Business development is crucial for every firm, but even more so for small business. Unfortunately, business development can also be very expensive. So how can you get exposure without breaking the bank? Simple! Here are 5 cost-effective and easy ways to grow your business while you save money:

1. Network

This may sound like a no-brainer but it’s surprising how easy it is to put off this powerful business development tool in an effort to be billable. Bad idea. There is no better way to get your name and face out there than to attend association meetings and work the room. What groups do your potential clients belong to? That’s where you’ll meet them.

2. Speak

The professional associations you are attending are almost always looking for speakers to share their expertise with the group. This is a perfect opportunity to not only reach your target audience but be seen as the expert. Take it a step further and offer to speak at conferences. Most of the time you not only get free registration to the entire conference but reasonable travel expenses as well!

3. Write

Craft interesting LinkedIn posts. Blog. Guest blog. Comment on your target clients’ blogs. There are many avenues to share your vision. Make sure that your business development message is clear and that you edit ruthlessly.

Do you need help growing your business? Click here to check out the website design and social media marketing packages from The Sherwood Group. Let us help you capture new business and achieve your goals.

4. Engage in Social Media

Be careful here. It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole if you approach social media without a solid business development plan. Start by following your target audience, paying attention to what they read and comment on and insert yourself into the conversation. Make use of a good social media management program.

5. Sponsor an Industry Event

This can give your business development strategy great exposure. Sponsoring can be pricey but, if you are judicious in selecting the event and the sponsorship level, the payoff is well worth the expenditure. Select an event that is usually well-attended by your target audience. Review the available opportunities and choose the level that provides the greatest exposure for the minimum amount of money. The best sponsorships include an introduction to you and your firm from the podium at a general session.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot to get in front of your target audience. Contact The Sherwood Group for more ideas to help your small business thrive.

OR

1. Download our graphic design and website design portfolio.
2. Download our web design and social media marketing price list.
3. Then contact Will Sherwood, CEO of The Sherwood Group.
4. And, sign up for our “work smart tips” email newsletter!

If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to check out these others:

5 Ways to Increase Business With LinkedIn
4 Ways to Attract Millennials To Your Website
Why Your Website Needs To Be at the Center of Your Marketing Plan
Building Your Brand One Tweet at a Time
How to Build Relationships Using Business Networking
The Biggest Lie In Website Design: You can Do it Yourself!
Yes, There’s Still Gold In Cold Calling.
4 Reasons Why LinkedIn Won’t Help You Generate New Business
How your small business can win BIG clients
FREE: How to Use Google+ to Advertise Your Business

This article is published by The Sherwood Group | Website Design | Graphic Design | Social Media Marketing: The Sherwood Group has over 30 years of experience working with all sorts of companies, small and large, in both the services and business-to-business categories. Our goal is to create websites, graphic design projects, and social media marketing programs that help our clients reach their business goals and still look fresh and relevant 10-15 years from now. Our mission is to stir your imagination and leave your competition shaken and wondering,  Now what do we do?”  We are located in North Myrtle Beach, SC, USA.

Do you need help growing your business? Click here to check out the social media marketing and website design packages from The Sherwood Group. We’ll help you capture new business and achieve your goals.

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