Advertising Tips All Small Business Owners Should Know

In an optimal world, customers would come directly to businesses without the use of any form of advertising methods. Unfortunately, with the vast amount of competition on the market, small businesses need as much help as they can get to grow. Advertising is one of the most essential aspects to owning a small business. Sure, a business can have a great product or service, but without a customer base, what good is that product or service? By utilizing the following advertising tips, small businesses can see a return on their investment with sales success and customer growth.

 

Tip #1 – Take advantage of free advertising. This, by far, is the best advertising tip available. Why pay for advertising when you can get it for free? Make your small business known by getting out in the community. Sponsor cleaning up a roadway and have your business’ name posted on a roadway sign. Volunteer to answer telephones at a public television pledge drive and have your company’s name mentioned as a volunteer. The key to getting free advertising is to get involved and be seen. When volunteering your company, people will begin to associate your company’s name with your face. This will lead to greater recognition in the community and the chance to network and reach new customers.

 

Tip #2 – Tis better to give than receive. Donate a service or item as much as possible to promote advertising of your small business. From school raffles to charitable auctions, buy donating a gift or service, your small business will gain recognition and a customer. While this customer may not be paying, he or she can spread positive word-of-mouth about your business to others; especially if he is she is extremely pleased with service provided.

 

Tip #3 – Advertise, advertise, advertise! While you may be satisfied with the increase in business, the best advertising tip is to keep advertising. Since customers can come and go, a business should always look to replace departing customers and/or expand. By keeping a constant and changing advertising campaign, small business owners can manage customer growth and adapt to industry changes.

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing Strategies Made Easy With Business Cards

Marketing strategies can make all the difference to your home business.  If you are seeking to compound the profits of your home business into several home businesses, how you run your first business and how you market your first business could be crucial.  This article outlines three easy ways to begin to get the word out about your business.  These are not the only ways to get the word out about your business, but they are simple and quick, costing little, and netting you much.

 

First, use the power of words!  Make a list of all of the people you know.  Consider your hairdresser, babysitter, soccer coaches, and anyone else you make come into contact with either through your work and social life, or your children’s, or partner’s.  Allow this list to grow and grow.  You should know no less than one hundred people.  As you run into these people, begin to introduce your business idea casually, and let them know what you are doing.

 

Second, use the power of the written word.  Make up a business card you can begin to hand to your list of people.  The card should be eye catching, but concise.  Give details of your home business, without going overboard.  Give each person you meet your card, and consider writing a short note on the back so they will remember who you are. You may reference the location and date of your meeting. 

 

Third, as you get to know more people, begin to give out multiple cards and ask that they give your cards to others they know.  In this way you will be networking with hundreds more people, just in utilizing the people you know!  These three easy steps cost little more than the amount you spent on the business cards, but got your name in front of many, many people.