How might I reach my potential customers?

This question focuses on marketing methods. This should highlight, in person, mail, email, social media, advertising as well as identifying how to identify the market preferences for communications. This may include looking out to trade groups for a business segment for recent discussions on the topic.

Needs Assessment

Process to refine the Question:

• Who do you define as your potential customer?
• What have you tried already?
• What amount of time and how much money are you looking to spend to reach a potential customer? - The costs can range depending on what type of outreach is used.

Difficulties often encountered

• Businesses may say "everyone" or think that everyone is a potential customer. While true, being able to focus on the attributes of customers that the business has interacted with in the past and thinking about what new attributes they are looking to attract may help scope the discussion to something more concrete. Every business wants more revenue, but this requires thinking strategically and focus on the next closest step.

Resources and Next Steps:

• What kinds of marketing activities are possible?

Catalog / Guide Documents

• Small business marketing strategies : All-in-one for Dummies
• Small business marketing kit for dummies
• 90 days to success marketing and advertising your small business

People and Organizations

Business Support Organizations

• U.S. Small Business Administration|SBA
• Resource:PG County Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• Resource:Hispanic Business Center
• Resource:PG County Economic Development Corporation
• SCORE Mentor Services