I've been a freelancer for years but am just starting up a web design agency, and therefore targeting a different, more specific niche in small businesses both locally and online. How can I market my agency to get it going in this new niche, and in the sense of the bigger entity as it is? So far, my experience freelancing has only taught me to market myself as a contracted solo worker, meaning I worked with a lot of other agencies as an "outsourcee".

The first step is to make your website portray the brand you hope to become. Then, find some new avenues to acquire customers, such as partnering with some online communuties or websites targeted at small business owners.

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I have strong writing skills, but am not great at public speaking. I want to improve this so I can become a community manager. How can I brush up on my communication skills?

Answered by Amber MacArthur – Entrepreneur and tech journalist. Posted in Lessons Marketing

First of all, I don't believe that great speakers are natural-born speakers. In other words, it's all about speaking A LOT. I've been speaking professionally for five yea... (more)

Hi Gerry. I've been working for a month on new SaaS tool. I intend to get private beta out at the end of the year. I was wondering if its good to start to talk to people al...

Answered by Garry Tan Posted in Management Marketing

End of the year is so far out. Maybe you're trying to do too much? Better to have private users now than hypothetically more later. Always be shipping code. You are late. D... (more)

How did you get the attention you got by launching Graphic.ly? Is launching a 'beta-invite-landing-page' enough to get things going, probably not... right?

Answered by Micah Baldwin – Founder, Graphic.ly Posted in Product Development Marketing

We tried to "burst on the scene" with a mix of invite only, loud chest beating, and working our network of friends and contacts. Mostly, we tried very hard to work with a s... (more)

Is there online resources for me to setup my company, or do I need to work with a startup lawyer?

Answered by Corey Kossack – Partner, Game Change Ventures Posted in Resources

Legalzoom.com is a pretty easy site to use to get you going. (more)

I have a small IT consulting/custom software/web development business and I need help with a marketing plan to get my company's name in front of potential customers (small ...

Answered by April Dunford – Product Marketing Expert. Posted in Marketing

Sometimes I think it makes sense for folks to do the planning themselves and sometimes it makes sense to bring in some outside help - it really depends on how quickly you n... (more)

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