Use Your Website to Attract Clients You Want and to Discourage Those You Don't

Stop receiving time consuming inquires from prospectsyour ideal client. What features such as the number of
who don't fit your business niche and customer ideal.employees and annual sales best describe the clients
Use your website to clearly and completely describeand industries you enjoy working with most and can
your firm's services, markets and desired clients.serve best? Describe the problems they face and the
Be equally clear in your business profile that you postsolutions you provide.o Examples of your professional
on social media sites such as LinkedIn, and in widelyexpertise. Describe and provide testimonials detailing
circulated marketing articles that you generate for siteshow you've helped your clients solve specific
such as EzineArticles, Article Dashboard and Articleproblems.o Frequently asked questions (FAQs). Rather
Base.than responding to the same questions time and time
You can discourage time wasting inquires from "tireagain, create a FAQ page on your site that answers
kickers," bargain hunters and information junkies while --the most commonly asked questions. You also should
at the same time -- attracting and actually pre-sellingprovide a contact form for other questions. Your list of
ideal clients.FAQs and answers could include
The "secret" is in providing clear and specific> What are your professional qualifications?
information in your marketing materials -- particularly> What's your experience in my industry?
your website. Such information should describe and> What kinds of public relations assignments do you
qualify the types of clients you want and disqualifyhandle?
everyone else.> What is your fee schedule?
Your ideal clients should feel comfortable when visiting> How long will it take you to complete my project?
your website. Those who don't feel at home will seekManaging a public relations firm and bringing in new
a PR firm offering a better fit.business is never easy. But in this economy it's
Here's the type of information you should include onespecially difficult. Expanding into new markets and
your website and elsewhere to make doing businessproviding additional services may be necessary.
with you as attractive as possible to your targetedHowever, trying to be all things to all clients and
clients and markets:o A description of your targetattracting unqualified prospects will cost much more
markets. What kinds of companies, organizations orthan you gain.
individuals comprise your target markets? DescribeDetermine who you can best work with, then use your
these markets so people in these markets realizewebsite and other marketing efforts to define your
immediately you're talking to them.o A description ofniche, then focus sharply on your best prospects.