I kind of hate myself for deciding to keep this trend going. In celebration of my 100th newsletter, I wrote a blog post about 100 tips for creative business owners.

Writing that post was so much fun, but I thought surely I wouldn’t be able to top it…

Until I realized that, actually, I could definitely share 200 ways to grow your business.

So, we’re doing it:

I don’t wanna hear ANYYY excuses from you after reading this post — you officially have two hundred ideas for growing your brand online.

Anyone who’s hired me as a marketing mentor knows I’ll keep on your ass to make sure you’re marketing yourself effectively and efficiently. Because we all know marketing doesn’t stop when we’re booked and busy.

Between the advice I give to my mentees and what I’ve actually tried for myself, here are 200 ways to grow your business.

Settle in, because this is a long one.

Marketing Strategies

I’ve done all of these and more to grow my business. Actually, some of these have contributed to my streams of income as a business owner, not just booking more clients.

1. Create a user-friendly website that highlights your services.
2. Start a blog to share industry insights and tips.
3. Leverage social media to reach a broader audience.
4. Run targeted ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
5. Utilize SEO techniques to improve your website’s visibility.
6. Host webinars to showcase your expertise.
7. Offer a free trial or sample of your services.
8. Create engaging video content for YouTube and social media.
9. Use email marketing to nurture leads and maintain customer relationships.
10. Participate in online forums and communities related to your industry.

Networking and Collaboration

Sometimes networking gets pushed to the side when you’re super busy with client work. But then a slow season rolls around, and suddenly you have more time to hang out with other business owners. And that can bring you new clients!

11. Attend industry conferences to network with peers.
12. Join local business groups or chambers of commerce.
13. Collaborate with complementary businesses for joint marketing efforts.
14. Engage in cross-promotions with other brands.
15. Leverage LinkedIn for professional networking.
16. Host networking events to connect with potential clients.
17. Participate in community events to build local connections.
18. Join online communities related to your niche.
19. Offer mentorship to others in your industry.
20. Establish referral partnerships with other professionals.

Customer Engagement

We love an engaged audience. And that all starts with engaging with them first.

21. Create a loyalty program to reward repeat customers.
22. Solicit customer feedback to improve your services.
23. Host Q&A sessions to engage with your audience.
24. Run contests or giveaways to increase brand awareness.
25. Personalize your communication with customers.
26. Send handwritten thank-you notes to clients.
27. Create a customer satisfaction survey to gather insights.
28. Utilize chatbots for instant customer support.
29. Offer exclusive deals to loyal customers.
30. Create a customer community to foster engagement.

Content Creation

Ugh, another tip about creating new content?! You knew it was coming. Content gives your audience something to learn about you and is a non-salesy way to show them your experience. Just do it—I promise it’s worth your time.

31. Develop a podcast to share industry insights.
32. Create an eBook to educate your audience.
33. Write case studies showcasing successful projects.
34. Design infographics to visually share information.
35. Conduct interviews with industry experts for content.
36. Curate content from other sources relevant to your audience.
37. Share behind-the-scenes content to build transparency.
38. Host live streams to interact with your audience in real-time.
39. Offer downloadable resources, such as checklists or templates.
40. Create a FAQ section on your website to address common questions.

Product Development

Even if you offer online services, you can sell products. I have lots of digital products and online trainings in my shop that educate and help my audience.

41. Expand your product/service offerings to attract new customers.
42. Conduct market research to identify customer needs.
43. Test new ideas with pilot programs or beta testing.
44. Gather feedback on existing products to improve them.
45. Stay updated on industry trends to innovate offerings.
46. Consider diversifying your product range to appeal to different segments.
47. Offer customizable options for your products/services.
48. Develop a subscription service for consistent revenue.
49. Introduce seasonal promotions or limited-time offers.
50. Implement a pre-order system for new products.

Sales Techniques

Your offer isn’t gonna sell itself. You gotta have sales techniques to get it into the hands of your customers. Take this workshop I hosted on sales pages and sales email copywriting to sell your stuff.

51. Train your sales team on effective selling techniques.
52. Develop a strong value proposition to communicate benefits.
53. Utilize upselling and cross-selling techniques to increase sales.
54. Create sales funnels to guide customers through the buying process.
55. Offer bundled products/services for better value.
56. Leverage social proof, such as testimonials and reviews.
57. Engage in direct outreach to potential clients.
58. Establish a follow-up strategy for leads.
59. Use CRM software to manage customer relationships.
60. Analyze sales data to identify trends and opportunities.

