Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Inexpensive (or Free!) Marketing for your Small Business

In today's economy, many small businesses are feeling the pinch. Everyone's budgets are tighter and consumers simply aren't spending as much. But some consumers are spending, and for some items consumers will always spend. Its important to market your business no matter what type of economy. Fortunately there are some inexpensive and even free ways you can market your small business. Try a few of these to help your business grow.

Our best tip: a seed planted today grows tomorrow. You need to market today to see results in the future. This is why it is important to market every day, in a regular and consistent basis. You actually don't have to spend a lot of time on marketing but you do need to do it often. These seeds you plant will grow, and they will grow into new business for your small business!

Social networking. "Everyone" it seems is on social networking. This is a fun and popular way to connect with new and old customers, even with your vendors and businesses you like. Social networking does need to be kept up with daily, but many find they can take a fifteen minute break to do social networking and then get back to other work. Try Twitter and Facebook for some of the most popular sites. Also consider LinkedIn, for business networking.

Face to face & virtual networking. This is just as important and will help grow your business. Make an effort to get to know your customers, people that also own businesses and your vendors. As you network, the stronger your network and more diverse, the better it is. Remember that the quality of your network is just as important as how big it is. Take the time to get to know people, don't just collect business cards and then keep them in your pocket. Chat with them and have lunch.

Join associations and clubs. Note: sometimes there is a membership or annual fee for associations and clubs. But a business or interest oriented association or club can be quite valuable to help market your business. The contacts you make by joining the local Chamber of Commerce or another business association can be quite useful. You'll meet others with local businesses and can network with them. They may send business your way and you can do the same for them.

Do good. This is a great way to market your business, by helping an organization in need. There are many organizations in your community that need help - and certainly one may need something that you have to offer. You may have old office furniture or equipment that they would be happy to have. Or you might be a restaurant that tosses out perfectly good food each week that could feed hungry people in your community. Call your local United Way or public library for help in finding charities in the community that are looking for help. Not only will you help others who will be glad to have something you simply aren't using, you'll also connect with others to increase your network and develop more goodwill for your business.


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Lawrence Reaves writes for Galorath, an software company that can help your company plan and implement a project using their project management software. For more information about this software and others visit http://www.galorath.com/index.php/products/


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