How can I market my small business effectively, locally, without spending too much money.?

Question

I would like to promote my moving company in Oregon. I don't mind spending anywhere from 100 - 200 dollars a month if it works. I mainly use Craigslist right now to generate all of my income. I am not in the phone book nor do I have a web site. What is the most effective way to market my small business for the least amount of money. I really know very little about this area.

Answer 1

One of the best ways to advertise your business is to put yourself in the position of your customers. In other words, if you were looking for a moving company, where would you look? And who would look the most often?

My suggestion is to locate several large apartment complexes near your business. You can inexpensively put together some flyers with tear off strips with your phone number on them. Put them up on the bulletin boards in the laundry rooms, community areas, or see if you can't partner with the apartment managers by showing them you have a reasonably priced service and are conscientious of their property. You might offer them a finders fee too. I would look for complexes with middle aged to elderly renters - folks who appreciate good work because they can't do it themselves. And once people see your trucks in the complexes frequently, they will call you first.

You might expand your business by not just moving whole homes, but to deliver and install new/used furniture, to re-arrange items in a home, or to move furniture before carpet is installed. I'd target the same people as above, but here you could post flyers single family home neighborhoods so they could also use your services. With so many retirees moving to Oregon these days, I know I've had to try to find this very service for older adults in my community. Unfortunately there aren't any such services I've found down on the south coast.

Answer 2

One advertising method you may want to consider is to offer each of your current customers a small incentive for a referral. For example, for each new client they refer to you, you offer to give them $10.00. Be sure to leave some business cards with so they can give them out to all their friends for referrals. You'd be surprised at how effective this can be.

If you're in a college area where there are lots students, you can place fliers at strategic places around the university. Take fliers with you everywhere you go and put them on every available bulletin board you encounter. Be consistent. When a flyer is removed after a period of time, replace it with another one. Remember, that a potential customer has to see an ad several times before they will feel comfortable responding.

You may want to consider having a sweatshirt printed with the name of your company on the front and back along with a slogan that suggests that you're a very capable mover. (this should be pretty inexpensive).

You may want to consider comarketing with a real estate agent. You can refer potential homes coming up for sale to him or her, while he or she can send moving jobs to you.

Just a few suggestions. Hope they help!

Answer 3

Well here goes....yes do put yourself into the phone book most everyone uses them .Also try looking in one under advertisers -like the coupon valu pack savings coupons that they have in the mail,mewspappers and those free suppermarket peny saver pappers also call your local radeo stations especialy the live in the sky weather reports that come to you on behalf of donated funds from you they will tell a quick 1 ,2 on your buisness.And come up with insentives like free estimates and 10% off deals or throw in boxes exc.all the good buisnesses give calanders,pens and fridge magnents. they can be bought over the web in bulk for cheap.try the oriental trading company they are great.-Good luck !!!

Answer 4

Myspace has a classified section. You could also make a Myspace page for your company. Uhm, you can try college newpapers, smaller resturaunts could put an ad in their menus. Here in Oklahoma, we have a little "Buyers Guide" that is sent out in the mail. You could check your area for something like that. Uhm, Go to companies that sell boxes for moving and see if they'll let you put a flyer up.
Hope this helps! Good luck.

Answer 5

Contact real estate offices and ask them to refer your company to people who are moving locally. Offer a finder's fee for their clients who sign up. You only pay for the promotion if you get business.

Assuming you have some kind of boxed truck with your company name, find a busy intersection with a strip mall on it, find the owner of the mall and parking lot, and ask if you can rent a space to park your truck when it's not in use.

Answer 6

You could be taking advantage of local community newspapers, the ones distibuted for free around the neighborhood. Their rates are usually very reasonable. In addition, you could put up flyers on supermarket bulletin boards, etc. You should definitely take a listing in the phone book, it would be worth it.

Answer 7

The best thing you can do is do some local radio ads. They're very effective and are not cost-prohibiting. Plus, if you live in a small town, they are very good at getting the message across.

Answer 8

If I could show you a way to reduce your business overhead, add an extra $1000-$2000 to your bottom line, and provide you with free advertising on 100 of thousands of wesites, would you have a few minutes for me to share it with you?

if so please contact me via email and I can send you a link to discuss it further. [e-mail]

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