Brand Development

A strong brand brings in strong clients. You’re automatically weeding out the red flag clients while attracting the people you realllllly want to work with. It’s never a waste of time to develop and clarify your brand.

61. Define your brand identity clearly.
62. Create a memorable logo and branding materials.
63. Establish a consistent brand voice across all platforms.
64. Invest in professional photography for your brand visuals.
65. Craft a compelling brand story that resonates with your audience.
66. Utilize influencer marketing to boost brand visibility.
67. Engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives to enhance brand reputation.
68. Participate in trade shows to showcase your brand.
69. Create branded merchandise to increase visibility.
70. Ensure a consistent customer experience across all touchpoints.

Digital Marketing

Sometimes, the details are what set you apart from a competitor. Analyzing your analytics can give you key insights into what your audience thinks of your business.

71. Optimize your website for mobile users.
72. Utilize remarketing strategies to re-engage visitors.
73. Create an engaging newsletter to keep customers informed.
74. Use analytics tools to track website performance.
75. Experiment with different content formats (blogs, videos, podcasts).
76. Leverage user-generated content to build trust.
77. Invest in pay-per-click advertising for quick visibility.
78. Run A/B tests on marketing campaigns to find what works.
79. Utilize local SEO techniques to attract nearby customers.
80. Create a resource library on your website for visitors.

Financial Management

Ew, boring, I know. Finances are obviously a huge part of running a business. Use this time to get your finances in order—you might have more money to pay yourself than you think!

81. Keep detailed financial records to track expenses and revenues.
82. Set a budget for marketing expenses and stick to it.
83. Explore funding options like grants or investors.
84. Regularly review pricing strategies to ensure competitiveness.
85. Implement cost-saving measures without compromising quality.
86. Consider outsourcing non-core tasks to reduce overhead.
87. Monitor cash flow regularly to avoid shortfalls.
88. Invest in financial management software for better insights.
89. Diversify revenue streams to reduce risk.
90. Consider creating digital products for passive income.

Technology and Innovation

There always seems to be a new tool people are using. And while I definitely don’t think you need to hop on trends, you could explore some new tools to see if there are areas of your business you could systemize and automate to increase your productivity.

91. Implement new technologies to streamline operations.
92. Use project management tools to improve organization.
93. Invest in cybersecurity measures to protect data.
94. Adopt cloud computing solutions for flexibility.
95. Use data analytics to drive decisions.
96. Incorporate AI tools for improved customer service.
97. Automate repetitive tasks to save time.
98. Explore e-commerce platforms for online sales.
99. Develop a mobile app to enhance customer experience.
100. Stay updated on tech trends in your industry.

Community Building

Business is all about building a community of people who support your business, whether that means commenting on every single Instagram post, sending you an encouraging message, or actually booking your services. I love the online and in-person communities I’ve built—it makes business more fun!

101. Engage with local communities to build brand awareness.
102. Sponsor local events to increase visibility.
103. Create online forums for customers to connect.
104. Host workshops or classes to share your expertise.
105. Establish partnerships with local charities for goodwill.
106. Organize community clean-up days to give back.
107. Participate in local fairs or markets to promote your business.
108. Create a referral program for local businesses.
109. Host open houses or events to meet customers face-to-face.
110. Encourage customer involvement in community projects.

Personal Development

Developing your skills as a business owner makes you more valuable as a service provider. Maybe you take an SEO course (code BTL for $50 off) and start offering that as a service. Or maybe you learn how to speak more confidently so you book more clients in your discovery calls. I honestly think personal development is one of the best ways to grow your business.

111. Invest in your personal growth through courses and workshops.
112. Develop leadership skills to better manage your team.
113. Join a mastermind group for accountability and support.
114. Read books on entrepreneurship for inspiration.
115. Seek mentorship from experienced professionals.
116. Attend personal development retreats for fresh perspectives.
117. Practice public speaking to enhance communication skills.
118. Learn a new skill that complements your business.
119. Participate in online courses to broaden your knowledge.
120. Focus on emotional intelligence to improve team dynamics.

Customer Retention

What if we kept our current clients instead of constantly chasing new ones? That sounds pretty good to me.

121. Create a follow-up system to engage customers after a purchase.
122. Offer personalized recommendations based on past purchases.
123. Regularly communicate with customers through newsletters.
124. Address customer complaints promptly and effectively.
125. Host appreciation events for loyal customers.
126. Provide exceptional customer service at every touchpoint.
127. Implement a customer referral program to reward advocacy.
128. Create valuable content that addresses customer pain points.
129. Send reminders for re-purchase when applicable.
130. Use loyalty points systems to incentivize repeat business.

