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Build Your Image Business Using New Media

By Caterina Rando, MA, MCC

Below are some new media solutions to take advantage of to build your list, drive traffic to your website and attract new clients easily. I have included some brief thoughts on each one and we could fill many pages on each. Use this article as a trigger to get you going to explore more about each of these business-building avenues.

Value-Based Website
To build your business you want to make sure your website is not just an electronic brochure about you and your services. You want to pack the pages with valuable information that people can utilize before they consider working with you. This could include articles, podcasts, video, blog entries, recorded teleclasses, quizzes, assessments, links to resources, free e-books and more.

E-zines
Your electronic newsletter is an opportunity for you to send more value into the email box of everyone on your list. Use it to also share what is new with your business and to make special offers. Make sure that you are consistent in the delivery of your newsletter and that is 90% value and 10% promotion.

Articles
In addition to placing your articles on your website, you also want to identify article libraries and other sites your potential clients visit where your articles can be posted as well. Even on your own site, be sure to include a resource box at the end of each article. A resource box lists your website and mentions a compelling reason why someone would want to visit your site.

Blogs
In place of or in addition to a traditional website, blogs are easy to use, inexpensive, and effective at drawing traffic to your site, which means more attention for your business. To have your blog really work for you be sure your blog matches your brand and conveys professionalism. Promote your blog in ways non-technical people can understand, like postcards, think about what your goals are for blogging and make sure you are fulfilling those goals.

Teleclasses
A teleconference call can be used to introduce yourself and your work to potential clients anywhere in the world. These recordings can them be posted on your website and links sent out to everyone on your list as another way to provide value.

A one session teleclass or a multi-session tele-course, or tele-coaching group can provide significant revenue for your business.

Podcasts
Podcast are audio content you create and post on your site and other sites that people can listen to at their convenience. Audio content is a very powerful tool because it shares your personality and energy with people, in addition to your content. Think of audio content as “anywhere” content. People can burn a CD or download your podcast onto their iPod® or mp3 player and listen to you while they are in their car or on the treadmill. This increases your influence with your potential clients.

Video
Instead of simply sharing the written word, you can also offer video to your blog readers or website visitors. Vlogs, or video blogs, can be used as your main means of communication or as supplements to your text blog or traditional website. You can also post your videos on YouTube® or other video posting sites to introduce yourself to new people and drive more traffic to your website.

Social Media Sites
On sites like LinkedIn or BizNik you can connect with other people around common interest areas and expand your network. Some social media sites are purely for fun and social connecting while others are much more business-focused. Review sites before you join to be sure they are primarily focused on professional connections.

We’ve just covered eight great ways to build your permission based list, build traffic to your website and attract new clients. Pick one that you are not already doing and get started on it today. All these things take a little time in the beginning. Once you figure out these different avenues of new media they will become a regular part of your overall value-based marketing plan.


Caterina Rando, MA, MCC, shows image professionals how to build thriving, profitable and sustainable businesses by establishing themselves as experts in their fields. Caterina is the creator of the Image Business Breakthrough Program. Visit her website at www.imagebusinesscoach.com to download your free copy of her ebook “How to Create An Image Business Breakthrough.” She can be reached at (415) 668-4535 or via email at cat@imagebusinesscoach.com.