|
Marketing (advertising) is critical when starting a business. Attempt to identify your
prime customer base then decide how to reach them. You can experiment with different tactics to see which work best for you. Some tactics to consider: |
|
| Web Site: | |
|
You should have a website for your business. People today are searching the web; the yellow pages are obsolete. You can obtain website hosting for about $10 per month or less. It's a bargain. Your website should be
optimized for searches. Website design and search engine optimization: Websites205.com. |
|
| Direct Mail: | |
|
Rent a mailing list. You can order specially-targeted mailing lists from a number of conpanies on the web. You should also check local printers. Some can provide a mailing list and send out your mailing using their bulk postage rate. We do not recommend postcards--they tend to have a very low response rate. You might consider including a magnetized calendar (available from VistaPrint) -- people put them on their refrigerators or desks and see it all year long. |
|
| Door Hangars: | |
| Hire some kids (maybe a cub scout pack) and have them go door-to-door and put doorhangars on door knobs. | |
| Yard Signs: | |
| If your business is involved with home improvement, put yard signs in the yard while you're there. | |
| Logo'ed Vehicle : | |
| Put logos on your vehicles. They can be relatively inexpensive magnetized signs, slightly more expensive vinyl lettering, or a more expensive "vehicle wrap". It's a good means of keeping your name in the public eye. You can also park the vehicle in a conspicuous place and leave it there--over a weekend, for example. | |
| Media (Radio, Television, Billboards): | |
|
In my opinion, these forms of advertising are good for building name recognition but may not bring in a lot of business, depending on the type of business you own. Billboards can be expensive. You may be pleasantly surprised at some rates you can get from local radio and local cable companies--they may even ofter to tape or prepare the video for you. |
|
| Join Groups: | |
| Find out if
there are business groups in your area that you might join. BNI is a business networking group whose pupose is to bring in leads. Another possibility: the Chamber of Commerce--good for networking. If you're part of a trade or craft, there may be a local trade group. |
|
| Networking: | |
| Pass out business
cards and send e-mails to everybody you know. Always carry business cards with you. Buy some imprinted shirts to wear whenever you're out. |
|
VistaPrint:
Business cards, stationary and more.
Save up to 90% + get FREE Shipping
Web Site Hosting:
50% off First 6 months
with this link!
 |