10 Low Cost Ways To Market A Small Business
By Akhil Shahani
At the time of starting out, you have limited resources to
market a small business and its services. You certainly do
not have an unlimited budget for advertising. So what is it
that you, as a small business owner, can do? How can you get
the word out about your services? The answer is simple - think
word-of-mouth and networking. When you wish to market a small
business, remember that nothing works better than spreading
the message through an established network. We've put together
a list of 10 easy ways to advertise your business at a really
low cost!
1. Talk to your friends and relatives about your business.
Enlist their help in getting the word out about it. Send a
postcard to every single person you know announcing your new
business venture. Although they themselves may not need your
products, they are likely to tell someone who does.
2. Join organizations or clubs relevant to your line of work.
Join your local Chamber of Commerce, business association
and any type of organization that reaches your target market.
Offer your services for free at any events conducted by these
organizations. You and your business will surely get noticed.
3. Offer your service or product for sale at charity events
and donate half the proceeds to the cause.
4. Ask for referrals from happy customers. Provide an incentive,
like a 10% discount or a freebie, for referrals.
5. Write articles for web sites. Don't peddle your product
or service in the article, but write knowledgeably about your
area of expertise. Remember, the content is the king here.
Also include a short bio with your name, your business' name
and a tag line at the end of the article.
6. Take part in chats and visit message boards on the Internet.
Make friends in cyberspace. Once again, don't push your product
or service mercilessly. Go out of your way to help people
and answer their questions. In return, you will soon be asked
what type of work you do.
7. Have you not seen signatures in emails that say what a
person does? Do the same. Use signature files at the end of
all your e-mails. Keep them short but precise.
8. There are many Internet sites that offer free classified
advertising space. Use them to post your ads.
9. Sending out a press release is a great way to market a
small business. Do the same when you add a new service or
product, or if your business is involved in a special event.
Don't just talk about how great your business is; say how
it can be beneficial to a potential customer.
10. Ask your friends with websites to provide a referral
for your business as a favor. Once your business grows, you
may be able to return it in double measure.
You may not have the budget to create an advertising blitzkrieg
for your business, but creatively using the resources that
are available to you will allow you to start building a client
base for your new venture. The biggest hurdle is getting the
first few customers through the door, but once they are in,
you are well on your way to success! That is why entrepreneurs
must know how to market a small business well.
Hi, I'm Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to
help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out http://www.SmartEntrepreneur.net
- It's full of articles and resources to help you start and
grow your business successfully. Please visit us & download
our special "Freebie of The Month" at http://www.smartentrepreneur.net/freebie-of-the-month.html
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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