Marketing That Works!
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I took some time today to analyze my business for the past year. I printed a report with all my customers then went through one by one and wrote down where that customer came from - yes I know each customer and how I earned their business.
I basically have 3 sources of business:
- In person Networking
- Online
- Tradia (an online Trade website)
I counted up everyone and came up with percentages that I would like to share publicly.
- In person Networking won hands down at 80% - of that 32% were Word Of Mouth - referrals that people I have met while Networking gave me to follow up and convert to a client.
- Online efforts was 16% - these are people that found my website either by a search or through a Social Network of some kind.
- Tradia came in at 4% - not really worth my efforts here since this is the most expensive form of advertising that I did all year.
I often get people asking me if I think going to leads groups is worth the time investment for the business gained. I can say for sure that my business would have not made it through the year if I had lost 80% of my income.
Some might also say that if only 16% of my clients came from online efforts then is that a good use of my time - it takes time to have a quality presence online. What these numbers do not tell is how many of the 80% looked me up online before actually deciding to use my services. How many compared me to another designer, how many got to know me better through Social Media?
These are questions that I can't answer, but I do know that the combination of In Person Networking, Online Networking, and having a quality website that actually reflects my business gave me 96% of my total business last year.
Where do you think I will be this year? Out meeting people and carrying the relationship Online ~ I have another year of experience under my belt and I expect to get better results than last year. Stay tuned...I will let you know in another year!
Dotty
Views: 270
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Comments: 5 
About the Author: Dotty Scott
Member Since: 11/21/2008
Company: Premium Websites
Industry: Web Design
Primary Web Site: http://PremiumWebsites.net
The Bullseye Says It All
You're focused and passionate about what you do, Dotty. That's what has brought you the success you are experiencing and will continue to experience.
That's why there is such an emphasis in our training on identifying what really moves us. We get moved and there's no doubt our movement moves others.
By the way it was great meeting you at the live event, although we didn't get the chance to really chat for long. That will have to wait until next time.
Thanks so much for sharing your year's experience with us.
Word of Mouth referrals, Personal Contact, SM +Online Validation
Dotty, it is a great endorsement to you as a business woman doing your business well, paying attention to the details. Thank you for this transparent year review.
Evaluation of where your traffic came from demonstrates to all of us how our businesses, traditional and otherwise thrives with customer
relationship.
Congratulations on a good year and I know this next year will be even better.
I appreciated the opportunity to meet you in Portland.
It would be interesting to know how much your internet presence impacted the decision of local business owners to contract with you. Certainly, it can be assumed, your work with establishing that online content factored in well.
Always Moving forward
Dotty, I have no doubt where you will be at the end of 2010. your growth and passion this past year is reflection of what is to come.
Your Work Proves Why You Get Business
Dotty, having had work done by you personally I know proves why people come to you. You are a hard working professional with quality websites.
I like the way you meet the needs of your clients to where they are at the moment, too, with your great teaching style. Keep up the great work and I, too, look forward to 2011 to see what business it brings you.
An example of Dotty's work (tweaking what we needed on our website - colors, SEO, etc.) Check it out:
http://GoodChangesNow.com
http://GoodChangesNowBlog.com
Kathy Beaman
Great Statistics to Look At!
Dear Dotty,
Wow, what a great article. I've never looked at that for my business but now I'm scratching my head and wondering why not?!
I appreciate you sharing your results especially because, as online marketers, we tend to forget offline methods. It's almost as if they are "lesser" or we're a "failure" at online marketing if we get leads offline.
I'm really glad you brought this up. Hmmm...
Now I've got to consider my business.
Julia