When it comes to marketing, many business owners get confused about where to start, as well as about things such as where to market, how much to market, and so forth.
Small businesses can have an even tougher time trying to decide on all of these scenarios. Small businesses often have small budgets and small amounts of time to work within. The following are some marketing tips that small businesses can implement into their business, without spending a lot of money or time on them.
* A website is something every business should have, as it is available for customers to access twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A domain can be purchased for under $10 per year, and hosting plans start out at under $5 per month.
* Blogs can be found for free through services such as www.blogger.com. They can also be put on a person’s own domain very easily. Blogs build relationships with customers and are a great marketing tool. A business owner can use a blog to keep in touch with customers.
* Business cards serve as a great marketing tool. Keep them with you and hang one up whenever you pass a bulletin board. If you see someone who may be in need of your products or services, hand them a card.
* Press releases are a great way to get exposure and build buzz. These can be sent to local media, including newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations. They can also be distributed online through press release distribution sites.
* Another great marketing tip involves distributing content throughout the web in the form of articles. This can be done by forming a partnership with another site which will publish your exclusive articles on their site or in their ezine. Alternatively, articles can be submitted to an article reprint directory.
* Networking with other businesses, whether it is face to face or online is another way to market your business while making friends and learning something new at the same time.
Local networking groups can be found through traditional sources such as the Chamber of Commerce. Your local newspaper may also display the meetings and times of these groups. If you don’t find one that suits your needs, you can always create one yourself.
If you can’t meet up in person, try networking online. There are lots of websites and forums devoted to all types of businesses. You are bound to find one in your field. You can also try networking with those in complementary fields – it’s a great way to find people to share referrals with!
There are so many ways for a small business to take an active role in their marketing. Once you start, you won’t want to stop.