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Today, most small businesses have moved their operations online. The reasons for this are simple - lower installation cost(i.e. less to lose), shorter setup time, the possibility of reaching a global clientele... what more could one want? Today, most people who operate solely online choose to market services rather than goods. This has the advantage of less financial investment, as the services rendered require only the time of the businessperson and a few resources, which are rather cheaper than the cost of raw materials. The key to marketing services, however, lies in showing rather than telling. After all, if you came across a writer's website with sloppy writing, would you ever hire that writer? A graphics designer, similarly, would be expected to have a brilliantly designed page. Also, Internet marketing requires businessmen to use the latest in social media to their advantage. Services like Facebook, Twitter and the new Google Buzz can be very useful in helping people find contacts, colleagues and clients. However, it is absolutely imperative to appear helpful rather than spamming one's followers with meaningless updates on the business. The key to successfully using social media lies in reading your clients' minds. From your point of view, you will want to inform people about all the updates in your business and your progress. However, your clients will be much happier to know about your expertise in your chosen field. Posting regular tips and hints, occasionally handing out freebies, and counseling beginners or amateurs in your field will serve your interests very well. One of the best ways to have an online portfolio as well as a page that is updated regularly is to have a blog. For writers and coders as well as designers, this portfolio-cum-updates page is extremely useful. Guest posts can also offer better value to your readers, and you can offer/ask to do guest posts on other well-known blogs to get yourself some good traffic. As an online business, you will also need to make an effort to connect with your prospective clients. Occasionally, put up updates that are connected to your personal or offline life rather than sticking dumbly to your business life. If you had an epiphany while out on the street, talk about the experience of being on the street. If music inspires you, do not hesitate to put up the song that inspired your latest creation. Lastly, do not feel the need to be mechanical. You may use multiple machines to work, but you are not a machine yourself. Take Sundays off, firmly tell clients your limits, and make sure that you can put in a sustained effort rather than burning out before creating anything substantial. By working at your own pace, you will be doing the best thing for your online service business.
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