How to be a big fish in any size pond

By Marty Marsh

You don't have to join the circus or buy a whole town like the fictional character Ed 
Bloom did in the movie "Big Fish" in order to become a big fish in your own pond. It 
really requires very little effort to get your name out in the marketplace.

Here are some tips to help you become better known:

1.	Put your name and logo on everything. Not just advertising specialties and 
promotional items, but on everything you can including your vehicles, in 
advertisements and articles you write for publication. Put your name on anything you 
think your potential customers might see.

2.	Sponsor or Co-Sponsor an event. Check in with your Chamber of Commerce to see 
if they have events you can co-sponsor or create your own events around a theme or 
something that is exclusive to your trade. You can garner a lot of free publicity and 
build goodwill at the same time.

3.	Work your mailing list. Make sure that you are mailing something--a post card, a 
newsletter, flyers, gifts--on a regular basis to your in-house list. It is always easier to 
sell an existing customer again and again than it is to get new customers. Keep your 
business name uppermost in their minds by staying in touch constantly.

4.	Volunteer or aid a charity. Build goodwill and name recognition by helping out 
your favorite charity or non-profit group. You could underwrite their newsletter or 
sponsor fund-raising activities in your place of business. Giving away your time to 
the Chamber of Commerce or to charitable groups gets your name in front of the 
buying public many times over and costs you nothing but a few hours and a little 
energy.

5.	Write articles for local media or for trade publications. Nothing builds credibility 
and name recognition faster than having something you've written published.