Build your reputation. Nothing ensures local marketing success more than positive word of mouth. Build a positive business reputation by going a little beyond what is expected and providing excellent customer service.

Many customers are willing to pay a little extra to get great customer service and individual attention. By building your business to provide this, you ensure that you can retain your customers longer and even raise your rates a little in some cases.

Spread the word. Tell locals about your business using a multi-task approach. Send out flyers or mailers in the local area. Place your business card on several bulletin boards. Barter with other related businesses so that you can promote each other’s services. Let your local paper run a piece about your business.

When you want to attract attention, it’s always best to try many different approaches to see which works best for you. You’ll also want to let friends and family know that you’re ready for business and ask them to help you spread the word too.

Use free media. Getting your local paper or television station to do a story on your business is fantastic opportunity for all involved. Firstly, many media outlets are looking for newsworthy stories. It may just be that they’re interested in featuring your business.

Free media attention is better than paid advertisement. When people see an ad they know that someone is trying to sell them something. However, if these same people hear about you through the local paper, they’re more likely to take a closer look at your business. Media attention also may mean more credibility for your business.

The best way to attract free media attention is to write a press release. This isn’t really all that difficult to do. You’ll just need to find an angle in which to present your story and distribute it to several local media outlets. With any luck, you’ll find a local paper looking for new stories to print and they may include yours.

Finding clients locally doesn’t need to be difficult. It does take a little effort and time, but once you build a local reputation then you’ll just keep attracting the same people to your business over and over again. Better yet, they’ll tell all their friends and family about you and your services.

1. Plan well. This actually is the crux of everything. Anticipation is the difference between being able to fill large orders and angry clients who don’t get their product. Looking at the business several months in advance of potential busy periods prepares the business to handle an influx of customers.

2. Consider hiring more support. When things get busy, having a few more people to help with the load will ease your mind. If yours is an online business, put out advertisements on business forums and freelance websites to advertise the need. Talk with other business associates who have used freelancers before to get a lead on where to start.

3. Partner with others to get the job done. Sometimes, we can’t do it all alone. This is especially true if you are marketing a product such as toys or seasonal products. Partner with a wholesale distributor to ensure that you have enough merchandise for the season. If the order is large enough, your distributor may be willing to dropship the items to your clients.

4. Don’t get in over your head. This is important to remember. You may have to deal with the realization that there are more clients out there than you can handle at one time. Some may have to be turned away. With your business doing well, you won’t suffer if you have to stop taking orders because of logistical issues. Which is worse: turning away clients you can’t handle or accepting clients whose orders you can’t hope to fill on time? What would the second option say about your business reputation?

5. Keep the lines of communication open with your clients. When business gets hectic, it is quite natural to see only the dollar signs. The business is doing well, yes, but it is all possible because of your clients. Poor customer service has ruined more business relationships. No one wants to be pushed to the back burner when they have concerns. Take the time to address the needs of your customers. If an order will be delayed, communicate that as soon as possible. They understand that you are busy and they will stick with you as long as they are not ignored.

Running a successful business is not easy. It requires dedication, long hours, and a good head on your shoulders. Preparation equals being ready to handle the rush later on.