Free to Promote Your Shop, Social Sites, or Blog; on Networking Saturday 33

At the end of this post you will find a button where you will be able to link all of your social networking, shops, and blogs.  Please scroll all the way down for this great opportunity.  It looks like this:

Many of us work multiple jobs and on top of that have this deep burning desire to be a successful business person and free ourselves from the shackles of  our day jobs.  Unfortunately this means time is one of most treasured commodity.

Image from Flicker by Mike Lutter
https://www.flickr.com/photos/phphoto/3057273753

As most of my readers know I have been promoting and running my little shops for many years and have tried a multitude of marketing efforts.  I have narrowed my online promos to a few very successful (but time consuming) campaigns.  My business is my baby and I love spending time nurturing and growing her.  But in one  moment I realized that I may be really be hurting myself by limiting myself to virtual promotions.

In a recent Flashback Thursday post I blogged about a little local museum, Ruddy's General Store, that I fell in love with.  I asked the docent if it would be alright to take pictures (which she said yes to) and in a few moments after that a revelation hit me.  I had told her it was for my blog post, Flashback Thursday, which sparked a small conversation about what I do.  She asked for my business card.  To make a long story short in that brief time I realized that I have done nothing to make connections with my local community.

I work with people (patients and family) all day long and I think that may be why I love the computer and online life I have developed.  I love to retreat to the sanctity of my own home and work on my shops without having to worry about my body language, my verbal communication, how I dress, etc. But because I so enjoy working in my yoga pants, I have completely ignored the potential customers right outside my door.

There is already that personal connection that I try so hard to develop online, they're already part of my community, and they are easily accessible.   The real issue is how to do it with tact, grace and not physically spamming people and possibly ruining my reputation in my own backyard.  My other challenge is how to balance my Eisenhower Medical image (manager, healthcare professional) and my passion for selling postcards and handmades.  I would never think to mix the two at work but there is nothing wrong with reaching out to the rest of my community in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

My plan is to #1 have beautiful business cards made for all of my shops and blog (notice I don't have my blog on my card I ended up having to write it on the back for the docent.)

#2 locate the several boards and areas around my community that allows businesses to post their information.
#3 research what other local (and more important free or low cost) marketing opportunities that are available.

Since I am just embarking on this adventure my list is a bit short today but I will keep you update on what I find and how I utilize it.  What I would love from my networking friends is any advice from your experiences marketing to your own local communities Or I would love to hear if you are in the same situation.  I love sharing my experiences so that we can all grow our businesses

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Post any of your family friendly sites (blogs, shops, FB, etc.)  What ever sites you would like to share. 

Please help promote this post using your social networks.  Here is an easy one:
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