Saturday, December 16, 2006

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.


About The Author: Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over
200 articles on various subjects. For more information checkout
http://www.ideacenter.com and http://my-updates.info.

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