Creative Concepts For Effective Communication

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Keep an open mind about marketing your business, even in a down economy. If you keep putting your message out there, you increase the opportunities for customers to find you. When you want to make sure your message is clear and reflects the real you, work with a marketing communications expert. The investment you make today in your marketing strategy will pay off quickly with new business.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Spreading the word about what you do can be as simple as sending a few tweets, posts on a Facebook fan page, or short blog posts. And none of that has to cost much when you've hired an expert in marketing communications to do it for you. In fact, you can schedule weeks' worth of posts in advance and have it all automated. It's just that easy!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Ask about experience working with your type of company and/or customers. Ask about responsiveness to last-minute requests. Ask about pricing options; packages might be cheaper than by-the-hour pricing. Be sure to ask how quickly the project can be completed, and understand that your responsiveness is also part of that timeline. When you get all your questions answered in the beginning, the partnership will proceed much more smoothly.