The Dilemma of the Invisible Business: How to be Seen

How do you get noticed? How do you get them to your website? How do you get them to buy?

Your goal is to get more people to use your services as a freelance translators. The strategy is to get them to your website and from your website to your store, online store, or the nearest Starbucks. Here are some ideas to help you increase your opportunities to more freelance translation jobs from your website.

What Your Website Should Do?

Your website should motivate, inform, and educate people and give people reasons to visit your site and engage your translation services. The only way I know to get people to use a service buy is to give them reasons to decide so. Your website is usually your formal conversation with your clients. One of the best practices we teach is that you should be able to make a change to your website within 24 hours. This allows you to respond quickly to changes in the market and your offerings. Ask yourself this question, "Does my website give my customers reasons to decide to use my translation services or even know about them?" Another website best practice is including a map and directions to make it easier for them to find you.

Are You Kidding? Blogs are a Lot of Work

Your business needs a blog. What I really mean is, your raving fan customers need you to have a blog. Not everybody reads it, just those nutty people who love what you do. Your blog informs them, lets them be engaged with you. Blogs are free, but they do require time (did that unsell you on the idea?). Nancy Skorupa (Kent's Retailer of the year) is the poster child for how to do blogging right. She just put up a blog post on her Hat Attack promotion. When I googled "hat attack kent" Nancy's website and blog were the first three listings. People will find your website easier if you blog. Then link to your website from your blog. Learn how Nancy blogs, visit http://renaissanceyarns.blogspot.com/

Email Marketing is Way Cool

I'm assuming you already have a customer database. Collect those email addresses. Email marketing is the easiest and least expensive way to keep "Top of the Mind Awareness" going with your customers. Once you have an email database of customers you can cross promote with other partners who market to your same target market. It is the easiest way to grow your customer list. If you put links to your website in your emails your customers will find your website and come visit your store.

What's all the Hype about Social Media?

If you have raving fan clients, research shows they have on average about 150 connections somewhere through social media websites. What is crazy about these websites is that they are free or very low cost. Once you take the time to set them up they are like a 24/7 sales person working for you. If you remember to include a link to your website, then people will find it, tell their friends, and come shop at your store or website. Here is a quick list of social media websites for you to check out:

Biznik (of course), Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, Digg, Twitter, Eventful, Linkedin, Eons, Glee, MiGente, MyBatanga, and many more.

Other Ideas for Getting People to Your Website

1) Make certain your website is on business cards and brochures.

2) Include a link on outgoing email (usually in your signature line).

3) Create a lot of links to your website by making comments on relevant blogs and forums that include a link to your website.

4) Create attractive or irresistible special offers, coupons, or free reports that customers can find on your website

5) Include your website address on any marketing, ads, postcards, yellow pages, etc.

6) Write articles on topics related to your business or industry. (Include links to your website in the byline.)

7) Send snail mail to send post cards, brochures, or sales letters that lead them back to your website.

8) Use public speaking to promote your business and your website.

9) Networking events (like we do at biznik), classes, and get togethers are great opportunities to get the word out.

10) Paying for online ads with adwords.

Learn more about the author, Kirk Davis.