Most people start their new home-based business on a budget. But that doesn't mean you can't get the word out about your business! You must, in fact, if you want your business to make it to it's first anniversary (much less it's 5th or 50th.)
Luckily, savvy new business owners know that the
most effective forms of advertising are frequently free or low cost.
Here are ten great ideas for launching your new
business.
1. Word of Mouth.
Many people think this comes only after you've started satisfying your customers, and they tell their friends and family about your business. That could be the case, but you'll want to start that "buzz" for your biz before you have your first client.
You do this by contacting your friends, family, co-workers and everyone else you know and simply know that you are in such-in-such business now. You're excited about it, and if they have any referrals they can send your way, you will treat them extraordinarily well, and you will be forever grateful to your friend for the referral. Your sheer enthusiasm for what you are doing really has to shine here, for maximum effectiveness.
2. Business Cards.
While
business cards aren't any big secret, many new business owners spend
way too much money on them. If you're working with a budget (aren't we
all?) then you should know that you can get full color business cards
online, for free. Well, you only pay shipping and handling charges.
You're still only paying about five bucks in all.
Get them at: http://yourhomebiz.com/freebizcards.html
When I started my web design business in 1996, I paid a local chain about $80 for 500 "fancy" 2 color (black and blue) cards. Technology really is a wonderful thing.
3. Flyers.
Flyers are a great way to get the word out about your business. Most of the time, computers come with word processing software that will even help you accomplish this task.
If your local laws allow it, you can
pass them out door to door (and get some great excerise in the
process), put them on cars in crowded parking lots, give them to
satisfied
customers, etc.
One thing you CANNOT do is put them in mailboxes. It's again the law (in the U.S.A.).
4. Press Releases.
While I am no expert in press releases, there is one thing I do know: THEY WORK.
In
fact, my web site once made it into a small article in the Seattle
paper one Sunday. It mentioned my site, as well as about 10 others. But
you know what? My hits more than
tripled for weeks afterwards.
Do press releases work? You bet! There are lots of experts online that you can learn from.
5. Get on the Radio.
If you can be interviewed on the radio as a "local expert" in your business, your phone will start ringing and your web site will get traffic. It's amazing! And there are hundreds, if not thousands of radio shows who would love to interview you for one reason or another and learn about your expertise. (And yes, even as a new business owner, you ARE an expert!)
6. Classified Ads.
Classified ads have been around forever (or so it seems) and there is a good reason: they work. Period. I have noticed that ads in big city newspapers have gone up significantly in price. It may be justified, but most of us new home-based business owners simply cannot afford that on an ongoing basis.
Other options include your local "penny,
thrifty, etc."-type papers, where you can run an ad for under $10 a
week. You can also pay a bit more and advertise in a newspaper
advertising network. This is where groups of newspapers come together
and offer advertising much below their normal rates for bulk ads. So
instead of being seen in one
newspaper, you're ad is in 10 or 100, and you pay rock bottom prices.
You can even find free advertising online (at sites like http://yourhomebiz.com/classifieds.html). But be careful, free doesn't always equal effective -- especially when it comes to online advertings (like FFA sites.)
So, if you've just started your home-based business of you're marketing budget is a little dry, try some of these free, yet effective marketing ideas and watch your business soar.
Subscribe to Julie Frost's free email newsletter, YourHomeBizWeekly at: http://www.YourHomeBiz.com For more in-depth information, read the best-selling ebook "How to Find, Start, Grow, and Succeed in Your Own Home- Based Business" at her web site: http://www.yourhomebiz.com/ebook.html
