I have found it is not so much the "call to action" that will bring you more customers, it is how often they see you and your branding/product in their day-to-day lives. You don't always need a "call to action" - it starts to appear too desperate. A good example is a particular "carpet" seller who is always "overstocked" or "closing down". After too many of these "drastically reduced" promotions everyone knows it is a whole lot of the proverbial!

Look at some of the biggest companies and how they market themselves - Coca Cola, McDonalds, etc. They only ever promote what they sell, and very rarely (if ever) reduce prices etc. We just know about them because we always see them - billboards, print, television, radio. So follow their lead.

If your advertising budget is limited, stick to doing regular letterbox drops so that people are regularly reminded about your business - don't constantly bombard them with special offers. Then, every now and then, give them something different that makes them think they need to act now or miss out. They need to feel familiar with your brand to want to use it.

Good luck.

I know that all the advice above is the traditional way to 'sell' your services but I do think we should think outside the box.

I personally HATE calls to action and particularly those that look like a MACK truck.

How about something that they can use like a calendar with a call to your website to get 12 helpful hints for preparing your shoebox for your accountant or some such. Or start thinking about your tax refund now - would an extra $250 dollars in your bank account rather than sitting in the ATO's coffers be useful for you? etc etc etc

Mount the calendar so it can sit on the desk or mount on a magnet so it is front of mind every time they go to the fridge.

Don't discount your services - you are probably operating on a shoestring too.

Find a demographic that you want to target and design your 12 helpful hints around that target.

My son gave me an interesting calendar - it was sheets of paper, sitting into a cd case that flipped out at the back so that it was the base of a display case. You can turn the sheets over and have hint number 2 for February or such - post out a different sheet to different people so they want to get the other month's and maybe have them come by your office, or mail / email you the other sheets??? Etc. Vicki

Try something that you can use to up-sell your services.

"For the month of April I am offering a free bookkeeping audit for all clients."

Draw up a template for the audit (it could be a checklist) so you implement it efficiently. Give them the results, then also have the opportunity to say "look you are doing this really well, but your xxx could really improve with this service I provide".

A referral offer is a good one as well do generate new leads from existing clients. A bottle of wine or discount on next service.

I am actually about to do a call to action myself. My thoughts are as above. Package deal, discount, possibly-a contest. Good luck x Julie Nelson

Offers are great.

Discounts! Time limited! E.g. "10% off -March ONLY! Call today to find out how I can make YOUR life easier."

Also: consider putting together a service package with a flat fee. For only $250 you will get this, this *and* this. It's easy for them, uncomplicated for you (as long as you offer the right sort of services). People love that.

Good luck with your next promotion!

I highly recommend Ian Harris at B&I Lockwood Accountants

03 9804 3657 or iharris at bila.com.au

http://www.bilockwoodaccountants.webs.com/ or on Twitter @ianrharris

He has a high interest in ecommerce (and runs an ecommerce group for clients). He's also heavily interested in the business model canvas and working out how businesses can find what works and what doesn't.

Hi Katy, not sure if they have experience in online businesses but a great mid-tier firm who will look after you is Lawler Draper Dillon http://www.draperdillon.com.au/.

If you ask for Sean Dillon (tell him I sent you) I'm sure he'll point you in the right direction!

Good luck :)

Try Sharni, she is an expert on trust, business and investment property accounting - I still travel to Melb to see her from Syd.

Sharni Clark, CPA
Accomplished Accounting Services
Rear Office, 9 Old Lilydale Road
Ringwood East VIC 3135
P: 03 9879 1788
F: 03 9870 9234
E: sharni@accomplished.net.au
W: www.accomplished.et.au

I used the baby bonus as a supplement to my husband's income, and after a few months I launched my business. I had a few existing clients from freelance work I had done in the past, and used the last few weeks of my pregnancy for business planning and website development. Being a young business money was still a little tight, and because of the recession and an unusually long period of rainfall in my region (4 months of almost constant rain), my husband spent a lot of time off work in that first year (he works in construction). We were lucky enough to have a little help from my parents and we also partially lived off our credit card. While I do not usually recommend going into debt, I considered it an investment of sorts. "Buying" time with my young daughter I was able to focus on her needs, emotional security and development in those early months and as a result we have a fantastic bond.

Elisa I think this is an important question, and one that not many mothers seem to speak openly about. We also had a mortgage (still do!) and somehow we have muddled through. I currently juggle part-time work with raising my 18mo daughter and successfully growing my business.

My husband is just about to finish up a 6 month contract and has also just started a Lawnmowing and Garden Maintenance side-business to provide some extra income (especially between contracts). We both aim to grow our businesses to full-time operation. It's a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice but we do our best to maintain a balance of work, family and leisure time. I think the challenges make the rewards even sweeter!

Accept that you may go backwards (financially) for a while. Try to save a nest egg while you are still working so the impact isn't as hard, but remember that those first few years of lower income are well worth it!

After the birth of my son, it was really hard for us to a point of no income. Having a full time work to working full time as a parent is very different.

However, I enjoyed time with my son and wanted to work from home so I started my business which allowed me to work at home. It took us awhile to get it all organised and it is worth it.

It's all about planning and prioritising for parental leave. You have to make sacrifices but it comes with a dose of reality. For those interested - Emberin has a fantastic mentoring parental leave kit for those who need help!

"My CEO has been telling people.." ?? What is that???

Dear anon... the crux of the matter is what YOU are telling YOURself.. Google. google. google. I sense panic. Find what you are standing for, what you are doing, and why.. and then work out what exactly you want..ask yourself really great questions - 'what is the best outcome for me in this situation', is a great start. The answer will steer you to the best outcome for your work.

Have faith in yourself.. Three people at least here already believe in you...

If the meltdown was because of personal issues but they surfaced at work then let your CEO know that you need a week "sick leave" and go and see a counsellor to help you work through it. If it is a work related issue, you made need a mediator and also consult a lawyer.

All the best Anon.

Anon I feel terrible for you.

Haven't got any recommendations for services in Adelaide but hopefully someone in the community can help you out.

Kirsty,

If you are looking for affiliates for physical products that your company sells in Australia then your best bet is one of the large networks, such as clixgalore or commissionmonster. In house means you have to find affiliates yourself and the larger ones aren't interested in inhouse schemes, as their overhead and risk are much higher. If its an informational product then e-junkie or clickbank may be attractive to you.

Hope it helps :) Lea

Hi Kirsty, will be interested to hear from others who've done this.

I've set up an affiliate program for information products using e-Junkie.com but not sure this would be suitable for you.