Advertise Your Business with Little or No Money
Get the Word out about Your Service without Spending Loads of Cash
Today, everybody is doing whatever they can to bring in the extra bucks and have a little fun at it, too; from babysitting to knitting, to computer work. Since the goal is to bring in income and not spend money in advertising your service, try these tips to help get the word out about what you offer.
Make Flyers and Hang Them up on Local Community Bulletin Boards
Make a list of where you have seen public bulletin boards that people put their flyers on. Start with a five-to-seven mile radius within your service's location. For example, if you teach any kind of movement or exercise lessons, get out your yellow pages and pick out supermarkets and health food stores. Other places that often have bulletin boards for public use are libraries, post offices, local convenience markets, delis, dry cleaners and any place else you can think of. If it looks like you might need to ask permission to post your flyer, politely do so. If the people at the location say no, do not post it. You do not want to be known as an irritant to the community. If the location is a small family run business, make a small purchase like fruit or coffee to show your support and create goodwill.
The Flyer Itself
Make your flyer attractive looking with clear fonts and photos. Follow the "who, what where and why" rules when preparing your text. Depending upon your service, you may want to put in prices, fees, tuitions or not. Make a flyer with tabs so people can tear off your contact information and prepare an informational brochure with additional information for your prospective client/customer/student.
Give a Workshop or Seminar on What You Do at Your Local Library
This is one of the best kept secrets in your community. Many libraries, depending upon their yearly budgets, have put aside "honorarium money" for speakers who can give great presentations. However, you must ask for it. Seek out the Director of Programs and either give a brief verbal proposal or written one, whatever he/she will prefer. Look in your local yellow pages for a list of all the libraries in your area that you can approach. If they do not offer an honorarium, and the Director wants to book you, do it.It is free advertising.
Most libraries will allow you to pass out business cards and promotional brochures, but alwaysask for permission first. If you have a videotape or DVD on what you do, donate a few copies to the libraries that have invited you and always send follow-up thank you cards, free or discount cerificates for your services to the staff that has helped you set up your seminar.
Remember, you represent your business, so have fun, be pleasant and good luck!
"Success is preparation meeting opportunity." Henry Hartman
go get it!
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