Finding Home Business Customers

Inexpensive New Business Advertising Strategies

Aug 29, 2008 Beverly Lee

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) most new business owners often overlook potential customers in their own community.

These new business owners focus on expensive advertising methods better suited to large companies with matching advertising budgets. The SBA further states new home-based business owners should target capturing customers in their own community. Focusing on obtaining customers in this fashion will save them time and money on their advertising campaign, they conclude.

Let's take a closer look at this problem by discussing easy ways to attain customers for a new home based business without using expensive advertising or marketing methods. These are methods used by many successful business owners.

Business Contacts

Often former employers and co-workers will lead you to new opportunities. Write a friendly business note to your former employer about your business venture. Chat up former work mates about your home business. If your business is in a similar field try to set up a referral system with these important contacts.

Inexpensive Marketing Idea

Inform friends about your business venture. This is a good inexpensive marketing strategy for your new home-based business. For example, Home Biz Owner "A" makes beautiful earrings and bracelets. Her friends admire her artistry and talent. And often comment they would like to own a piece of her jewelry.

In this scenario Home Biz Owner "A" already has potential customers eager to buy her merchandise. A free advertising strategy.

Free Advertising

Instead of focusing on largely expensive advertising campaigns, target your relatives. A wise free advertising move. Home Biz Owner "B" is starting a babysitting service in her home. Her relatives are aware of the business. In fact, her sister has a child and is searching for an inexpensive babysitter. Home Biz owner "B" offers to babysit her sister's child. Another relative hears about her business, and before you know it, Home biz Owner "B" has two paying customers without spending a dime on advertising.

New Customers

Often your first customers are neighbors who already know about your home business. For example, Home Biz Owner "C" is thinking about starting a lawn care business. He happened to mention this to a neighbor who needs help with her lawn. She contacts Home Biz Owner "C" who establishes a relationship with her for regular lawn maintenance. Other neighbors notice him at work on her lawn and contact him. Soon Home Biz Owner "C" has acquired a dozen regular paying customers without advertising.

Word of Mouth

A satisfied customer is the best advertisement for many startups. Free "Buzz" will generate talk, interest, customers. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) goes on to state that this is a successful method used by many small business owners.

More Free Advertising Methods

carry business cards to distribute to everyone you meet. Even if they can't use your business services they might have a friend or acquaintance who might. Offer to lecture at local colleges or community centers. A few of the attendees will certainly want more information and might spread the word about you to other acquaintances. More Free Advertisement for your business.

Follow the tips in this article to get your new home based business noticed without all the extra expense.

The copyright of the article Finding Home Business Customers in Small/Home Business is owned by Beverly Lee. Permission to republish Finding Home Business Customers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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