imisidro
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Word of mouth is the BEST way to promote a business for free. You don't spend a dime, but word gets around about your business and more people learn about your business.
Word of mouth is generated through excellent customer service where satisfied customers refer your business to their friends, who in turn refer your business to others. Endorsements from "opinion leaders" can also create tremendous buzz for your business. Media is also great in creating buzz for your business - pitch a news-worthy angle of your business, yourself or your product to make media editors excited enough to feature you in their publication.
Here are some articles on how to generate excellent word of mouth for your new business:
Book Summary: Secrets of Word Of Mouth Marketing http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol154/wordofmouth.htm
Effective Word of Mouth Strategies for Your Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol134/methods.htm
How to Spur Word of Mouth http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol134/word.htm
Create the Buzz for Your Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol43/buzz.htm
You may also want to consider other low-cost promotional strategies listed on the following articles:
Low-Cost Promotional Strategies for Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol149/promotion.htm
Effective Marketing Strategies that Don't Break the Bank http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol16/effective.htm
How to Promote Your Business with Limited Marketing Budget http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol113/budget.htm |
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melvinschmugmeier
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word of mouth, shoe-leather express |
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dx2000fan
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Check with your local paper, see if they could do a story on your business. This is one way for them to get a nice story, plus it gives you some advertisement for free. They could also do a free press release maybe. |
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Brown Eyed CEO
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You should go to the library and check out a book called "Marketing without Megabucks" by Shel Horowitz. the 1st link is to his website "frugal marketing" he has TONS of great free and very low cost ideas for marketing.
I would also suggest tying your company in some way to a local charity. I work at a FOX Affiliate and we do tons of "Human Interest" stories every night.
Call all of your local stations and ask for the name of the assignment editor (they are the ones that choose wheich stories get coverage).
If you can donate an item from your business or your time or $ (does not have to be a lot) write up a one pager (press release) and you can get instant free advertising.
Also check out your local SCORE chapter, they will give you advise on how to grow your business and the volunteers time is free.
Good Luck |
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to_the_hurricave
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I am preparing to go live with an online business and I need to advertise as well, and as cheap as possible. I have some friends that live throughout the midwest and I am going to send them a advertisement that I made in Microsoft Word and have them print it off and tack it on bulletin boards. Like the user before me said, word of mouth is the best.
In addition, I went to Wal-Mart and bought some of the business card pages so you can print your own business card and I have been giving those to people left and right. Every little bit helps.
If you are starting an online business or have a web site, you can submit your web site to search engines for like $80/year. It really works as I have done it for years. Go to http://www.submitfire.com.
I hope this helps. |
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wasdadd
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Denise: write me here at yahoo email. |
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fluffy
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place a free on-line classified ad on the website below
http://allsolutionsnetwork.com/AA/AA31108
NOTE:AA/AA31108 IN CAPITALS |
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4knowledge
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Free is next to impossible. Close to free is possible.
Offer discounts to anyone who brings in additional business (new customers).
Write a press release about the opening of your new business (PRWEB will distribute).
Send a press release to your local media.
Mail discount coupons to the nearest customers (start getting their names, addresses and emails to send out future specials, etc).
Fax an "Open for Business" flyer to your most likely customers (if B2B).
Make sure you have a web presence. For $350 you can create a site that is absolutely amazing. See link below.
Join a networking group or two so that you can share your new business (ideas) with others.
Do you have business cards? If not, get some. If so, give them to everyone you see. |
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ColorfuLady
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Knowing the nature of your business helps. Consider rewording your question. A product based business could provide promotional give away or demonstration of products. A service based business may use a way different approach. I would love to see your new question so I could really help. I have been in a service based business for 33 years and NEVER have I paid a dime for advertising, promotion or marketing. |
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