How do I reach small business owners?

[shenku]

Hi all,

So I didn't even know that I was registered on this forum (Since 08!) but this is officially my first post. :P

So I have created (I think) a fantastic website, www.easyinvoice.co.za - aimed at helping small business owners invoice their clients.

And, its been plodding along, but now I REALLY want to market it hard and get a whole stack more users.

I have no idea, how to find and contact all these small business owners!! Sounds silly I know, does anyone know of a good mailing list or magazine I can use to reach a large portion of my target audience?

Thanks for your help!

[Dave A]

What have you tried so far?
Where do your existing clients come from?

[shenku]

Mostly from google adwords and people searching, i am looking for an existing business community though that i can use... :S

[Dave A]

Well, this business community doesn't enjoy being "used" - we prefer participating in a mutually beneficial win/win relationship

Try reading the changing face of marketing thread - some interesting points came up.

How effective has Google Adwords been for you?

[shenku]

lol, sorry, i dont think i was very clear, i wasn't talking about this business community - from this one i hope to get and share ideas and advice which is what i am asking for,

firstly i meant another community, something like a monthly business magazine or similar - and by use i meant use to market to,

hope that makes more sense...

[Dave A]

i wasn't talking about this business community

Now we're not good enough for you to "use"




Chill - I'm just kidding with you
I can have a twisted sense of humour sometimes

something like a monthly business magazine or similar

Print media?

[shenku]

well this is what I am thinking, but I am unsure of what/which print media avenue to persue...do you know of any good business magazines with a large readership? thx for the help

[Dave A]

I was thinking about the profile of your target market. Profiling is important because it gives you an idea as to where to market.

I may be wrong about this, but judging from what I saw on your website I'm guessing it's a pretty special niche.

You're looking for business owners who don't use a computerised financial package to generate invoices and manage debtors, but are online. These probably aren't small business owners - they're micro's.

And I'm not sure how many micro business owners spend money buying business magazines.

A clue will be in the profile of your existing clients.

It might be an idea for you to indicate if I'm barking up the wrong tree right now...

[Siya Zita]

Finding SMEs

Try visiting places like The Business Place and Umsobomvu centres.

[shenku]

you guys have given me some things to think about, still i am hopefull that there is a big enough market out there, just the strategy on reaching them might need to change...

fyi, had a chat with a lady at the cape chamber of commerce, they send out a newsletter fairly often which reaches 7000 people (so they say) and i can advertise in that for R1200, i think that might be worth it...what do you think?