Comments on: 10 Free Advertising Ideas http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/ Small Business Branding and Marketing Advice and Commentary Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:07:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Home Income Kit http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-335592 Home Income Kit Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:41:10 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-335592 How much time should it take me? How much time should it take me?

]]> By: Kim http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-329686 Kim Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:18:39 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-329686 I like going to grocery stores and posting a bright poster of my business..It actually works great! I like going to grocery stores and posting a bright poster of my business..It actually works great!

]]> By: Mark http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-322687 Mark Tue, 04 May 2010 23:08:58 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-322687 I have tried many advertising programs for my restaurant. Some were great and some were not. I have to brag about one that I really love. www.cheaplocaldeals.com lets us (and other restaurants, spas etc) advertise on their website totally free. The deal is we agreed to let them sell a coupon that we deeply discounted. In our case we let them sell a $25 coupon for $9. The $9 went to them but they set it up so the user agreed to spend at least $35 to redeem it. It turned out the guest usually ended up spending $40 or $50 anyway. The discount I honored was well worth it and I get about 200 customers a month from it. My ad is free but they make their money when they sell a coupon which is fine by me and safer than the $3,000 I spend in the newspaper and only got a few responses. Anyway, had to share it. I have tried many advertising programs for my restaurant. Some were great and some were not. I have to brag about one that I really love. http://www.cheaplocaldeals.com lets us (and other restaurants, spas etc) advertise on their website totally free. The deal is we agreed to let them sell a coupon that we deeply discounted. In our case we let them sell a $25 coupon for $9. The $9 went to them but they set it up so the user agreed to spend at least $35 to redeem it. It turned out the guest usually ended up spending $40 or $50 anyway. The discount I honored was well worth it and I get about 200 customers a month from it. My ad is free but they make their money when they sell a coupon which is fine by me and safer than the $3,000 I spend in the newspaper and only got a few responses. Anyway, had to share it.

]]> By: Nick http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-277818 Nick Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:51:23 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-277818 I am a website designer working for a company called <a href="http://www.altecdesign.com" rel="nofollow"> <b>Altec Design.</b></a> One thing we do to ensure customer satisfaction is call one random customer a day. These customers are always glad to hear from us and think it's great we are checking in on them. This is a useful tip for any business with an ongoing client base! I am a website designer working for a company called Altec Design. One thing we do to ensure customer satisfaction is call one random customer a day. These customers are always glad to hear from us and think it’s great we are checking in on them. This is a useful tip for any business with an ongoing client base!

]]> By: jason http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-270205 jason Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:02:46 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-270205 Another idea is putting your company name on your vehicle. If your vehicle is constantly driving around your area of business, you can get calls directly off it but what is more is that people see your name in combination with other methods of advertising. There is more on my website <a href="http://www.how-to-start-a-lawn-care-business.com" rel="nofollow">How to Start A Lawn Care Business</a> Another idea is putting your company name on your vehicle. If your vehicle is constantly driving around your area of business, you can get calls directly off it but what is more is that people see your name in combination with other methods of advertising. There is more on my website How to Start A Lawn Care Business

]]> By: kris http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-267173 kris Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:30:01 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-267173 I just found your site and I like the ideas. I am only beginning to think about selling fresh foods and a few other things and there are many ways in which I can begin to find and retain customers and to also grow my business venture into what I want it to be within within five years. Being that I would be selling produce, seasonally, while at farmers markets, along roadsides or in other places, I will make sure to have a nice flyer with an attached business card with all of the things I sell and their prices that I can drop into each customer's bag like stores and others conducting business do in order to ensure that even after the sale is over that (they) may contact me whenever they are looking to purchase more produce or other goods. I just found your site and I like the ideas. I am only beginning to think about selling fresh foods and a few other things and there are many ways in which I can begin to find and retain customers and to also grow my business venture into what I want it to be within within five years. Being that I would be selling produce, seasonally, while at farmers markets, along roadsides or in other places, I will make sure to have a nice flyer with an attached business card with all of the things I sell and their prices that I can drop into each customer’s bag like stores and others conducting business do in order to ensure that even after the sale is over that (they) may contact me whenever they are looking to purchase more produce or other goods.

]]> By: J.R. Augustine http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-252295 J.R. Augustine Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:27:12 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-252295 I especially like the idea of offering free training. Home improvement stores have been doing this for years and people love it. I especially like the idea of offering free training. Home improvement stores have been doing this for years and people love it.

