Daily Marketing Thoughts

Get Busy and Sell!

Have you ever noticed how the beginning of a new year makes you feel energized for creating new business opportunities? Aren't you just a little more excited about taking your business to new heights? I know I am. And that's what I'm concentrating on this month. My goal is to take each of my ideas, and find a way to market it to new groups of potential customers. After all, there really is only two things you should spend the majority of your working hours doing: marketing and selling!
With the many marketing and advertising options available today, it really is a small businesses dream. I remember with one of my businesses back in the mid 1990's I consistently would spend thousands of dollars on several ads in local magazines. Some paid off. Some didn't. But what I learned from that is to test everything you do, and find new ways of getting your name in front of new people.

Having trouble thinking of ways of getting your name out inexpensively? Try these 5 ideas. As you try out each of these, be aware of other opportunities that present themselves to you.

Have you ever placed a several thousand dollar ad in a magazine, and never received as much as a phone call. Ouch. It's hard wasting that kind of money as a small business owner. Instead, try the classified ads. Most trade publications and specialty magazines have classified ads in the back section. For under $100 you can usually place a good-sized ad. And you can change the wording around for every publication.
Find message boards to post on. Message boards are a great resource. They're usually f+ree, and you can put your information in front of thousands of viewers.
When you find a great message board, see if you can advertise on it. Many message boards have banner placements along the sides. They use advertising to keep the message board f+ree, and usually have low cost advertising rates.
Advertise in other ezines that reach the same audience as you. Check out www.DirectoryOfEzines.com to find thousands of ezines.
When you find ezines that target the same audience as you, contact the owner. Other small business owners are also open to new ideas. Can you create a strategic partnership to sell products to both of your clients? Many great products have been created by two companies joining forces for one project.
These 5 ideas should create a wealth of opportunity for you over the next week. Let me know your results - I'd love to hear from you.

posted by Lori O @ 6:29 PM