Big Marketing Results that Work marketing strategies that work • Marketing

Summer 2018 brought big marketing results for Nanette Thelemaque of InEssence Virtual Assistance. During this “Let’s Talk About It” chat, she shares details about the deep-dive she took into her business, evaluating its focus, what needed to be changed, and implementing those changes to its operation and her marketing strategies.

Ms.Thelemaque completed the following process that led to success and new customers.

Conduct an assessment of your business structure
- Review your messaging
- Unique value proposition clear
- Documents clear
- Does the website attract your ideal audience
- Social media presence and does it match my message
Persona professional development
- Do you need additional training
- Messaging
- Business processes
Get to know local businesses
- Reach out to existing customers
- Reach out to members of prior employment
- Check local job listings that she qualified for or had skills to fulfill
Conduct research of prospective companies
- Check the business website
- Review social media presence

Once you have completed your internal business review, Nanette provided the tried and true process she used for identifying prospective customers to contact. Her first step is to always set aside time to focus on cold calling. She recommended at least one hour of cold calling in the morning or afternoon. Another option is to set a number of calls you intend to make each day. Whichever option you choose, or with both options, stick to it!

Cold calling for big marketing results

Based on knowing your target customer, business and audience, Ms. Thelemaque suggests that you complete the following steps:

Research and identify your ideal customer
Learn about the company and their purpose/mission
Identify a key person to contact
Write a script and call the individual(s)
Don’t take negative responses personally. The individual may be busy or focused on other business matters.

Big marketing results networking resources

Reach out to local on and offline business resources
- Score.org (free)
- A local chamber of commerce,
- Networking groups
- Online Meetups
- Share your experience and expertise
- Educate members about the industry and business
- Volunteer your services so people can benefit from your skills and abilities (limit based on your own assessment)
  - Members can experience the actual value you can provide
  - You may receive accolades and testimonials for your efforts
  - Members will get to see you in action

Ms. Thelemaque stresses that when speaking with these businesses, find out what they need, their problems, etc. Don’t start with a “sales pitch”, instead, listen. After identifying their pain points, educate about how you can solve them. Ask questions like, “what’s your day like” or “what’s on your plate right now that you’d like to get off of it?” Show how you can be an alternative to the other options they’ve considered. Ask directly if they would consider hiring a virtual assistant, instead of hiring a temp or more full-time staff (they would have to train).

If the person is agreeable, pinpoint a date/time for the followup! If unable to reach the person or get a response, contact another decisionmaker.

Bottom line, Nanette says is, you must be consistent and persistent!

Her last bit of advice is to “Have A Plan” and implement it, even when you’re busy with clients.

Complete the following steps to achieve big marketing results:

Assess yourself
Assess your business
Take advantage of local free business resources
Make sure that you have a marketing plan
Make sure that you always have a prospect for your business
Create a daily call schedule
Go to local business networking events (morning, evening

Okay, this ends our chat with Nanette Thelemaque about how she achieved big marketing results this summer. You can accomplish the same, no matter the season. Create your plan, in writing, and step into your local market and beyond.

Before you leave, check out other Let’s Talk About It” sessions: