So, you’ve finally decided to take a leap of faith and venture out into the world of entrepreneurship. Good for you. Now as you go through all of the rigmarole necessary to become a legitimate business, you will quickly find out one thing for sure. It’s expensive. As if you haven’t already put a lot of money into your dream already, one of the most critical and expensive areas in business ownership is waiting to be addressed.
Let’s face it; your business needs to grow. But, for that to happen, you must sow the seeds of familiarity. You may have the greatest product this side of the hemisphere, but without customers, it will just be your little secret. You must find an inexpensive way to advertise. Do something that can effectively get the message out, and bring the money in. Most of all, something that won’t put you in more debt than you already are. Here are a few tips to get you on the right track:
1. You’re a small business that is just starting to spread its wings, but that doesn’t mean that it’s ready to fly. The most inexpensive way to advertise is word of mouth. Take business cards wherever you go. If you don’t have any, make some. They’re not just to make you look business-like. Those are a form of advertising. Speak to those individuals you come across that may have a need for your services or product. If they don’t have a need, they may know someone who will. Give out two to three cards at a time. That way they can distribute your card to friends and keep one for themselves.
2. Just as you are a small business trying to make a living, there are others out there just like you. Maybe, just maybe the two or three of you can work out a deal that saves you all some cash. Pamphlets, business cards, and posters can be displayed at each other’s business. Viola! Instant advertisement. Most of all, it’s usually free.
3. If you have looked into posting an ad in the local yellow pages you have learned something of great value. It’s ridiculously expensive! If your business is not large enough to warrant that type of expensive advertising, I recommend this alternative. If you are a member of a church, organization, or know of someone else who is, it’s likely they have some sort of business directory. Usually, the cost is very minimal to post an add in something like this, and compared to your local phone directory its dirt cheap.
4. Finally, if you’ve looked into possibly getting a website you’ve found that this to may be expensive. If you are not computer savvy and wouldn’t know where to start, look into other small business startups like yours. A lot of times their fees and rates are much less expensive than businesses that have been overcharging its customers for years. Negotiate your costs. You will find that other small businesses will be willing to do that just to get your business. Online advertising is fastly becoming the overall choice of advertising by small and large businesses alike. Don’t be scared away by over priced bullies.
These are just a few tips that can get you started in the right direction. There are plenty more ways to save a dollar in this anti small business economy. For more tips on how to save money for your small business, subscribe to this blog and receive more helpful articles like this one.
