Thursday, January 8, 2009

Small Business Marketing — 6 Cheap Ways To Promote Your Business


Have you ever wanted to have your own business? Have you ever
wished you earn extra profits and not just depend on your
husband’s salary or even with your own income? If you do, then,
having a small business is one of the best endeavors you can
have.

However, your small business will never be successful unless
you know how to market your products effectively. Among the
various tools used in businesses, marketing is one of the most
important.

The continued existence of businesses is fully dependent on
marketing. Creating the channels of communication to fully
promote, advertise, or put on the market various products and
services is the main responsibility of marketing.

Giant companies have created marketing department to focus
directly on different marketing issues and strategies. However,
if you only have a small business, you have to focus more on how
to put your product in the market and make it known to the
public.

Here are some small business marketing ideas:

1. Go online

Websites are the perfect tool — they last longer and reach a
wider audience than traditional print ads. Plus, they are more
affordable.

With the proliferation of information technology these days,
many businesses are utilizing the potential of the Internet in
promoting their products and services.

Some companies specializing in website development offer
affordable packages. However, since you are into small business,
it is best that you opt for free websites. So if you are looking
for an even cheaper alternative, you can create your own company
blog for free.

2. Give free samples

Small businesses may not afford to hire advertising agencies to
handle their marketing strategies. Hence, getting alternative
solutions is best.

By giving free samples, consumers become aware of the kind of
quality your products or services have. As they say, what good
is an amazing product if no one knows it is amazing?

As a businessperson, it is not wise for your product to be
well-kept secret forever. Let people try your product or
service—create sample sizes if the expense gets too high—and let
the spread the word for you!

3. Create affiliate programs

Has your business reached a plateau? Are you getting the same
customers every single month? Well, teaming up with another
company is a great way to revamp your business without the usual
hassle. It helps you refresh your brand image and expand your
reach.

4. Print press releases

Although they are usually published in broadsheets, you may
also consider tweaking them for magazine and radio releases as
well. With the proper wording and timing, press releases are the
perfect way to maintain hype for your business.

5. Write e-zines or newsletters

Providing good reading material about your particular field
creates awareness and interest among the public. It also
establishes you as a knowledgeable industry leader. If your work
has been published, then you are probably someone people should
listen to.

Plus, with the combined number customers and subscribers, you
company will grow at an even faster rate.

6. Create a good product

Ads can only do so much. Instead of putting money on
advertising, concentrate on creating a great product. Nothing
sells a good product better than a good product, even if what
you have is only a small business.

It really pays to have a diversified, well planned, and well
thought of small business marketing plan. A good product will
get you nowhere unless other people knows about it.

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