Marketing Techniques for Investigation Companies
Your investigation company might offer exceptional service, but nobody will know it unless you advertise it. Before building websites or writing blogs, first discern your investigative niche. For example, if your company specializes in teen investigations, you might want to market to local family groups and online parenting magazines. If it specializes in legal investigations, you may want to market to law firms. There are free and fee-based marketing opportunities for investigation companies.
Other People Are Reading
-
Website
-
If you already have a website, keep it updated with fresh material, such as news items or investigative tips. Website crawlers love new content: Detecting updated material on your site helps boosts its ranking, which in turn draws potential clients. If you don't have a website, there are free services to help you develop one, such as Freewebsites.com and Webs.com. Also consider hiring a website designer who can help you fulfill your business vision.
Blog
-
A blog can help you advertise your services and techniques by letting prospective clients see you "in action." For example, write about a recent case your investigations company recently solved, or a new investigative technique your company practices. Also, highlight your employees' accomplishments and milestones. You can build a free blog through sites such as Blogger and WordPress, which also offer tips for creating a blog, templates, marketing ideas and online help resources.
-
Social Media
-
It's free to sign up on social media networking sites such as Twitter, Myspace and LinkedIn. Post links about your investigative services, and include links to your company website and blog. Keep in mind that social media isn't just about marketing but also sharing. Offer investigative tips, insights or refer readers to articles of interest. Social media also provides opportunities to network with other investigation companies, who in turn might recommend your company to others.
Cold Calls
-
In this electronic age, there's still value in reaching out and meeting potential customers in person. Sometimes referred to as "cold calls," these meetings can forge future business relationships. For example, if your marketing niche is law firms, plan a day when you visit a predetermined set of firms. Dress professionally, be prepared to pitch your company services in a minute or less, and carry business cards, introductory letters or other marketing materials to leave behind.
Speaking Engagements
-
Another free marketing technique is to volunteer to speak to organizations on topics relevant to their needs or interests, as well as to your investigations company. For example, if your investigations company specializes in teen investigations, contact local parenting groups and offer to speak about safeguarding teens from negative influences or how to safeguard teens' computers from online predators. At these speaking engagements, provide flyers that outline your investigation services and hand out business cards.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Darrin Klimek/Digital Vision/Getty Images
