How to Market Your Business

In order to get people to notice your business or services, you need to get the word out. For those on a tight budget, you need to spend your money wisely, and advertising agencies can be quite expensive to work with. Here are a few ideas on what is most important when getting your business noticed

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Have a noticeable sign in the front of your store or office. Make sure it’s big enough to get noticed and that the color scheme doesn’t blend with its surroundings.
2. Next, work with a free-lance writer and/or designer to create a brochure for you. List the main services you want to advertise and list the prices next to it. Make sure it is full-color and has pictures on it because this will make your brochure more memorable.
3. Get business cards that are attractive and that represent the type of business you have. For example, if your business is geared toward children, make your business card (and other marketing materials) colorful and fun. But if you want customers to know that you run a professional, upscale business, make sure your marketing materials are classy.
4. Write a press release, or work with a free-lance writer to write a press release. Have it sent to all the local press in your area.
5. Then follow up with a call to the editor to see if the media needs any additional information.
6. Have an event to celebrate your opening. Try hosting an Open House or a sales event to welcome customers inside your building.

Tips & Warnings

• To find a free-lance writer who can help you with marketing materials, search your local newspapers and shoppers for ads or call the newspaper editor to ask for referrals. You could also ask other business owners who they have worked with on these types of projects. If you want to try using a college student, contact the English or Mass Comm. department and ask for an intern. Otherwise, you will need to contact an ad agency to meet with a local writer.