Marketing as a community service
Here is how you can make money! Share your knowledge for free!
Build Consumer Confidence
You are probably wondering how you will make money from sharing for free. Well, the more people get to know about how your products or services benefit them the more confident they will be in either doing business with you or referring others to you.
Do market research on the needs of your target market. Identify the market segment and your niche in that segment. Reach out and provide your knowledge for free.
The personal computer market grew rapidly worldwide because it was so easy for bootleggers selling unlicensed copies of software to create the market which was then captured through a combination of education and enforcement of intellectual property law. People became aware through free information on the benefits of paying for software licences that provided updates and upgrades.
Create A Market
Sharing for free may initially create a market that benefits others more then you. However, once prospects realize that you can give them added value they will turn to you for premium quality.
Sharing knowledge for free creates consumer awareness and familiarity. Sharing freely also establishes trust in your brand. Consumers will pay more for high quality products and services. Successful businesses know that to be competitive they must hire the best and deliver high quality. Multinational businesses succeed by hiring the best consultants from the leading business schools to give them a competitive edge.
Seek Advise on Latest Developments
Corporate leaders are willing to pay thousands of dollars for a weekend retreat with top business professors even though the book may be cheaper. Leaders of small and medium sized businesses too can acquire a competitive edge by seeking out consulting advice.
Yes! Most of the information is available for free on the internet. But it is the human to human interaction with consultants that leads to deep insights and competitive advantages in the market place.
Benefit From Giving
Giving away free samples as a marketing tool has been around for quite a long time. Now you have the opportunity to give knowledge away to a wider market through the internet. This can help you to grow your market share. Once consumers experience a benefit from your knowledge they will be willing to pay for added benefits.
A young entrepreneurial student was successful in selling to customers worldwide. When asked, “How did she get customers? The reply was, “Well, there are lots of people on social media”. She gives free advice and that builds trust. This young entrepreneur is growing her business while still attending business school.
Rework your marketing plan and business modal to grow your market by becoming a trusted adviser to the community you serve.
Siddha Param
International Business Consultant
Reboot your business plan for sustained high growth
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