Marketing Your Business
Updated July 28, 2007
Even if you have the best business idea ever, you'll never get a customer if you don't market yourself.
Get a Website
If you're going to try to sell your product or service to strangers, you must have a website. Businesses that don't have a website risk having an unprofessional image. Likewise, your website should reflect a professional image, just as all materials that advertise your company should.
Get Business Cards
Whenever you meet somebody, talk about something that interests them, compliment them, tell them you loved meeting them and would love to talk to them again for xyz reason, and give them a business card. It's surprising how many people will think of you because of your charming personality when they need services you offer.
Create Brochures
Brochures are a great way to offer more information about your business and answer frequently asked questions. Carry them with you, pass them out, post them on bulletin boards, mail them to potential customers and clients, and make sure you give one to every customer to pass on to their friends.
Pass Out Coupon Flyers
Make flyers that give potential customers a discount or offer a sample of your services.
Attend Fairs and Conferences to Demonstrate Your Product
It's not so easy to demonstrate a service at events, but you certainly could set up a booth and make your product available. Always consider handing out free samples if possible.
Refrigerator Magnets
For some reason, people are more likely to hang onto a magnet than a business card, so make an attractive magnet related to what you do or sell, and make sure that happens to have your contact information in a noticeable place.
Advertisements
Consider purchasing ad space in a newspaper, the yellow pages, or on a popular website. You could also advertise in school newspapers and yearbooks as well as on programs for events, such as sporting and theatrical events. Since advertisements are expensive most of the time, make sure that you advertise in a place that you expect your customers to be. Don't buy ad space on the Internet if you only expect local people to use your service.
Signs
If you have a place of business, such as if you run a daycare from your home, consider placing a sign in your yard (if your city permits it), so customers can easily find you. People passing by will also notice that you offer this service and may ask copy down your phone number or URL to find out more about your business.
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