The desire to be an entrepreneur is strong these days. I belong to a few entrepreneur groups and nearly every day someone joins introducing themselves to the Facebook group with something along the lines of, “I’m not sure what I want to do but I definitely have an entrepreneurial spirit.” The longing to leave the safety of corporate life is outweighing their decision on what they actually want to do to keep the lights on. The idea of entrepreneurship is being thrown around like the term “Jazzercise” was in the 80s. So much so that it’s lost its meaning… but that’s a post for another time. Before you figure out about how to market to an entrepreneur, you must decide if you want to market to them.
Ways to Market to an Entrepreneur
First, it’s important to understand you might not want entrepreneurs as members. This depends largely on your offerings and what you’re doing with new business and start-up incubators. Entrepreneurs come with their own set of challenges and convincing them to join a traditional business organization might not be an easy sell but if you’ve decided they are your ideal member, the tips below can help.
Reach Them Where They Are
It’s very difficult to be an entrepreneur these days without embracing social media so look for them in groups on the web. In order to be the most efficient in interacting with them, look for local entrepreneurial groups. Join them (most of them are free) and start interacting. Don’t hard sell the chamber. Instead, become a resource and people will begin to listen to what you have to say.
Give Them What They Need
Some entrepreneurs want a social outlet, others are looking for a mentor, while others simply want a space they can use for occasional client meetings. Whatever the entrepreneurs in your area are looking for, see if you’re able to offer it. If so, get the word out.
Provide Learning Opportunities
There are hundreds of membership sites and private Facebook groups that are charging over $50 a month for membership. These successful communities offer videos, human interaction, and feedback 24/7, which is a real bonus for entrepreneurs who may keep non-traditional schedules. If you want to attract the entrepreneur, you’ll want to cultivate similar offerings.
If you’re interested in how to market to an entrepreneur, you may also enjoy this conversation on the Chamber of Commerce Professionals page on Facebook.