]]> By: Leah http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-192270 Leah Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:04:45 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-192270 Thanks for this! It has helped me get advertising out to my custom made jewelry, of course it's not lawn mowing but there are a lot of great tips here that can be applied to any trade. Thanks for this! It has helped me get advertising out to my custom made jewelry, of course it’s not lawn mowing but there are a lot of great tips here that can be applied to any trade.

]]> By: n.kateus http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-160836 n.kateus Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:50:15 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-160836 OMG; once in a while I find something that is so to-the-point, reasonable, and logical that I can't believe I didn't think of it myself ( biiggg grin ). Jeff Wolf's story is exceptionally helpful and applicable to so many things that I personally want to accomplish. Whatta guy! Thanks for sharing this great experience. OMG; once in a while I find something that is so to-the-point, reasonable, and logical that I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself ( biiggg grin ). Jeff Wolf’s story is exceptionally helpful and applicable to so many things that I personally want to accomplish. Whatta guy! Thanks for sharing this great experience.

]]> By: C.Hinds http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-88869 C.Hinds Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:57:58 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-88869 I found the article, as well as many of the comment posts, helpful. Definitely a breath of fresh air as far as some of my advertising questions and quandaries are concerned. Ideas such as the award for "blah" going to non-"blah" person or group was great fun, implemented differently I like the idea of the thank-you business cards as well. And some are right in saying that these tactics will not work for every business or every situation but, as said above by others, if you add a little creativity and your own touch on some of these ideas they could prove fairly useful. Not to mention attract a bit of attention. Which is exactly what you want. Sometimes you have to take a little risk and travel a bit off the path to obtain the results you desire. Much luck to all, Houseplant Helpers, "Helping you help your plants" I found the article, as well as many of the comment posts, helpful. Definitely a breath of fresh air as far as some of my advertising questions and quandaries are concerned. Ideas such as the award for “blah” going to non-”blah” person or group was great fun, implemented differently I like the idea of the thank-you business cards as well. And some are right in saying that these tactics will not work for every business or every situation but, as said above by others, if you add a little creativity and your own touch on some of these ideas they could prove fairly useful. Not to mention attract a bit of attention. Which is exactly what you want. Sometimes you have to take a little risk and travel a bit off the path to obtain the results you desire. Much luck to all,
Houseplant Helpers, “Helping you help your plants”

]]> By: Skyte Media http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-88106 Skyte Media Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:17:33 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-88106 Your comments were interesting and useful. However, I think you underestimate the power of internet advertising via a website. For example, look at how many people below have benefited from your comments above...this would have been impossible without posting your ideas on the internet. There are so many webdesign packages floating around that any business has a chance of getting hold of a decent one to suit their needs. It has been proved that a website is one of, if not the most, sucessful way of providing advertising solutions. Your comments were interesting and useful. However, I think you underestimate the power of internet advertising via a website. For example, look at how many people below have benefited from your comments above…this would have been impossible without posting your ideas on the internet. There are so many webdesign packages floating around that any business has a chance of getting hold of a decent one to suit their needs.

It has been proved that a website is one of, if not the most, sucessful way of providing advertising solutions.

]]> By: Thomas http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-81937 Thomas Wed, 25 Jul 2007 22:20:32 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-81937 I tell you innitiative is the key. I worked for a sunroom company and they told us pretty much go to our neighbors and give them free estimates. Well that worked really well, especially since they seen how good our product was.Now i wonder to my self i have an online website called www.kinsonsurveillance.com so i dont know how much of this will be helpful to me any ideas ? I tell you innitiative is the key. I worked for a sunroom company and they told us pretty much go to our neighbors and give them free estimates. Well that worked really well, especially since they seen how good our product was.Now i wonder to my self i have an online website called http://www.kinsonsurveillance.com so i dont know how much of this will be helpful to me any ideas ?

]]> By: MAX http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-77650 MAX Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:20:04 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-77650 here's alittle something more for u , i do this with my companys ,, for safety i give out safety awards to people that are not my customers ,,, for customer service i give customer service awards to people that are not my customers,,, in stores , when eating out, at wal mart , and in the streets ,,, why ????? i have made some one happy ,, now what r they going to do with that award ,, think about it ,,, they are going to tell every one right? now u made some one happy and u r getting talked about to everyone,, now thats imagination baby oh by the way for the lawn guys out there well how about an award for the best lawn in town ,, YEP THEY WILL TALK TO EVERY ONE well i have to go hope i helped many of u with opening your imagination doors from max here’s alittle something more for u , i do this with my companys ,, for safety i give out safety awards to people that are not my customers ,,, for customer service i give customer service awards to people that are not my customers,,, in stores , when eating out, at wal mart , and in the streets ,,, why ?????
i have made some one happy ,, now what r they going to do with that award ,, think about it ,,,
they are going to tell every one right?
now u made some one happy and u r getting talked about to everyone,, now thats imagination baby
oh by the way for the lawn guys out there well how about an award for the best lawn in town ,, YEP THEY WILL TALK TO EVERY ONE well i have to go hope i helped many of u with opening your imagination doors
from max

