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Marketing a new business locally - Q & A

Brooke asks the Sloans how to market her new business in her local community.

Rich Sloan: But we're gonna go to Brooke first in Sacramento, California.  Welcome to our show, Brooke.

Brooke:   Hi, Jeff and Rich.  Thanks for having me.

Rich Sloan: Hi, Brooke.

Jeff Sloan: So, what do you got for us?

Brooke:   Well, I just recently started a business and my business is called --

Jeff Sloan: That's a great way to start the call, by the way.  "I just recently started a business."  We love hearing that.

Brooke:   Literally, in the last week.

Rich Sloan: Wow, congratulations. 

Jeff Sloan: Okay.  So, I talked over you when you were saying the name of it.  What is it?

Brooke:   Okay.  It's GrowingPlacesConsulting.com.

Jeff Sloan: Okay.

Brooke:   And my company focuses on empowering people within companies by assessments, coaching, teamwork and leadership development.  Essentially to create an internal environment to get the results.  And then I also work with CEOs and management teams to define what strategic growth looks like for them and to help get them on track and build an implementation plan around that.

Jeff Sloan: How did you get the background to do this?

Brooke:   I am finishing my MBA, and have worked with CEOs and also in leadership positions for about the past ten years.

Jeff Sloan: Do you actually --

Rich Sloan: And you determined there was a business opportunity because you in working with them learned that there were certain needs, and then you've kind of created this business as a result of learning about that need in the market place, right?

Brooke:   Correct.

Rich Sloan:  Yeah, okay.  And I have one --

Brooke:   And also --

Rich Sloan: -- I have one more technical question for you, Brooke.

Brooke:   Of course.

Rich Sloan: Do you actually go to the classes?  Because Jeff, for example, never went to his classes.

Jeff Sloan: What does that have to do with anything?

Rich Sloan: Just --

Jeff Sloan: I still got my As.

Rich Sloan: Yeah, but you didn't get your MBAs.

Jeff Sloan: No, I did not.  I never took a business class.  But anyway, it sounds really interesting.  I think this is, no doubt, a hot business idea.  So, go ahead, Brooke.

Brooke:   One of the questions that I have for you today is, I just recently bought a house in a new area and started this business.  So, I'm wondering if you have any recommendations about how I can position myself with a new business in a new town to reach people and business most effectively?

Jeff Sloan:  You're talking about within the local community?

Brooke:   Well, I'm near Sacramento.

Jeff Sloan: Uh-huh?

Brooke:   So, that's the nearest metropolitan area.

Jeff Sloan: Well, I'll tell you there's nothing like getting out there and pressing the flesh.  I mean, if you're talking about reaching a big, worldwide market beyond your community, you know, we really believe in the power of the Internet and search engine marketing and all that, and no doubt that should be part of your plan.  Do you have a website developed?

Brooke:   I do, yes.  It's GrowingPlacesConsulting.com.

Jeff Sloan:  Okay.  So, you've got some credentials up there, and you describe what it is that you do?

Brooke:   Yes.

Jeff Sloan: But what you need to do is get out there, press the flesh.  We always -- as kind of obvious as it sounds, so many people miss on this.  But, you know, the local Chambers of Commerce have great meetings, have great mixers.  There's a lot of people in the community that'll be looking for your services.  I think in particular, the Chamber of Commerce in a community is great for you, because those are corporations in many cases that can really utilize your services.  So, marketing to a local community, there is nothing like pressing the flesh and getting out there and meeting people and using the power of word of mouth marketing to spread the world.

Rich Sloan: Thanks a lot for the call, Brooke.  And, Jeff, don't you love how she plugged her website twice?

Jeff Sloan: Well, see now I gotta tell you.  That's on the one hand, we don't necessarily want people coming on doing commercials.  On the other hand, you gotta -- we let it go --

Rich Sloan: Yeah.

Jeff Sloan: -- 'cause we just love the entrepreneurial spirit.  That's a smart person who takes advantage of the opportunity.