With the current economy, the devil is in the details when it comes to separating your business from the competition. So how do you become the Eddie Van Halen of your local market?
Get ready to turn the amp up to 11, here are three tips that will take your company to the top of the charts.
1) Self-Promotion
Shameless self-promotion is synonymous with being a rock star, but one way to promote your business to industry peers and your local market is showing off your project portfolio.
With the permission of your clients, take photos of your installations and keep an album of your best work. For the best possible representation of your work, make sure you enlist the services of a professional photographer. Upgrading from dark, grainy snapshots to well-lit, well-composed pro images will boost your company’s professionalism in the eyes of potential clients.
Pro-Tip: Take it a step further and market your best projects to the industry. Electronic Lifestyles® magazine is currently asking CEDIA ESC members to submit their home technology projects for a chance to be featured in the Fall 2012 issue of the magazine. For more information, click here. The deadline is April 6, so be sure to send in your submissions soon!
2) Collaboration
Some of the best songs have come out of an ingenious collaboration between two artists. (Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, anyone?) Should it be any different in our industry? No way. Whether you are working with a builder, architect, or interior designer, smart and efficient collaboration can separate a good project from a fantastic one.
Pro-Tip: Looking for a unique way to reach out to different industries? Participate in CEDIA’s Registered Outreach Instructor program and network with future project partners.
CEDIA EXPO 2012 is also offering a new way of interacting with your industry peers with three different opportunities to participate in industry round-table discussions. Find out more on these events here.
3) Win…win…win
To tie along with our first point of “shameless self-promotion,” winning industry awards can add a notch of recognition and respect for your business, not only within the industry, but also to your clients.
Displaying your achievements on brochures and in your show room establishes your company as an innovative, forward-thinking business that is respected and award-winning. Having that “feather in your cap” is definitely a plus.
Pro-Tip: One of the industry’s most respected programs, CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles® Awards competition is tailored to help your company get recognized within and outside the industry as a leader in your field.
Along with exposure opportunities to trade and consumer media outlets, winning these awards gives you the bragging rights everyone wants. The April 6 early bird deadline is coming up so be sure to submit your projects today.
Bonus: Check out these tips to help ensure the best submission possible.
