be interested.”
Ask for permission to use their name when you make the next call.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
