It’s the most ancient transaction spawning a billion dollar industry with devoted fans from every demographic, every household and every socio economic background. But what do you do when you need your business to remain a secret?
I often talk about the power of talking up your services, letting people know what you do and how enthusiastic you are about it. But what if your business is not backyard BBQ conversation? How do you get referrals then?
Recently a friend of mine came clean and told me she was running a stripping agency. I was amused rather than shocked (I have worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade very few things shock me).
I had previously suggested she should network her business more when we were out and now I realized why she hadn’t taken up my advice. Her dilemma now was how to maximize her business opportunities without sacrificing her identity.
Word of mouth – is the best way to attract new customers. Most of her business already came from referrals – happy clients selling your business for you.
Internet presence – the business has a website and google ads have been the number one source of ‘of-the-street’ business.
But how else to gain more clientele?
Well, firstly I suggested she find ways to make more money from the clients she already had, to create spin off merchandise and/or products to compliment her business.
One she had been overlooking for sometime was recommending strip clubs that bachelor party crowds could go to. She was constantly asked where they could go, which club was good, what time it closed ect.
Why not make a deal with one of these clubs? For every patron you recommend, you get a cut of the door. That way your client feels special because you can call ahead and make sure that they are warmly greeted and the venue benefits from twenty, drunk guys prepared to part with their hard earned cash. A win-win situation, with her pocketing some extra cash for very minimum effort.
Of course the other most obvious spin off is merchandise. A kooky shirt to commemorate the occasion, a key chain, a tie anything that can be sold prior, in bulk.
Another idea was to create your own stripper dollars, non-refundable of course. These dollars would be purchased prior and have a kooky design that could also be used as a commemorative item. The guys tip the girls and also feel as if they are not spending money because it’s ‘stripper dollars’.
You see, whether you have a business fit for BBQ conversation or not, there are many ways to overcome obstacles. If you are selling strippers, adult toys or on the other end of the spectrum home made cookies and organic bread marketing success is all about thinking outside the square.
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