I just started my own business, what is the best form of advertising to get the word out?

Question

I just started my own business, and before I have aa lot of cutomers, dont have enough for a big advertising campain on radio or TV, and I've heard flyers dont work very well because I have a small concentrated market. What type of advertising should I use?

Answer 1

Start creating a buzz about your business.
The options are limitless but the tried and true method is referrals.
Word of mouth is the reigning king for advertising.
Offer an incentive to everyone who sends you 3 customers.
Before you know it, that advertising budget will be there.

Answer 2

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.

4) Advertise on Craiglist

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 are 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 3

Traveling to peoples homes can be risky and hard work slepping tables around upstairs and trying to get them into rooms with too much furniture. Set up some rules like don't go to a house unless two people want a massage. Charge more for the gas and travel time and use of the car. Set up a safety system to call people when you arrive and when you leave. You can also do it at hotels in your area especially if there are high end hotels. You need to network with the concierges at places like that and tip them when they refer someone to you. Charge 2x the amount for those massages. Be available at the last minute and be able to get there asap. Build your reputation in the community. Use twitter to let people know what area you will be in that week or when you have appointments available. And yes get a website set up. Keep track of all of your income and expenses. Set up a separate checking account. Get an accountant if you need to to do your taxes and set up paying self employement taxes etc. It is sometimes just easier to rent an office or share an office with someone who is already established. There are many other ways you can start your business in an office setting that are really cheap too.

Answer 4

Target your small concentrated market with how they get information ... ask them!!! Word of mouth is the best advertising without question. A direct mail piece if you can get access to names of serious potential buyers is ideal. Offer a free newsletter or website to get people's names for mailings. Where does your target market hang out??? Go there!!!

Answer 5

DIRECT MAIL - EVERYONE has a mailbox :)

Try contacting Creative Marketing Techniques @ [phone].

They can target your audience with a guaranteed mailing list and do a mailing for you that will fit practically any budget.

Answer 6

to be honest you should have had funds planned in your ad budget prior to opening up [cost projection] business plan ???
so you did not, so i would check out your local cable company, sometimes they have low cost ads available, depending on what you are selling craigslist is not cost for placing ads[they are good from 7 days and up. e bay is also a good source,[cost not known]
make sure all licenses and permits are up to date so you wont run into legal problems
good luck

Answer 7

A free place is Craig's List

Answer 8

my friend i have the perfect website for you. it includes over 1000 places to advertise for free. including search engine submission, free directories, free classifieds, free ppc campaigns, free viral marketing and all other sorts. It should keep you going for quite a while!
http://www.freeaddsgalore.me.uk

Answer 9

word of mouth is always best, however target your daily local newspaper, and maybe something like the thrifty nickle... on the daily run your ads on day at a time; for example, maybe sundays will work best in your area. in my area, wednesday works best for me.

Answer 10

Heinz is right. Check your local craigslist.org board.