"What are some cheap but effective advertising ideas for a small company?"

Asked by royalking 30 months ago

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I am a currently established small business and am looking for some cheap advertising ideas. Here is what I have tried:

1) Fliers: Driving by people's houses and throwing a rolled-up rubber banded flier inside of a paper protector on their driveway as I drive by

2) Craigslist

3) Small Bumper Magnet on Car

The fliers have been most effective although it seems very awkward leaving them out. If I do, I usually do it at night when no one is active... but I always feel like a criminal.

Any other ideas?


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"How about..."
 by SOTWord on Jul 25 2007 (30 months ago)
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1. Setting up a table at community events.  Make and hand out Frisbee's with your logo. (very cheap about $.90 each) Pencils, pads, etc.,

 

2. Catholic churches sell small advertisments on their bulletins (most of them anyways)  They usually reach a large audience for a small price

 

3. Coupon's if that works for your business.  Hire a teen to tuck ads under car windows in the mall parking lot or to hand out your fliers.

 

4. College bulletin boards

 

5. Give away food if it is not a food business.

 

6. Participate in some type of contest which will get you free advertisments.

 

7. Have your business participate in some significant community service project and have the media cover it.

 

8. If applicable, have some sort of reward system for satisfied customers who refer friends.  Word of mouth is huge and very effective if you can find a way to utilize it.

 

I hope this helps.

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"inexpensive advertising"
 by googleymoo on Jul 26 2007 (30 months ago)
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Post your business cards in places where this is allowed.  Some restaurants and community centers have this.  Also, other small businesses in your area, if any, can help you.  Offer to reciprocate - e.g. if you have a handyman business and you locate someone who makes curtains, then copy their business card (or even tape it) to the receipt you provide your customer.  Ask the other business to do the same with your card.  Rotate cards if you have more than one business ally.

 

Since the only thing more important than location is reputation, one must choose their business allies who are honest to the core and customer focused.

 

Hope this helps - this is but one of hundreds of suggestions, too numerous to list here.
Sources: Business owner, BBA degree
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"Local service organizations can help in getting out the word about your business."
 by newbie1259956 on Jul 31 2007 (30 months ago)
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I have three suggestions:
1.) Join a local service organization such as Kiwanis or Lion's Club or somesuch. When you are introduced seek out the older members and ask their advice in spreading the word of your new business. Ask them how they got started.

2.) If you are an alumni of a college or even a high school put in an announcement in their alumni publications. You might also consider joining Classmates on the internet. They have a way you can make announcements.

3.) Take a look at the books:

Guerrilla Marketing for the New Millennium: Lessons from the Father of Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson (Paperback - Sep 15, 2005)

and

Guerrilla Marketing Weapons: 100 Affordable Marketing Methods by Jay Conrad Levinson (Paperback - Nov 1, 1990)

Take a look at the several other books by Jay Conrad Levinson that are in addition to the two above. You can find these books in new or used editions at amazon.com
Sources: my opinion
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Latest post on this question's discussion board:

I show businesses how to market the people they already serve through relationship marketing. One of the best ways to do this is by sending greeting cards to your current clients and let them know you are thinking of them. Also, let them know how they can help you. But writing cards takes a long time.. until now. Try sending a couple of cards for free and tell me how you like it.

www.TheGreetingCardExpert.com

Jose@TheGreetingCardExpert.com
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