For Small Business Owners-- What Are Some of Your Best Marketing Tips?

biggest challenge of any owner is getting out of that mentality of "I work for someone else so someone else will get it done".

Too many owners forget they are the grunt, secretary, research and development, ceo, coo, accountant, advertising, marketing, etc. Gotta think outside the box and really start watching the market, trends of people, time of year, etc.

You spend money all over the place in marketing. But when it comes down to it...there are 2 main things your customers will touch, hands on, that can leave a lasting impression that will gain more business.

1. web site

2. business cards

years ago I went all out and did some super nice, very thick and hard card stock, at least 5 times thicker than average business card. I then had a graphic artist do all the layout and artwork and had it digitized at a very high dpi resolution and then the cards covered in like a clearcoat.

Each card ended up costing me $0.68 cents a piece....way above the normal but I wasn't giving these out in the 1000's. Most were one on one handing out and every single person commented on the card. It held their attention past that "glace and toss the card aside" and that is key.

The web site...again I went all out but I didn't hire anyone. Since I already knew how to do sites I sat down and really thought out what should be on the site. I put down indepth info, prices, why's and how's of my industry, etc. Really beefed it up with info, facts and a ton of pictures to prove my points.

Again I had a high level of comments on the site for ease of use and the amount of info available, many said the site had answered so many of their questions. Doing this showed my customers I knew what I was doing and talking about. And when someone is happy about something....they spread the word.

Each item here, if done right, focused on your market and really thought out on a personal level...can easily increase sales by up to 15% alone.

The best marketing tip is free advertising. Not just word of mouth but Press Releases are a great way to get the word out about your company. Start thinking like the big companies. When you have limited amount of funds you need to generate a buzz about your business to bring in business. Flyers work great too. There are many challenges to a small business person. Most challenges always equate to money and most small business owners really don't concentrate on marketing. It is the after thought. Can you imagine if those business that went out of business did some marketing all the time they might be still in business?

It's about branding. You want to earn a reputation for quality, image, and/or whatever it takes to reach your target market. The only options you have in business is to either fill an existing need or create a need. You need to get the word out on how your product or service fills the needs of your target market. Unless people (or businesses) know you are out there, you cannot possibly succeed. Always remember that it's as easy to get a bad reputation as a good one so treat your customers with respect. Let them know you're in business to help them, not to help yourself. I found a great book at the library called "Marketing without Money" by Nicholas E Bade that offers 300 free and low cost ways to get your product, service or more importantly brand out there to the consumers.

Marketing is the greatest challenge for small business owners. If you are confident of successful marketing then you'll make a lot of money on the interent.

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Depending on your business, the Internet is my best marketing tool. Biggest challenge...Capital, make sure you have a marketing budget.

Look up the link for more information on marketing your business.

http://www.excelyourbiz.com/