One thing I am about to do is this: I’ve been asked to quote on a website for an association that looks after part of a market that I’m targetting. I think I’ll include with their proposal, that if any of their members want a website done, and enquire via the association’s office, I’ll pay the association a referral fee and give the member a small discount. To me, it’s cheap marketing (the association does it for me), the new customer gets a small discount, and the association get a few dollars for doing not very much! I figure that’s win/win/win.

I should even pen a small article for their next newsletter to coincide with the new website’s launch.

There’s my next ‘pull’ strategy…

I’m targeting a relatively underserved market. Because the market is narrow, I’m tailoring the products/services to directly address this particular segment.

My hope is that the prospects recognize that I have takes the time to invest in their concerns and will reward me by listening to my pitch.

This direct marketing technique will require more time that I would like so eventually the plan is to switch to a mostly ‘pull’ method once I am established.

Jobs tend to come my way out of the blue, which I think is a result of ‘pull’ marketing. Sometimes I wish it were more predictable, but I don’t complain when the work is there!

Paul

Thanks.

I dont think so. Its documented that, for launching new products/services/companies, pull is most effective. Im on it. The problem is (always the same) TIME.

Push technic is better to maintain a consolidated position.

What about me?
At my daughter school there is an annual expo: any october parents of any student that have a business may have a place to show their products.

I think thats a good oppotunity to speak to them. Im working on it. I will talk about … yes: about Pull Marketing and advantages of persuasive communication for sites.

I write my heart out 3 times a week and you reference Brendon’s articles on this blog? His stuff is fantastic, but what am I, chopped liver?

Hurt,

Andrew

For several years now I’ve been working with 4 people who were initially clients. These guys were so happy with what I did for them, that they took the step of recommending me one notch higher. They actually commit people to web sites. They gather all the requirements, deal with their customers directly. Then they call me, and get a price from me for the work. Past that its up to them to make sure all of the requirements are met. They get paid (usually double of what I charge), and send me my share.

From my standpoint this works great, because I’m already used to working with these people and understand their quirks and input.

I have recently been looking for ways to establish some pull marketing for us. I’ve personally gotten involved in standards committees for industries relevant to someo of our client base, and have been speaking to some of the more technicaly guys about establishing ourselves as “open source” leaders in some uncharted areas of electronic business to see if that oould lead to work there. As a dry run, I created a single page info website, and got nibbles just from that.

Recently, I have been trying to extend myself into the web design community a bit, too. Although my company isn’t a design company per se, we’ll probably branch that way soon, so I’m trying to establish a basis there for the future.

In conclusion, my plot to take over the world is slowly taking form. Muahahaha.

PS - Brendon who? :)

BUT that’s my 2 cents - if you’re happy with it, that’s all that really counts!