4 Steps to Take Your Local Business Global

Imagine your business being promoted not only by you and your sales team but by thousands around the world. Can you picture what that would do to your bottom line? With all due respect, can you get outta your own way for a minute and consider the possibilities?

As a business owner or executive, too often we become focused on our local market. We become focused on beating our local competition. We become focused on following up with that local lead. We become focused on trying to motivate our sales team. Don't get me wrong here. Being focused is a great thing. However, let's harness that focus and explode it globally.

You may say, that's great Chris, but what are you talking about. How do I take my local mom & pop business, or my local agency, or my local whatever type business, and expand it worldwide?

Relax. It's not that difficult. Just a few simple steps and we can be receiving inquiries, orders, and sales from sources we didn't even think existed.

Step 1. Expand your thinking.

I know this may sound like another conference room idea, but let's take a look nonetheless. You may be surprised. If your business is not restricted to your local area due to state or federal requirements then listen up. (If your business is restricted to your state or locality, consider whatever it takes to expand it.) With the power of the internet today, and sophisticated technology including web conferencing, skype, facetime, gotomeeting, etc. the next best thing to being there physically is being there virtually. So consider the possibilities with the world wide web and how this can increase your companies revenue.

Step 2. Revamp your marketing plan.

Does your company even have a marketing plan? Does your company have a way to attract new customers online? Does your company have an online marketing funnel? Do you know the acquisition cost for a new customer?

For the most part, most small businesses lack the manpower or resources for an effective global marketing campaign. However, for the frugal or low budget business, with a few simple marketing tools you can increase your sales significantly.

Step 3. Improve your marketing tools.

These tools would include the followiong:

a lead magnet. this is simply an enticing irrestible free offer in exchange for your potential customers email address. After all, the most valuable piece of information online today is the email address. Once the potentital customer has opt-in to your offer and provided their email address, you have that email address forever. Usually this lead magnet can be offered in the form of an E-book, a discount coupon, etc. Just make sure your create some urgency in your offer by including a deadline.

a branded autoresponder. that provides pre-written messages to deliver to the opt-in email address obtained. Your messages are delivered at whatever day and time your determine. These messages can be altered, modified and changed randomly. Just make sure your potential customer is provided useful content or information that is beneficial to them (not spammy)

Video email software. Video messages work great. In today's fast paced world, the average person would much rather watch a video than read an article. If you have gotten this far congratulations. You are not average.

Web conferencing software. Is your team spread over a wide geographical area? Conference calls are great, but webinars with video are better.Step 4. Create an affiliate program.

Step 4. Create an affiliate program.

An affiliate program is nothing more than someone else selling your product and earning a commission. When you take your program globally using the power of viral marketing, with a generous commission to your affiliates, your sales will multiply. Viral marketing is powerful.

Try using these simple tools to expand your local business globally. Your bottom line will thank you.