I’m a huge fan of networking. I don’t think there is any better way to build a business than to get out there, shake some hands, and get to know the people in your community that work every day growing their own businesses. Some networking requires a time commitment and it doesn’t provide instant gratification, but a strong network is one of the greatest assets any business person can have. This networking is more common to those that have time to sit at meetings with other entrepreneurs a few hours every week. This is a great way to see what is trending, hear about local events coming up that you could help sponsor or volunteer for, as well as get advice from others who have successfully started a business and made a living do it the right way.

So you don’t have time right now for networking meetings? Networking CAN be done without even trying. Make sure to wear your company logoed shirt / coat into every store or business you go to. This will help conversation start as well as get your name out. You will be surprised who will see your information just from wearing a shirt. You might just run into your next BIG customer!

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Now that you have “ networking” down and know that you don’t have to attend hour long meetings 3-4 times a week here is a list put together to help you get your name spread around. 

1. Set up a free listing for your business in search engine local directories. You can do this at http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/local/, https://www.bingplaces.com/, and http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/local/, Be sure to include your website link and business description. There is many local listing directories online. I would recommend adding your company to one listing a week till you see your business increasing.

2. Set your business profile or page up on LinkedIn,  Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter. Be sure your business profile includes a good description, keywords and a link to your website. Look for groups or conversations that talk about your type of products or services and participate in the conversations, but DON’T SPAM them with constant promos for what you sell. Not sure where to start ask someone who is in marketing, or an entrepreneur like yourself. No need to pay for this service it is FREE. However if you need help why not trade service for service.

3.If you're just starting out and don't have a business card and business stationery, have them made up -- immediately. You can create this on your own for FREE. Your business card, letterhead and envelope tell prospective customers you are a professional who takes your business seriously. Be sure to list your website address on your business card and, letterhead and any handouts you create. TIP: Don't make boring traditional rectangle cards. Put some creativity into your card so it stands out. (Example: Pet groomer could have a dog shaped card, or a hair stylist could have ones shaped like scissors).

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4. Get your business cards into the hand of anyone who can help you in your search for new clients. Call your friends and relatives and tell them you have started a business. Visit them and leave a small stack of business cards to hand out to their friends. If your already an established business offer your family and friends huge discounts for them to spread the word about your powder coating company.

5. Talk to all the vendors from whom you buy products or services from currently. Give them your business card, and ask if they can use your products or service, or if they know anyone who can. If they have bulletin boards where business cards are displayed (printers often do, and so do some supermarkets, gas stations, part stores...), ask if yours can be added to the board. If you purchase product from an online company ask if they promote businesses that purchase from them. Send photos and videos of your work using their products. Make sure to use your company logo on your photos and have your business information in the back ground of the videos. This is a great way to have people come to your website through other vendors websites.

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6. Look for something unusual about what you do, and publicize it. Do you offer 1-2 day turn around on restoring wheels? Do you specialize in restoring antique metal applications? Do you make custom signs? How about making custom bicycles? Send out press releases to local newspapers, radio stations, cable TV stations, magazines whose audiences are likely to be interested in buying what you sell. Be sure to post the press releases on one or more online press release services, too, being sure to include links to your website. To increase your chance of having the material published, send along a photo (but not to radio stations) with your press release. Editors of printed publications are often in need of "art" (drawings or photos) to fill space and break up the gray look of a page of text.

7. Write an article that demonstrates your expertise in your field. Send it to noncompeting newspapers, magazines, and websites in your field that accept submissions from experts. Many companies have Blogs for guest writers. Be sure your name, business name, phone number, and a reference to your product or service is included at the end of the article. If the editor can use the article you get your name in print, and possibly get your contact information printed for free, too.

8. Put  videos of your product or service on YouTube and other video-sharing and slide-sharing sites. Make sure to write a description of what is in the video. TIP: make sure the information you’re telling your views is correct. If you’re not an expert in your industry don’t give expert tips. 

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9. If you use a car or truck in your business have your business name and contact information on the side of the vehicle. That way your means of transportation becomes a vehicle for advertising your business. If you don't want the business name painted on the vehicle, consider using magnetic signs. Vinyl letters that have your website name on them work great as well.

10. Get on the telephone and make "cold calls." These are calls to people who you would like to do business with. Briefly describe what you do and ask for an appointment to talk to them about ways you can help them meet a need or solve a problem. You do not need to scroll through the entire phone book and call everyone. Look for the companies you want to partner up with. Maybe there is an auto body shop nearby that you can offer powder coating for. Offer them a percentage of the sale for simply offering the service and you coming to finish the work.

11. Learn to ask for referrals. Ask existing customers, prospects and casual acquaintances. When you get them, follow up on the leads. Word of mouth is the biggest seller. If someone like what you have done they will tell everyone. When Bob comes and has his wheels powder coated he will tell everyone who restored them for him. This is a great opportunity for you to have more people come in because of Bob’s referrals. Why not offer him a discount on his next job when he refers a friend to have a set of wheels stripped and coated?!

12. Start a web presence. Harness the power of the Internet to draw attention to your business. The web is full of free outlets that can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of consumers. Set up a business email and make sure you have at least one logo that you can use consistently in your icons before you get started. If you don't have a website, get one set up. If you can't afford to have someone custom-design your website, look up free sites that provide templates and tools that make it easy to create a basic website like www.wix.com and www.weebly.com .

13. You should be marketing all the time — wherever you are. Therefore, you need a compelling elevator pitch. Research shows the average attention span of an adult is about 6 to 8 seconds. That’s all the time you have to grab someone’s attention. If you successfully engage them, then you only have a little over a minute to really sell them on your product or service. Invest the time to craft a killer elevator pitch. The return on your investment will pay huge dividends in terms of creating business opportunities. REMINDER: Wear you company logo shirt where ever you go…let you shirt be your elevator pitch!

14. You don’t have to think big when it comes to your marketing efforts. Think locally. What’s going on in your community? Does the Athletic Boosters need a sponsor? What about the little league? How about sponsoring the trophy’s or the prizes at the next car show. Get to know your ideal customer and think about how and where they spend their time. Then search for opportunities to get in front of your customer with your marketing message.

15. Build your Google Places listing. List your business on  Google Places so that it will pop up on Google Maps searches and so people can share reviews and rate your business. Make sure you have a Gmail account specific to your business, and then start here. Yahoo! Local hosts a similar service. When you list your company on Google Places your customers can Google search and find you.