Marketing Your Small Business Without Breaking the Bank

You’ve taken the plunge and started your own business. How do you let everyone know you exist?

Marketing can be very tricky and stressful if you don’t know what you are doing. If you want to advertise your business and let the world know you have the best product out there, you need to explore the best marketing opportunities without breaking the bank.

Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is the most valuable (and cheapest) forms of advertising for businesses. Getting your name out there by customers is gold to any business. If someone likes your product, then others will follow.

Website

This should go without saying. Every business should have a website-it is essential to being successful.

Socialize

With Twitter and Facebook, you have access to millions of people for free! Start up a blog and use sites like Digg and Stumble to help promote your posts about your business. Make clear you Stumble other blogs also, so you don’t get tagged for spamming.

Samples

Many bloggers these days do product reviews for companies. Usually, they don’t ask for compensation, only to be able to retain the product in exchange for the review. Ask that they only write about the definite side of the product, so it doesn’t backfire on you.

Flyers

In the past, many businesses used direct mail to advertise their product. This is very expensive and really doesn’t get much response. Hanging flyers in grocery stores and laundry mats is an inexpensive way to advertise locally.

Hold a contest

A very profitable way to market your business is to have a give-a-way. You will find a tremendous increase in your website stats during this time. Ask that they sign up for your newsletter or leave their name and email address so you may let them know about upcoming sales.

Volunteer your time

If you just started a service business and do not have samples to give out, offer your services for free. Offer to decorate a charity event if you are a party decorator, or write a couple of free articles for a business if you are a writer.

Don’t forget your regulars

Your repeat customers are the bread and butter of your business. Follow up with a thank-you card and a coupon to use next time they need your services or product. Another great thing to do is send holiday cards or birthday cards to your customers.

Marketing your business doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Make it fun and get excited about it and the customers will start pouring in!

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