Whether you’re just starting out or just ready to elevate your business, getting your name out there is key. But how do you “get your name out there”? There are so many ways to do it that making a decision can bring on anxiety, cold sweats or dizzy spells! Yikes!

Over the course of the next few posts, we’ll be bringing you some ideas on how to promote your business, minus the headache and confusion.

First up….COMPETING.

Having a competitive spirit is almost essential in business. But does your company seek out competitions or awards that highlight how great you are at your craft?

Later today, Dellanee and I will be turning in our entries to the American Advertising Awards. We knew when we started the Maltshop that we wanted to enter our work and try to win an ADDY locally (but hopefully go on to district and national). Let’s all cross our fingers that we secure a win! (You should totally come to the awards! They’re super fun. They’ll be at Artspace on Feb. 29th. Tickets aren’t online yet, though. Dellanee won two years ago as a student and brought home the “Student Best of Show.” She’s awesome! ) Dellanee has also searched out the deadlines for a competition called “Creative Quarterly.” It’s a design competition where we can highlight her fantastic designs at multiple times throughout the year. We’ll be submitting to those, too.

But why should you enter these competitions? After all, most of the time, it’s a lot of work.

Aside from bragging rights and a sweet trophy if you win, entering competitions gives you an idea of how or where you can improve. Maybe you thought you were the best ice cream maker in the world, but man, were you wrong! Competing let’s you see what else your competitors are working on, learn more about different processes and helps you hone your craft.

But if you win…now that’s a perfect opportunity to brag, brag, brag and get business in the process. After all, who doesn’t want to do business with the BEST?! After you receive an award, send a press release to local media, and if there are print publications that specifically cater to your field, include them in your media list. Add your award to your website and social media. And if you have current ad campaigns running, modify them to add the award verbiage or logo. Consider adding that same verbiage or logo to your business cards and getting those reprinted. Get as much run-time out of that award as you can!

Not sure if there’s a competition for your industry? A quick Google search should tell you. If not, well we’ll give you some other ways to “get your name out there” that may be more fitting in one of our next posts.

(Also, there is totally an international ice cream competition because we looked it up! It’s put on by the International Dairy Foods Association. You’ve got to go read this list of winners and flavors! It sounds yum-mazing!

Can’t wait for the next post?
Luckily your friends at the Maltshop can serve up some ways to market your biz right now! Let us help you market your business. Call us here in Shreveport at 318-202-2142 or go to our Contact Us page to find out how we can help you today!