The old saying "it pays to advertise" will always be relevant. However, where you advertise is probably even more important. This means determining who your customers are, what they need, and what you can offer. In the high-tech world, many companies spend untold amounts of dollars on magazine advertisements only to find out that the readers aren't particularly interested in their wares. If you're a Microsoft partner, however, you have a means by which you can let potential customers find out about your "solutions" via a simple search. Best of all, it won't cost you a dime.

Micrsoft Solution Profiler Micrsoft Solution Finder Microsoft PMC

What Is a "Solution"?
A solution is a customer offering that solves a particular need. It can be a hardware offering, hosting service, Microsoft volume licensing package, service offering, software delivered as an online service, software offering, or training resource. In each of these categories, Microsoft partners who choose to take advantage of the Solution Profiler have an opportunity to tout their companies' strengths, letting customers know what differentiates them from the pack.

What Is the Microsoft Solution Profiler?
Solution Profiler is an online service that gives you exposure to customers. Whether you're selling a service, like IT, or need custom development solutions, the Solution Profiler service can expose you to potential customers. Go to www.solutionprofiler.com to get started. The site will provide guidance on how to use the tool and tips on how to write the best profile for your application. Plus, if you have built a 2007 Office system solution, it will help you feature your solution in Office Business Application (OBA) Central and SolutionsConnect.

Since January 2007, 500,000 U.S.-based customers have visited Solution Finder. Via this interface, customers can find Solution Partners that suit their needs. In fact, using the Solution Finder, users are connecting with Partners 70,000 times. Every day, 1,000 U.S.-based companies visit the site. Fifteen percent contact a partner, which amounts to 150 referrals per day.

The first step in taking advantage of this service is to become a Microsoft partner. Enrollment is easy. Simply go to https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40032508 and spend around 15 minutes letting Microsoft know who you are, what you do, and how you are involved with their products. Once you're a partner, you're ready to move on to creating a description of your business' products and services within the Profiler.

Steps Toward Success
After becoming a Microsoft Partner, there are a few more steps that you must take before becoming part of the Solution Profiler program. These include:

Being active in the Microsoft Partner Program

• Log into Partner Member Center (PMC) at https://partner.microsoft.com.
• Your current level and expiration date will show at the top right side.
• If your membership has expired, you will have a grace period of 30 days.
• To re-enroll, go to Membership Status on the menu at the top of the page, where you will see the re-enroll option. You will also get a message under the messages section about re-enrolling.

Opting into Microsoft directories

• Log into Partner Membership Center (PMC).
• Go to Organization Information on the menu at the top of the page and choose Manage Organization Profile.
• Scroll down to Your Organization Description Section and check the option "Yes, please list my organization in Microsoft Partner directories."
• Click the Update button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.

  Now, you're ready to create your profile