free advertising any ideas?

Question

just bought a key cutting / hardware /security business any ideas for free advertising i have no website
leaflets cost too much
local papers cost quite a lot
local radio definately costs a lot
bill boards,taxis,roundabouts cost too much to advertise or sponsor
ive managed to get free telephone listings on a few telephone directories but most of them want big fees (any suggestions here are most welcome)i am listed in the yellow pages
are there any business to business meetings i can attend to exchange company details which dont require a joining fee?
is there something cheap thats staring me in the face which i havent thought of?
does anyone know of any websites which offer free listings

Answer 1

Make some Pamphlets and and put them in local shop bulletin boards and on windows.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

A few free resources – check out the sources box for links:

1) Create a blog pertaining to your field

2) Use Yahoo! Local & Yahoo! Groups – Be sure to read the TOS for each one!

3) Write articles pertaining to your field and/or expertise.

Also, consider signing up for an affiliate program. These programs enable you to advertise on other's sites (your affiliates) and once a sale is made to you, your affiliates & the program are paid a commission.

I listed a few handy sites & articles relating to marketing, promotion & advertising. Here's some book titles that are relevant:

* 301 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Ideas: From America's Most Innovative Small Companies by Sam Decker
* Off The Wall Marketing Ideas: Jumpstart Your Sales without Busting Your Budget by Nancy Michaels, Debbi J. Karpowicz
* Guerrilla Marketing for Free: Dozens of No-Cost Tactics to Promote Your Business and Energize Your Profits by Jay Conrad Levinson
* Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 4

A website is your best bet - it's the cheapest form of advertising and you can publicise it using some business cards - with just you business name on, email, phone number and web site address and get everyone you know to distribute them. If you have a printer maybe you can even print your own cards. Most ISP's in the UK give you free web space so you can use that to advertise your business. NVU is a freeware web design program you can use. Contact me - if you're in the UK or need more advice. Coffecup do a freeware FTP program (they are useful sometimes for websites). Take a look at my site for ideas. You can also make money advertising on your website. Look up viral marketting on google too.

Answer 5

I think you will find it difficult to grow or do any marketing without a change in attitude. Youre just seeing it all as a COST (sure of course it is you have to pay - what new) rather than what it really is - an INVESTMENT in your business.

Anyway the only things i can think of are:
1: do a open day, learn key-cutting (party-style for kids do face painting etc)
2: Do PR, security is a hot topic for house-holders and business, run free seminars, free talks etc etc

And for goodness sake STOP confusing FREE with EFFECTIVE
Boring marketing consultant lesson over with now!!

Answer 6

I have just started my own business and got 2000 flyer's for £35 and 5000 business cards for £80 compared to other quotes I received this is a steal!!! If you use a search engine and type in advertising and just for to all the free sites and get your business on there. Get some flyer's and business cards hand them out locally, homes business' etc. It really does work. The inland revenue run workshops, shell live-wire, enterprise, your local careers centre etc. The list is endless.

Answer 7

Yahoo@ Geo Cities could be a start in creating your own site.

You can upgrade once you begin to grow, but that would give you your start and have somewhere online to send those interested.

Search online for those that exchange links. Since your business is mostly a "local" business, do searches for your specific area.

Also check or start a Yahoo! Message Board for Small and Home Based Businesses for your local area. You can advertise in your community with flyers and whenever you meet someone be sure to exchange business cards and ask if they may be interested in joining your message board for FREE LOCAL networking and advertising.

Once you have created your message board and have members, you may consider setting up networking meetings where everyone exchanges business cards and informs each other about their business. Then, you all refer each other to your customers.

Best of Luck to YOU!

Answer 8

Some call it guerilla marketing!!!
IT's advertising through non conventional means!!!
Example, to advertise on a newspaper costs a lot but to classifieds/personals are free or at least cheaper!!!

A lot of free classifieds on websites(do it according to your city or district)
As well try networking(like you suggest go to meetings)
Do proactive sales approaches towards larger clients(ie key cutting - apartment blocks, offer them long term service/delivery/value adding benefits.
Word of Mouth is considered the best form of advertising so tell your customers to refer others if they are happy with you!!!

Good Luck and wish you success!!!

Answer 9

You can list on Yahoo directories or Open Source Directory. You can also look at free media opportunities. However, whatever you decide what will cost some money. However, its whether it delivers more sales than it cost that decides whether it is worthwhile.

Answer 10

Pixel page is new in Internet history.
It drives lots of traffic to your site.
Check MDHP site. Alex's idea is revolutionary.
MDHP is currently unavailable. you can find many alternative on line.

Here is one of them. interestingly it is free too.
www.innovativepixelpage.com