]]> By: MAX http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-77648 MAX Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:53:59 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-77648 running a company is what works for that type of company when it comes to marketing it, its hard work doing this.but just because something works for a nother company does not mean it will work for yours i run a safety and customer service company , try to market that one.u must have a clear mind to be creative.knowlege is not what it takes , it takes imagination , with out that u have nothing. i have owned many companys , and it may sound weird but no matter what type of company u have , if u r not ready u will not have the imagination u need to build the power . from MAX running a company is what works for that type of company when it comes to marketing it, its hard work doing this.but just because something works for a nother company does not mean it will work for yours
i run a safety and customer service company , try to market that one.u must have a clear mind to be creative.knowlege is not what it takes , it takes imagination , with out that u have nothing. i have owned many companys , and it may sound weird but no matter what type of company u have , if u r not ready u will not have the imagination u need to build the power . from MAX

]]> By: Mediator Tech » Mediation Resources Roundup, December 2006 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-41175 Mediator Tech » Mediation Resources Roundup, December 2006 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 19:25:01 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-41175 [...] 10 Free Advertising Ideas: One terrific little article…mediators can (and should) do just what the landscaper’s doing. [...] [...] 10 Free Advertising Ideas: One terrific little article…mediators can (and should) do just what the landscaper’s doing. [...]

]]> By: Nick http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-22349 Nick Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:30:20 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-22349 You have to realize that all of these ideas wont work for everyone. The main reason I believe this is because not everyone could be considered a "people" person. Some people have better social skills than others. In my company my primary role is PR. I'm good with people. I'm sure not everyone loves me, but 90% of customers ask to speak with me directly. I often hear "I really don't like [that other guy] that that works there." Work on your people skills! :) You have to realize that all of these ideas wont work for everyone. The main reason I believe this is because not everyone could be considered a “people” person. Some people have better social skills than others. In my company my primary role is PR. I’m good with people. I’m sure not everyone loves me, but 90% of customers ask to speak with me directly. I often hear “I really don’t like [that other guy] that that works there.” Work on your people skills! :)

]]> By: ECommerceNerd http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-10124 ECommerceNerd Thu, 08 Feb 2007 10:11:05 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-10124 Nice tips for a local small business. Nice tips for a local small business.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-8991 Kelly Sat, 23 Dec 2006 03:13:52 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-8991 Thanks for the great article! I am going to implement these ideas right away. One more simple idea you might want to try is having a "thank you" business card. On one side of the card it states something like "Thank you for your professionalism and excellent service, it was a pleasure to have met you." Then on the other side it has your business card information with, "If you are looking for the same professionalism and service that you provided I would love to have the chance to work with you in the future" This way you do not come off as pushy as if you were just to hand someone your business card out of the blue. Plus it makes an even better impact if you are leaving it with a tip! Thanks for the great article! I am going to implement these ideas right away. One more simple idea you might want to try is having a “thank you” business card. On one side of the card it states something like “Thank you for your professionalism and excellent service, it was a pleasure to have met you.” Then on the other side it has your business card information with, “If you are looking for the same professionalism and service that you provided I would love to have the chance to work with you in the future” This way you do not come off as pushy as if you were just to hand someone your business card out of the blue. Plus it makes an even better impact if you are leaving it with a tip!

]]> By: BadAss Shoemaker http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-8872 BadAss Shoemaker Thu, 30 Nov 2006 22:45:57 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-8872 Man I tried half of these things and they didn't work. Classes! Come on. Man I tried half of these things and they didn’t work. Classes! Come on.

]]> By: Jim Peake http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/free-advertising-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-8850 Jim Peake Wed, 29 Nov 2006 01:41:08 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/586/effective-free-advertising/#comment-8850 good luck with your landscaping biz, here is another top 10 list to use word of mouth marketing. this is being released by womma.org tomorrow. good luck with your landscaping biz, here is another top 10 list to use word of mouth marketing. this is being released by womma.org tomorrow.

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