5 ways to make time for marketing

Time continues to accelerate, with no signs of slowing or stopping. It's hard enough to keep up with the things you must do; when the crunch is on (and really, when is it not?), how do you find the time to handle the so-called lower-priority stuff: the promotion and marketing and suchlike that never seems to present itself with the kind of urgency your other "fires" do?

I say it's time to look at marketing differently. Slice it small and think creatively: can you steal a minute or two to call a client whose name pops in your head on the way from the grocery store line to your car? How about forwarding a cool link you stumble upon, or posting it to your del.icio.us, your Stumbles or your own blog/website?

Here are five quick "marketing" tricks to keep a hand in:

1. Send a postcard.

I keep a variety of them (and small notecards) on hand for this purpose. People love getting mail, and a short note is a nice, simple way to keep in touch...for both of you!

2. Post to your Twitter.

What's Twitter, you ask? It's enforced short communication: a combination of mini-blog and social networking. (Here's mine, so you can get the general idea.) You get 140 characters to say something--that's it! Good discipline, great way to stay in touch.

3. Call right now.

The best time to call someone is often when you're thinking of them. Yes, it happens at odd times. If they're too odd, call yourself and leave a message to call them at an appropriate time the next day. Sure, it counts: like your client/contact/friend is going to know they popped in your head at 11pm instead of 2pm?

4. Forward a link.

Sending an email is marketing? Yes, if contains content that's useful to the other party. We all spend time surfing, catching up on blogs--all kinds of online stuff. When you find something cool, forward it on with a little message. Yes, right then. Or save it to your drafts folder if you don't want people to know your surfing habits. 

5. Visit a favorite marketing blog and leave a comment.

Remember: you don't have to blog to get into social media. And look--you're on a blog right now. With enabled comments! Don't forget to leave your URL. And to add something useful to the conversation.

Like...other ideas for quickie marketing?

Comments

[David Scott]

I usually make it a point to respond to a post everyday on any one of the various design forums out there. All my posts have a link back to my website.

[Lisa Van Allen, PhD]

Great post Colleen... I especially appreciate the reminder to "call right now". I believe that there is often a reason someone comes to mind. Too often I resist the urge to call... but today (after reading your blog) I picked up the phone and discovered someone who really needed to talk. I got to be there for someone. That is much more than marketing... it's connecting on a deep level, making a difference in people's lives.
Thanks for being there for me!
Lisa
www.VanAllenCoaching.com

[the communicatrix]

David - A great rule of thumb! It should be on my own, permanent, daily to-do list.

Of course, when am I *not* leaving comments on posts. But still. A rule can be a good thing.

Lisa - Thanks, and you're right: connecting is more (and better) than marketing. Glad you made someone's day. And that in some small way, we helped!

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

Colleen - Great suggestions! My method of finding time to market myself is having office hours of Monday through Thursday; 8:00 to 5:00. No client contact at all on Fridays and my Friday morning is an appointment with myself to focus on marketing/promotion efforts. - J.

[Nicole Bandes]

- Start a quick conversation with someone while waiting in line. They may not be a candidate for what you do but you never know who they know.

- Be a connector. When having a conversation with someone and discovering a need they have outside of what you do, help them fill it with someone else you know.

- While running errands, drop off some marketing material in the area.

- Use time while waiting (in the dr office, car wash, etc...) to go through your phone and call on people just to KIT. Keeps the conversation short.

[Susan Mathews]

Oops, I may have met you while waiting in the dr's office. Most people do not want to hear your KIT phone calls, no matter how short. Please be considerate. A quiet alternative could be to make your KIT list while waiting. Thank you!

[Jennine Arena]

I like the idea of the postcards. In the past, I've written out postcards to potential clients and they seemed to remember the individual, handwritten postcard more than the general postcard that goes out to just anyone. Thanks for the helpful topic, Colleen.

[Natalie Manor]

The idea that marketing can be quick and immediate is a terrific way to look at it. Your suggestions are good. I especially like the phone calling when you think of it. I am a late night person and people will have my message first thing when they pick up their messages. A powerful marketing tip that has worked well for me is sending a physical article underlined in the spots I think the receiver will be interested. Good cash flow to us all!

[the communicatrix]

Jeff - I love the idea of marking a whole day or part of one to handle marketing. Not that I'm organized enough yet to do it!

Nicole - Good ideas! Although I'm with Susan on the quiet zone exceptions. Out of earshot of others is a good rule of thumb.

Jennine - People do remember. I had a tiny guest spot on a sitcom once; two years later, when I ran into him at the Montreal Comedy Festival, the star of the show still remembered me, my name, my character's name (and I had 3 lines!) and the copper postcard I sent him. A testament to the power of the unusual.

Natalie - Little things add up, and they're a lot easier to manage sometimes than big things. Small side note: be careful about that late-night call returning. I work from home and have one line (bad planning on my part); I've gotten a few of those at midnight that scared the bejeezus out of me.

But for big companies or cell phones, it's probably pretty safe.

[Michelle]

I love this blog. I'm a photographer (and occassional web designer) in Central Florida and find it hard to find time to market my services. Thanks for the great advice!

[the communicatrix]

Thanks, Michelle. I'm so glad you find it useful. Keep us posted on what's working (and not working) well for you.

[lidia]

I have always been a fan of sending cards (which comes naturally since I have my own line of greeting cards). Recently, I started sending cards more often to clients and vendors: for birthdays, congrats, and especially to say thank you. People really appreciate the personal touch and the fact that you are thinking about them.

Let's keep the handwritten word alive!