Low Cost Advertising and Marketing

We all know that successfully advertising your business is one the most important keys to being successful. We might have a great product or service, but if no one knows about it, then our business days are limited.

How many business owners are put off by the high cost of advertising and marketing? The answer? A lot! However it need not be expensive or even cost anything. Just think outside the square a bit and you will come up with a myriad of methods to get your name out there.

If your business relies on online marketing, you probably use social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter, but there are many other effective methods also. Online classified advertising sites such as Craig’s list are a great way of targeting a specific market, whether it be your immediate location, or a more distant location and then consider this. Craig’s list is a US based service, but a simple Google search will turn up classified advertising sites for nearly every country in the world. What better way to tap into an overseas market, open new opportunities and grow your business. India with a population of over a billion people and an economy that just keeps growing and growing can be easily accessed by visiting a site like Click India; best of all, it is completely free. I launched an internet design business and within a week of advertising in two major Indian cities had picked up three customers.

Don’t limit yourself to online opportunities though. Do you drive? Does your partner drive? If you don’t want or can’t afford a sign written vehicle, it’s relatively affordable to have a simple sign printed up that can be left in your vehicle window while you go shopping at the mall.

Speaking of malls, have you ever marveled at just how many people trundle through those places and found yourself wondering how you could reach them with your business? Easy; approach some of the store owners and offer them a discount in exchange for having your card on their counter. Some stores even have community and local business notice boards, which allow for free or low cost advertising.

There are endless opportunities and methods for self promotion that don’t involve expensive newspaper, radio or television advertising. Sit down with your employees and brainstorm; you will be surprised at what you can come up with.