Strategic Planning

It doesn’t have to be January 1 to make goals and plan out your business for the next month, quarter, or year. You can do these anytime!

131. Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
132. Regularly review and adjust your business plan.
133. Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses.
134. Create a clear roadmap for growth.
135. Engage employees in strategic planning for better buy-in.
136. Analyze competitor strategies to identify opportunities.
137. Prioritize tasks based on impact on business goals.
138. Implement quarterly reviews to track progress.
139. Stay flexible and adaptable to market changes.
140. Consider the long-term impact of business decisions.

Feedback and Improvement

The best way to improve is to ask for feedback. You can learn so much about your client’s experience by asking them about it. Then improve on the recommendations they make, especially if it’s a recurring theme across multiple clients.

141. Create a culture of feedback within your team.
142. Solicit feedback from customers regularly.
143. Use feedback to continuously improve products/services.
144. Encourage open communication among team members.
145. Conduct regular performance reviews for staff.
146. Implement changes based on employee suggestions.
147. Celebrate and reward innovation within your team.
148. Keep a feedback log to track recurring themes.
149. Follow up on feedback to show you value opinions.
150. Make adjustments based on market trends.

Scaling Your Business

You don’t have to be a one-woman show. You could look into scaling and expanding your business in lots of ways.

151. Consider franchising your business model.
152. Explore new markets for expansion.
153. Invest in technology to streamline operations.
154. Hire a team to delegate tasks.
155. Utilize outsourcing for non-core functions.
156. Develop scalable processes for growth.
157. Consider mergers or acquisitions to expand reach.
158. Create strategic alliances to leverage resources.
159. Stay aware of industry trends for future opportunities.
160. Analyze and optimize operational efficiency.

Brand Advocacy

A new lead always means so much more when it comes from someone else. Word of mouth is such a powerful way to grow your business. These brand advocacy tips can help you get more referrals!

161. Encourage satisfied customers to share their experiences.
162. Feature customer stories in your marketing.
163. Use testimonials and case studies to build credibility.
164. Engage with followers on social media to build rapport.
165. Incorporate user-generated content into your strategy.
166. Recognize and celebrate brand advocates publicly.
167. Provide excellent customer service to turn customers into advocates.
168. Offer incentives for referrals to encourage word-of-mouth.
169. Engage in active listening to understand customer needs.
170. Foster a sense of community around your brand.

Innovative Approaches

Let’s get creative with how we grow our businesses. These are some fun ways that engage your audience, build your community, and increase your sales.

171. Experiment with unconventional marketing tactics.
172. Utilize gamification in your marketing strategy.
173. Host an annual conference or summit for your audience.
174. Create a unique value proposition that sets you apart.
175. Explore new platforms for reaching your audience.
176. Integrate storytelling into your branding.
177. Consider subscription models for recurring revenue.
178. Implement virtual reality or augmented reality experiences.
179. Stay informed about technological advancements in your field.
180. Encourage a culture of creativity within your organization.

Sustainability and Ethics

I personally tend to work with people who align with my values and beliefs. Making yours known to your audience can help you grow your business.

181. Adopt sustainable practices in your operations.
182. Engage in ethical sourcing for your products.
183. Communicate your sustainability efforts to customers.
184. Participate in environmentally friendly initiatives.
185. Encourage employee involvement in CSR activities.
186. Educate customers on sustainability issues.
187. Develop a sustainability plan for long-term impact.
188. Measure and report your environmental impact.
189. Collaborate with other businesses on sustainability projects.
190. Align your business goals with social responsibility.

Final Reflections

Reflecting on past wins and lessons learned can give you insight into how to improve going forward. Spend time each month, quarter, or year going over everything that happened in your business and how you felt about it.

191. Regularly evaluate your business performance.
192. Reflect on past challenges and successes.
193. Identify key learning experiences from failures.
194. Stay open to new ideas and perspectives.
195. Encourage a growth mindset within your team.
196. Document lessons learned for future reference.
197. Celebrate milestones and achievements.
198. Plan for future challenges and opportunities.
199. Remain adaptable to market changes.
200. Stay committed to your vision and mission.

Which One Are Ya Trying First?

No more excuses! You now have 200 ways to grow your business.

​Side note for my copywriters in the room… This is the kind of thing we talk a lot about in Success Story, my group mentorship program made specifically for copywriters. 

If you want to learn how to grow a successful, sustainable copywriting business that feels easy to manage, I’d love for you to join us!