When marketing a service business, you often find that the same methods that will work for business that sells a tangible product may not work for you. The reason why it doesn’t work is because a service business is built on trust. And it’s hard to trust someone who you do not know personally. This explains most of why advertising doesn’t bring in hundreds of new customers during your first run. Below are the 5 ways that you can revive your marketing strategy and teach it not to talk back.

Plan it:
The process of marketing your brand will not build to a climax overnight. You’ll need to stay focused on the goal and continue sharing out your name for months, possibly even a couple of years. It’s a steady climb upwards but if you have the skill set to back up your ideas you’ll quickly build a powerful name for yourself. There’s more to being a successful freelancer than just being a talented designer, and by starting with a solid marketing plan you can ensure that your skills are maximized.

Look at what is cheap or free:
Business planning always starts with or revisits the basic aim or need to provide products or services to customers – also called a market or ‘market-place’. Consequently business plans tend first to look outwards, at a market, before they look inwards, at finance and production, etc.

Follow up:
All those marketing pieces you sent out a month ago are useless unless you follow up. Get in touch with those contacts. Say hello, repeat your offer, send them a relevant article, or just ask what they need and how you can help. They may not need your services, but you won’t know if you don’t ask.

Target potential clients that resemble your existing clients:
You must find suitable customers for your product or service to survive and thrive in a tough economy and an increasingly competitive marketplace. Identify and reach potential clients by consistently using proven market research and communication strategies alongside new online resources. Ask your existing client base. They know your company; communicate with them regularly to learn about their social networks for future referral possibilities. Get feedback with questionnaires or at meetups to refine your current offerings and sharpen your new client targeting.

Public relations:
Do something newsworthy, write a press release about it and see if you can get some coverage. Build a relationship with your local media as an expert in fashion, footwear, lingerie whatever your boutique sells and you will be the first person they call when they need a comment on a related story.