No matter what type of home business you have, a grassroots marketing campaign will offer some advantages.

What is Grassroots Marketing?

Grassroots marketing might be deemed unconventional or non-traditional. It is a less formal means of advertising than commercials or radio ads.  Grassroots marketing is more personal and less expensive. 

Create Customer Alignment

Creating customer alignment is one type of grassroots marketing that is effective on many levels.  For instance, if you are a mom trying to sell a product to mom's to make motherhood easier for them, talk about your own experience as a mom.  Relate your product and yourself to your consumer on a personal level. 

Using this method allows clients and consumers to see who they are purchasing from.  This also allows you to show your customers how much you care about them and the product you are promoting. 

Use Yourself and Your Family

If you are selling clothing, wear the clothing. If you are selling a baby carrier, use the baby carrier. The point is to be visible and to make your product visible to the public every day. Create situations where potential customers have the opportunity to ask questions and get information on your product or service. 

Use Your Local Resources

Stick close to home to serve your local market first. Find every small community newsletter or neighborhood association newsletter that you can. Barter to advertise with them, or ask them to do a small feature story on your home business. 

Go to the neighborhood markets and hand out samples. Order a magnet for your car to market yourself every time you are out driving.  Stop people at the park to survey them about their needs.  Be prepared with business cards, an internet address or a brochure. 

Use Word-of-Mouth and Referral Marketing

Give your clients and customers a reason to tell their friends and family about your business. Offer free shipping or superb and personal customer service (give them a reason to talk about you and the product or service you have available).    

Approach local service industries and ask if they are willing to give referrals to your business in exchange for free advertising on your website. This can be a lucrative offer for you both. 

Use the Internet for Marketing Your Business

If you don't have a website, get one up and running. An internet presence is vital to small businesses. 

Open accounts with Twitter, MySpace, Face Book and LinkedIn to offer clients and followers a new special every day. Keep your website updated with new information and specials. 

Try creating a weekly or monthly newsletter to keep your clients and customers updated. Offer a customer forum so they have a place to share their opinion or suggestions. Present a new customer survey with new editions of your newsletter, and answer emails every day. 

There are many ways to be creative using grassroots marketing schemes, and the small and personal approach to advertising can be very effective.