Here are the Top 10 Tips I give small business owners and
entrepreneurs on a daily basis when I see them out at
networking functions. These 10 things will be the least
expensive and probably the most effective forms of
marketing that you could do to promote your business.
1. Display your cards at coffee shops, book stores,
businesses of people you know, membership stores like
Costco and Sam's Club; all of these are free.
2. Hold an Open House, Ribbon Cutting or some kind of an
event to attract the public or your specific target market
to your business (It's important to plan well and publicize
the event with releases, invitations, entertainment,
promotional items, giveaways, etc.). Coordinate this with
your local chamber of commerce so they publicize it to
their membership as well.
3. Put your sales message and/or logo on everything, your
car, shirts, nametag, building, invoices, envelopes, sales
flyers, receipts, tags, etc.
4. Invite trade for services for things you may need
(bookkeeping help, CPA, financial or attorney advice,
marketing, advertising, promotions, signs, promo items,
printing, products, services, etc.). This will save you
money and give you other avenues to pursue for referrals as
well.
5. Go in with other small businesses that compliment your
business on advertising, chamber inserts in the newsletter,
inserts in the local papers, direct mail pieces, door to
door flyers, etc. (i.e.; housekeeping business and carpet
cleaning business).
6. Make sure you are listed on all local area or national
website directories necessary that will target your message
for you. Do the free ones for sure, but evaluate them if
they charge a fee. Do the fee ones if they are high up on
search engines, if they can produce results that they
promote their site and if their site is user friendly.
7. Include links to other people's websites on yours and
ask to do the same for added exposure. Have an "I
recommend these businesses" page.
8. Networking is the cheapest form of advertising you can
do - find organizations, associations, chambers, groups and
monthly meetings that include your best target for business
and visit them first, then join if you see the value. Some
you don't have to join just keep paying the entry fee and
no pressure to join but same benefits, not always the case.
9. Follow up, Follow up, Follow up with everyone you meet
and ask them what their business is all about and how could
you work together to promote each other?
10. Never base your advertising decisions on what YOU do,
take yourself out of the picture and think like your
customer and what they would generally do.
Well, hopefully you are doing everything on that list
already in your business, but if not I'm sure I've only
reminded you of what you already know to do. NOW DO IT!
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© Copyright 2008 K.Sawa Marketing. Katrina Sawa is an
Award-Winning Relationship Marketing Coach who's helped
hundreds of small business owners take dramatic steps in
their businesses to get them to the next level in business,
revenues and life. She offers one-on-one coaching, group
coaching and do-it-yourself marketing planning products. Go
online now to get started with her Free Report and Free
Audio at http://www.jumpstartyourmarketing.com !
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