Many people get into business having a very good understanding of a product or service, yet have no idea how to actually market it.
Over the last several years, I've sold advertising for a small publisher in Georgia. It has never ceased to amaze me the reaction that small business owners have to an advertising salesman.
In reality, small business owners should embrace the very people that help to promote their business. That does not mean that small businesses should always take every opportunity presented, however there is a great advantage to taking a moment and getting to know your advertising salespeople.
For those business people that have a small business and are looking for some creative ideas to advertise without having to spend much, I'll outline a short list for you.
1. Your business card is one of the most overlooked advertising mediums that you can use. Invest in some really good color business cards that can be purchased online for less than you can normally buy them locally. Your business card ends up in many places and it makes a big impression in small places. Don't buy phone book cover ads. Phone book cover ads are a ripoff.
2. They are typically sold by a telemarketer on the phone promising to put you on 10,000 phone books in the area. The truth is that the phone book covers rarely ever get used.
3. Invest in restaurant menu advertising. You can advertise your small business in restaurant menus very inexpensively and the cost per impression is very inexpensive. Restaurant menu advertising is one of the best methods that a small business can use to get cost effective advertising.
4. Co-op a flyer. Have a business next door or across town that is not a competitor, however you wouldn't mind sharing some advertising space with? Have them agree to share ad space on a printed flyer to be distributed around town. This works really well to get your flyer placed on checkout counters that might otherwise frown on a single advertiser flyer.
5. Invest in hotel directory advertising. This is a low cost, effective way to get your business known to new people in the area.
There you have it, a few ways that a small business can save money on advertising and still get great local exposure.
Over the last several years, I've sold advertising for a small publisher in Georgia. It has never ceased to amaze me the reaction that small business owners have to an advertising salesman.
In reality, small business owners should embrace the very people that help to promote their business. That does not mean that small businesses should always take every opportunity presented, however there is a great advantage to taking a moment and getting to know your advertising salespeople.
For those business people that have a small business and are looking for some creative ideas to advertise without having to spend much, I'll outline a short list for you.
1. Your business card is one of the most overlooked advertising mediums that you can use. Invest in some really good color business cards that can be purchased online for less than you can normally buy them locally. Your business card ends up in many places and it makes a big impression in small places. Don't buy phone book cover ads. Phone book cover ads are a ripoff.
2. They are typically sold by a telemarketer on the phone promising to put you on 10,000 phone books in the area. The truth is that the phone book covers rarely ever get used.
3. Invest in restaurant menu advertising. You can advertise your small business in restaurant menus very inexpensively and the cost per impression is very inexpensive. Restaurant menu advertising is one of the best methods that a small business can use to get cost effective advertising.
4. Co-op a flyer. Have a business next door or across town that is not a competitor, however you wouldn't mind sharing some advertising space with? Have them agree to share ad space on a printed flyer to be distributed around town. This works really well to get your flyer placed on checkout counters that might otherwise frown on a single advertiser flyer.
5. Invest in hotel directory advertising. This is a low cost, effective way to get your business known to new people in the area.
There you have it, a few ways that a small business can save money on advertising and still get great local exposure.
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