Years ago a company could put an ad in the Yellow Pages, sponsor a local Little League team and watch the business roll in. That’s not the case these days. Today your company needs a developed brand presence, strong website and a strategic community relations program to start making an impact in your marketplace.

Mansfield Plumbing experts offer you these tips on how dealers and distributors can promote their business:

Tip #1 – Network. Divide and conquer by assigning each of your sales team members to a different organization that has potential for bringing in new business and make sure that team members attend meetings regularly. Look at memberships in the local home builders association, chamber of commerce and professional groups to make the most impact on your business.

Tip #2 – Get Connected. Make it a priority for your company to have an active presence on social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Google Plus. Don’t forget to get listed in local business directories, the Yellow Pages and building industry directories.

Tip #3 – Advertise. Get strategic and invest your dollars where they reach your potential customers. Consider vehicle signage, billboards, ads in local home builder and plumber organization publications.

Tip #4 – Direct Mail. Once you join the local home builder or plumber association, see if you can purchase their membership list to do targeted mailings to announce special promotions, sales and installation clinics.

Tip #5 – Donate. Get involved in your community by volunteering time and talent from your team for highly visible local projects. Contribute dead stock items to local projects and link up your customers who are creating Parade of Homes entries with your key vendors for possible product donations.