1. Get out there! People do business with people they know, so build your business network. Attend industry conferences, join community organizations. Be visible. Connect in person and not just online.

2. Get listed-free! Want to show up in search engines and mobile devices without spending a cent? Be sure to set up your free business pages in Google Places, Yahoo Local, Yelp, and others. You can list your products and services, hours of operation, specials, coupons, even photos. Take advantage of this.

3. Keep your top prospects in view. Make a list of your top 10 prospects or referral sources and keep it on your desk, your mobile phone, or use it as the “wallpaper” on your computer. Contact each of them no less than once a month.

4. Develop your personality! Create a strong company brand and identity. Start with a distinct look-and-feel-logo, colors, typeface, etc.-that conveys what you’re about. Use those consistently-on everything! Your website, business cards, packaging, newsletters, marketing materials, job ads. If possible, give your brand some zip that makes it memorable.

5. Remember the golden rule of marketing: repeat, repeat, repeat. Whatever marketing tactics you use, you must repeat your message to the same audience in the same place, over and over again. It takes a long time for your message to sink in.

6. Tell people what they get, not what you do. In your marketing materials, focus on the benefits the buyer receives-rather than just long lists of features of your products or descriptions of how you perform your services. Of course, customers compare features and services, so you’ll need to include those, but always emphasize the benefits those features bring.

7. Create an email newsletter. An email newsletter is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to regularly stay in front of customers, prospects, and referral sources. Make sure your newsletter provides some value for the recipient, such as useful information, details on sales, or a special offer.

8. Get a tagline. Come up with a short phrase that conveys what you do or makes you special (like “The world on time” for FedEx). Yours doesn’t have to be catchy-just descriptive. Let people know how to remember you. Put it on your website, business cards, even in your email signature.

9. Go to a trade show. Better yet, exhibit. Trade shows are a great place to find a lot of customers in one place, do research on your competition, meet referral and information sources. Research which trade shows your target customers attend, and check them out.

10. Be visible online. Make sure you have a website. Learn about social media, and consider getting a Facebook page and Twitter feed. Monitor your reviews on Yelp or other customer feedback sites. If you’ve got something that will attract customers, start a blog or a YouTube feed as well.

11. Get a contact management system. Keep track of past and current customers, prospects, referral sources, and more. This data is an invaluable business asset-use it for staying in touch, making sales calls, announcing new products or sales, and more.

Resource:  The Planning Shop Report