7 Tasty Tips To Market Your Small Business Offline

Written by Yaro
on March 6th, 2006 / 6 Comments / Print this

When marketing your small business, you want to make the most of the money you’ve budgeted for your advertising. Unlike large corporations who spend millions of dollars on television commercials, a small business needs to plan carefully and spend their advertising dollars wisely.

In today’s world, the Internet has become one of the most popular and low-budgeted means of advertising. However, not every business will have success with online advertising and it is not the only advertising medium a small business should use. A small business has to work harder to get their name in the public’s eye. There are several marketing strategies you can use that do not involve the typical “flyer” method of advertising and are relatively low cost.

1. Local Media

Take advantage of the media in the town or city in which you live. Local newspapers and magazines quite often will write business profiles for their paper. An ad you place in the newspaper is apt to get lost within the scope of all the others. Readers will notice a business profile. Take the first step and contact your local newspaper or a local magazine and ask if they would be interested in doing a profile on your business. Prepare yourself for this interview and focus on what your business has to offer and why they should choose your business instead of another.

2. Write Articles For The Press

Display your abilities as an expert in your field by writing articles on your business. Offer these articles to your local newspaper, trade magazines, and even, online. By teaching potential clients about all aspects of your business, you are proving yourself to them as an expert in the field. This will get your name out there in front of potential clients and market yourself as an expert in your particular line of work.

3. Sponsor Your Community

Getting involved with the community in which you live in is a major advertising strategy. For example, sponsor a local team sport, such as Little League Baseball or Hockey. Soon you’ll have ten or more children running around with your business name on their back. When their parent’s are bragging, they’ll mention your business name when telling their friends and relatives what team their child is on.

4. Collect Written Testimonials

When a client states you’ve done a good job for them, don’t be afraid to ask them for a written testimonial. This can be as simple as a quick thank you note. These written testimonials should be added to your marketing materials, such as your web site, your company brochure, or company newsletter. Testimonials will add the trust factor to your business.

5. Unique Special Offer

Create an offer that no other business has. This could be as simple as offering something for free. For example, if your business is service oriented, you could offer a free three-day trial or for a cleaning service offer the first three-hours free with a written contract for your services. Every consumer likes to feel they are getting something for nothing.

6. Encourage Referrals

Set up a referral system. Offer your existing clients something free for referring someone else to your business. When applying this method of advertising make the referral system action oriented. The client will get their “free” item or service, only if their referral either purchases something or signs a contract for your service.

7. Package Insert Program

Another strategy proven to be effective is the Package Insert Program. Take a look at some of the business around you that are targeting the same market as you. Team up with them. When you send a package to your clients, insert a flyer or brochure from the other business. When they send a package out to their clients, they will be inserting the flyer or brochure from your business. This can work with both businesses each sending or you can pay another business to send them out with their information. Regardless of how this is done, the cost will be cheaper than a direct mailing and you’ll be targeting the market you’re after. It’s all about leverage!

When you have a small business, advertising dollars need to be spent wisely. Therefore, it is important that with each advertising means you use, you set up a tracking system to monitor each advertising method used. This will allow you to analyze the success or failure of each approach you utilized. The outcome of each advertising campaign you enlist will help you to determine the best way to spend your advertising dollars.