Ideas for Marketing my OHS business

[Phantom458]

Hi Everyone

I am an OHS (Occupational Health and Safety consultant) and have been in business about 2.5 years although I have had the business for over 10 years.

My aim with our business is to reduce workplace injuries and OHS is one of those things that every business owner knows they should have, but it is last on the list of to do's until of course, someone gets hurt. Everyone thinks that it wont happen to them.

I have developed my own OHS System that is simple to use and is designed for small businesses in all industries. The system is individualised to suit the client. Once the system is implemented then all it takes is for one person to monitor it on a regular basis and that is pretty much it.

My business has pretty much worked by word of mouth however apart from annual inspections, I would like to get more business.

I would appreciate any suggestions - I have a number of small packages I hand to businesses and have tried emails however I am finding it difficult.

I would be happy to chat with someone who does marketing and advertising as I really want to expand.

Thanks for taking the time to read my thread.

Donna

[MarketingHQ]

Hi Donna,

I'd be happy to have a chat. My number and email is in my signature.

I guess the challenge would be to get a better idea of your target market, their needs and what triggers them to need a service such as yours. Then it is about developing some ideas to get your business in front of them.

Again, feel free to call me. No obligation.

Chris

[Accounts Studio]

I am sure there are a lot of businesses who don't comply and have no idea how to - one angle I am sure would work would be to make them realise what could happen if they don't have OHS systems in place - what could it potentially cost them in fines, being sued, not being eligible for workers comp for injured staff etc. Then let them know how easily they can fix it with your kit.
I have some clients who might be interested in your kit - can you PM me your website / email details?
Thx

[Vossy]

Hi Donna

There are a number of issues to this one:

• Small business owners are busy (as we know)
• They focus on their area of expertise and not on the Important / Not Urgent issues.
• They are probably unaware of the issue or not motivated enough to solve it.

There appear to be a couple of ways forward.

• One is as Chris noted is to understand what triggers some awareness and be around when that happens. For example I'll bet many people have had a look at their home insurance to see if they are covered for floods and what type of floods given the recent unfortunate events. So in the small business space it is likely that there would not be a search until there was a trigger event. Then you need to be around on the web to be found when that happens.
• Get in front of them when they are in a learning mode - seminars or breakfast meetings of small business groups - your topic would make an interesting presentation.
• Get someone else to cover it - for example give the Kit to local accountants for their own OHS and ask them to cover the issue with their clients.

That's all I can think of for the mo!

[The Safety Company]

I am a fellow safety consultant, so not really qualified to give marketing advice, but my approach is to focus on the business benefits for the client in terms of the financial and legal aspects.

Generally safety consultancies advertise their services in terms of inspections, audits, training etc, but many businesses with limited OHS awareness don't know why they need these services, and what the benefits are for their business. However, all businesses want to reduce costs so I focus on how good OHS really is good business and can reduce costs. I then show how cost reduction strategies can lead to improved legal compliance, and less risk of prosecution and common law action.

The strategies I use include print media, networking (particularly with complimentary consultancies such as environmental and business consultants, and safety specialists), on line forums, mail-outs and attending seminars. I’ve also started dabbling with a web-site and adwords.

I hope this helps. Happy to discuss further if it does.

Paul
The Safety Company Pty Ltd
Protecting People, Protecting Business

[19606#deleted]

Hi Donna,

I am doing an OHS website (I'm a copywriter) for a client right now and I am STUNNED at how many great keyword opportunities your industry has. There's a huge potential market.....

I have changed tactics with my client (who would not be a direct competitor to you as they specialise in mining industry) and we're going on a keyword mad grab. I would suggest you do the same. His site was going to be a little brochure site until we saw just how many opportunities were available - it's becoming an information hub instead now!

There are literally dozens of AWESOME keyword opportunities - the very best online marketing tool for you is an information based blog (18000 people want to know which act they need to refer to every month and there's only 12% competition for the keywords - hundreds of thousands of searches for variations on OH&S are being catered for by a handful of businesses!) where you choose one keyword (and you are totally spoiled for choice) per blog article and optimise each to that keyword.

Have a resources page on your main site linking to each of the blogs using the keywords and have teh blog installed as part of your main page (not a .blogger or .wordpress one) and you won't need marketing, you'll need to focus on writing a lot of expert keyword rich articles (free to do) and you'll end up in slot 1 on google for every single high demand keyword.

Not sure how much you know about onpage optimisation but I can send you a "no brainer" template if you like (but don't pass it around, it's my contract writers' cheat sheet!)

Seriously, if I had money to buy a business, I would buy OH&S - so much potential market.....

If you want the template (and have someone who can build that blog in for you - my guy charges about a grand to set it all up but I believe you can get it cheaper) email me at dana@talkaboutcreative.comnospam without the no spam obviously. Hope that helps.