Moved to Seattle! How do I spread the word here about my home business, best options?

[newsea]

Reviews like on yelp and google places etc.? Where would you go for in-print reviews?

Originally Posted by PollyGlott

Whatever method you choose to make yourself known, good online or in-print reviews are key these days. It seems that more and more people read them, and rely on them when choosing a business. I know I do!

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by newsea

Reviews like on yelp and google places etc.? Where would you go for in-print reviews?

I am thinking of publications here in San Diego, such as "The Pennysaver" and "2 For 1", that have reviews of businesses. How one gets one's business reviewed there, I have no idea.

[StealthRabbit]

Definitely take advantage of Free Google maps business listings, so you show early on a search. (have your previous customers populate the 'reviews')

Recently there was whole webinar on free web marketing techniques. (I will try to find it, probably done by SCORE, SBDC, or SBA).
here you go https://google.connectsolutions.com/p72503390/
https://docs.google.com/present/edit...dHJxcGc2&hl=en
https://docs.google.com/present/edit...cWp4d2d4&hl=en

Spend some time in the resource section of Business Tools | SCORE
Attend workshops done by local chapter Seattle Score
(FREE counseling too) A good idea is to ask to present your business at a monthly meeting and get some 'group' feedback.

Talk with Helping Businesses in Washington State Succeed for Over 30 Years - WSBDC

Join some small business forums in your industry cluster.
FORM a local chapter of INDUSTRY cluster AND offer to publish the newsletter (A GREAT way to get quick networking and access to the 'Movers and Shakers' in your industry AND to interview suppliers and keep abreast of growth opportunities.)

Get a small display / fliers into antique stores where the 'wealthy' locals shop.
Offer to do some work for a local Theater group (eclectics that would be into spending on their own 'upholstery' projects)
Offer to do some work for a local Museum, or Historical Site (with lots of wealthy volunteers who will see and adore your work / contribution.

Join or attend some furniture making guilds.

[newsea]

Thank you, it is a great piece of information, I have copied the links, in case they will be removed, I will see what I can do.

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Definitely take advantage of Free Google maps business listings, so you show early on a search. (have your previous customers populate the 'reviews')

Recently there was whole webinar on free web marketing techniques. (I will try to find it, probably done by SCORE, SBDC, or SBA).
here you go https://google.connectsolutions.com/p72503390/
https://docs.google.com/present/edit...dHJxcGc2&hl=en
https://docs.google.com/present/edit...cWp4d2d4&hl=en

Spend some time in the resource section of Business Tools | SCORE
Attend workshops done by local chapter Seattle Score
(FREE counseling too) A good idea is to ask to present your business at a monthly meeting and get some 'group' feedback.

Talk with Helping Businesses in Washington State Succeed for Over 30 Years - WSBDC

Join some small business forums in your industry cluster.
FORM a local chapter of INDUSTRY cluster AND offer to publish the newsletter (A GREAT way to get quick networking and access to the 'Movers and Shakers' in your industry AND to interview suppliers and keep abreast of growth opportunities.)

Get a small display / fliers into antique stores where the 'wealthy' locals shop.
Offer to do some work for a local Theater group (eclectics that would be into spending on their own 'upholstery' projects)
Offer to do some work for a local Museum, or Historical Site (with lots of wealthy volunteers who will see and adore your work / contribution.

Join or attend some furniture making guilds.

[texastrigirl]

Originally Posted by newsea

Thanks, for your suggestion. But, I don't feel right about advertising in a place where customers have to pay fees. Customers who want to upolster their furniture often trying to save money, and paying upfront for saving money probably would not work for my type of business.

Newsea, I am always trying to save money...I am a CPA so it's in my DNA. But I feel the $40 annual subscription is worth it because it has saved me so many headaches. I remodeled two bathrooms with a contractor I found on Angies List. He was fabulous and I never would have found him otherwise. I move than saved enough money on him to pay for Angies List for years to come. I found my landscaper, painter, roof/gutter cleaner, electrician, carpet cleaner, plumber and even a driver to take us to the airport off of there. Because I stick to people who are only A rated with many reviews, I have had a great experience and have saved $ for sure. To each is own but I know most of my friends use Angie's List and consider it well worth the money. My painter said he almost hates it now when people review him because he already has so much business off of AL, he can't get back to everyone in a timely fashion and he feels his customer service suffers. It's a good problem to have esp. if you are starting out in a new city.

