2006-10-01 15:01:16 · 12 answers · asked by rubbaduck 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Like others said, it depends on the business. Word of mouth is the cheapest and best. If you sell a product, give to your friends and family at a discount or free and have them passs the word. Also pass out business cards to everyone you meet. Good luck.
2006-10-02 00:48:57 · answer #1 · answered by hirebookkeeper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Advertising usually isn't the best option for small businesses. Any form of advertising usually takes 6 -12 repetitions (if all goes well) until you get any traction. Many small businesses just don't have the budget. In my opinion, the best form of small business marketing is free press-based coverage (online, newspaper, magazine, TV, newletter, podcast). This is especially true if you have a product-based company and you need to get the word out to a larger area. If you fail to get any media coverage, it's because you have a boring company or a me too product or service.
2006-10-02 00:10:36 · answer #2 · answered by Tats 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Television is too expensive. Depending on the size of the business, radio can be a good buy. Specialized cable channels can be good, they combine cost advantage with the ability to target to your desired market. You can also print flyers and hire someone to distribute them, you can advertise in either the area's established daily newspaper, or a weekly, a shopping guide like Pennysaver, you can even post notices on bulletin boards. The key is "bang for the buck", making the best use of the money available for advertising and that does depend on the people you are trying to reach.
2006-10-01 22:07:33 · answer #3 · answered by jxt299 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is very dependent on who is actually your target. Until you nail down age, gender, household income, and lifestyle preferences, you won't really be able to identify what media works best for you.
For example, if you're trying to reach 25-34 young adults, you still have to define a lot. Are you trying to reach upper income types? Or people with lower incomes just trying to get started in life. In these situations, you'll find each group has a radically different pattern in the media they turn to for media and entertainment.
So find that stuff out first. A good shortcut is to see what successful competitors are doing and try to emulate their media choices, but also make certain that your message is very different.
Hope that helps.
2006-10-01 22:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Advertise on your vehicle. Run a small article in a newspaper. Distribute business cards in local businesses or on bulletin boards... The vehicle advertisement is my most favorite though.
2006-10-01 22:10:59 · answer #5 · answered by Tracy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a few ideas,
Build a website or blog and chat about your business niche.
E-Business cards with a presentation of your services on it.
Free giveaways or run a contest.
Network with the local chamber of commerce.
barter with local businesses in your area and exchange services and client base
E-zine advertising.
Good luck Auggie
2006-10-01 23:41:11 · answer #6 · answered by formy.biz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you do a very good job at your bussiness the best advertising is Word of mouth.
2006-10-01 22:08:53 · answer #7 · answered by Tired Old Man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the book Gorilla Marketing. Yo can probably find some low-cost marketing ideas you can adapt to your business / target audience.
2006-10-01 22:45:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the business. For mine I find Podcasting works better than anything else.
2006-10-01 23:58:10 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-10-02 19:44:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