So you have decided to start your own business in the hospitality industry. Congratulations…now it is time to promote yourself (note: these tips will also work for improving results in your current position).

One of the first priorities is to focus on lead generation and converting more of these leads into new customers. It is important to implement a successful marketing plan and there are lots of strategies that work. Many people are confused about where they should start and how they should maintain a successful marketing program. The following are 9 suggestions that you can implement immediately.

Marketing Tactic 1: Tell your Family and Friends
Get the word out to the most receptive audience first…those that know and care about you. They are already motivated to help you…you just need to ask.

Marketing Tactic 2: Share your Connections
One of the fastest ways to gain favor with prospective clients is to connect people to others who can help them. If you do this, it benefits three people: First it benefits the two people you are bringing together and then it benefits you. If you selflessly share your connections with others, you will reap the rewards as both people will be appreciative.

Marketing Tactic 3: Ask for Connections
Now that you have provided them with contacts that could help them, you need to ask them for connections that could help you. I believe you need to be specific about who they know that you would like to meet. The more specific you are, the better your results will be.

Marketing Tactic 4: Partner with Others in Your Industry
Your industry partners (AV, DMC’s, CVB’s Hotels, etc.) need to establish relationships with their clients just like you do. It makes good sense to develop relationships with these professionals. You can add value to the relationship your industry partner has with his clients and he can add value to your client relationships. Adding value is a good marketing strategy.

Marketing Tactic 5: Email Weekly
Each week pick your best blog article and email it to the people in your contact database. This will help you develop a deeper relationship with them. And no, weekly email in not too frequent. Communication becomes annoying when it is not interesting and engaging. As long as your content is good, you will be successful with weekly email. That is one of the secrets to marketing. Good content is always appreciated no matter how frequently it is delivered.

Marketing Tactic 6: Print and Mail a Newsletter Monthly
Regular mail still works…do not abandon it. People pay more attention now to regular mail than they do to email. Compile your best few articles from your blog, put them in a newsletter format, and mail them out. You will capture a portion of your audience that typically does not read blogs or email. This is a classic marketing method that never goes out of style…because it works!

Marketing Tactic 7: Take on a Leadership Role in Your Industry or Community
People want to be led…they like leaders. Step up and take a leadership role in your industry or your community. It will show that you are responsible and reliable. It will help inspire confidence in your prospective clients. You can’t just sit back and wait to be successful. You must earn your success. Your leadership skills and your marketing will help you.

Marketing Tactic 8: Blog Weekly
Writing an article each week is a great way to develop a relationship with your prospective clients. If you can’t get to it weekly, twice a month will work. Marketing means building relationships. People who read your blog want to have a relationship with you. These are terrific potential clients.

Marketing Tactic 9: Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up
This is the cardinal rule of marketing. You must follow up with everyone, constantly. People need to hear your message a minimum of seven times before it begins to sink in. Follow up early and often and you will be successful.

Your new business will get off the ground if you get the word out and marketing is one of the keys to your success. However, marketing is only effective when you take action. These 9 tactics will help you begin to grow your business. The next step is up to you.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like “Marketing Tactics to Promote Your New Hospitality Business Today”.