BTW, you can't keep people from reviewing you on AL either and you pay them nothing for reviewing you. They can put you there whether you want to be or not. The way I see it, it's just covering another avenue of advertising. It's as simple as asking a "how did you find us?" question and if they say AL, you follow up with them and ask them to write a review.

[vandygirl]

You need publicity. Bellingham has a "Wig Out" parade every year. Maybe you can stage a "mod-out" haircut parade down the street one day (if your customers are willing to sport your look walking down the street). Put the video on youtube and call up local tv and radio stations to tell them about it. You could even stage a flash mob in a local mall where people wearing your mod cut perform a little jingle about your salon.

Another publicity move is to offer a free mod cut on a specific day in exchange for donating something (i.e. a warm coat for the needy or toiletries for a local battered women's shelter). Get local TV stations to bring their crews out to your salon and film a story about it.







mod interpose: *sigh* ok, ok, I'll let this one stand. Everybody go ahead and get your 2-cents in now as we are going to close this thread shortly as it really now belongs in the business forum. So go ahead and everybody get their "mod cut" jokes out of your system now. --'r

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by vandygirl

You need publicity. Bellingham has a "Wig Out" parade every year. Maybe you can stage a "mod-out" haircut parade down the street one day (if your customers are willing to sport your look walking down the street). Put the video on youtube and call up local tv and radio stations to tell them about it. You could even stage a flash mob in a local mall where people wearing your mod cut perform a little jingle about your salon. Another publicity move is to offer a free mod cut on a specific day in exchange for donating something (i.e. a warm coat for the needy or toiletries for a local battered women's shelter). Get local TV stations to bring their crews out to your salon and film a story about it.

mod interpose: *sigh* ok, ok, I'll let this one stand. Everybody go ahead and get your 2-cents in now as we are going to close this thread shortly as it really now belongs in the business forum. So go ahead and everybody get their "mod cut" jokes out of your system now. --'r

Haven't laughed this hard in a long time.
Rocco, thanks for letting us keep this going.
"mod cuts: the next thing in hair care!!!"

[newsea]

I have got here many answers as where on the internet I can go and what usually average business do when they need to advertise, I am not so good at it, and really appreciate it. But, what I was hoping for is East Seattle specific information. I was hoping this thread will be helpful for people who are in the same shoes as I am - struggling a tough battle to fit in in East Seattle business community. I did not look forward to get my thread closed, but I guess it is my fault I was not specific enough, like - what news paper in East Seattle should I give my ad to and where do you guys look for services in "local" sources. I like this forum and moderators do a good job keeping it clean, if you think this thread does not reflect life of the people here then kill it anytime.

Originally Posted by vandygir

mod interpose: *sigh* ok, ok, I'll let this one stand. Everybody go ahead and get your 2-cents in now as we are going to close this thread shortly as it really now belongs in the business forum. So go ahead and everybody get their "mod cut" jokes out of your system now. --'r

[newsea]

I will ask my customers if they have account with them. How did you got convinced to open account with them?

Originally Posted by texastrigirl

Newsea, I am always trying to save money...I am a CPA so it's in my DNA. But I feel the $40 annual subscription is worth it because it has saved me so many headaches. I remodeled two bathrooms with a contractor I found on Angies List. He was fabulous and I never would have found him otherwise. I move than saved enough money on him to pay for Angies List for years to come. I found my landscaper, painter, roof/gutter cleaner, electrician, carpet cleaner, plumber and even a driver to take us to the airport off of there. Because I stick to people who are only A rated with many reviews, I have had a great experience and have saved $ for sure. To each is own but I know most of my friends use Angie's List and consider it well worth the money. My painter said he almost hates it now when people review him because he already has so much business off of AL, he can't get back to everyone in a timely fashion and he feels his customer service suffers. It's a good problem to have esp. if you are starting out in a new city.

BTW, you can't keep people from reviewing you on AL either and you pay them nothing for reviewing you. They can put you there whether you want to be or not. The way I see it, it's just covering another avenue of advertising. It's as simple as asking a "how did you find us?" question and if they say AL, you follow up with them and ask them to write a review.

[texastrigirl]

I just opened it on my own because I had heard it was a great place to find reputable people and with a large landscaping job or bathroom remodel, it's nice to have in-depth reviews on someone when you are spending that kind of cash. It has never, ever steered me wrong.