| Let's face it. The world of having your own small | | | | schools of many varieties, and possibly even |
| business is tough. Expenses are large, and often, | | | | churches and other places of worship. Speaking at |
| revenue and cash flow are not. So the entrepreneur | | | | these types of events is an easy and often quite |
| in the small business world always has to find ways | | | | profitable way for a small business to get some |
| to be creative in how he or she markets and | | | | publicity, and in turn, free advertising. |
| advertises, with the goal of finding new local | | | | 3. It's the Small Things That Count |
| customers and better ways to increase local sales. It | | | | How many times have you been driving down the |
| is an added bonus for the business owner when | | | | road these days and seen vehicles painted or |
| publicity comes his way. Hopefully it will be positive in | | | | emblemized with a company logo? We see that |
| nature, and more than likely, it will be free. The key | | | | every day and often, those things really stick in our |
| to making this work for you, the small business | | | | heads. What an easy and cheap way to advertise |
| owner, is to develop ways to generate positive | | | | for your small business! This type of publicity draws |
| publicity about your small business, and therefore, | | | | people in, and is a great way to advertise your |
| increase your cash flow. There are several different | | | | company logo, phone number, and even web |
| ways this can be done, and with a little work and | | | | address. Make everything you do a way to advertise |
| steadfastness on your part, you will find a way to | | | | for your small business. Wear company T-shirts, put |
| turn local small business publicity into a profitable | | | | your logo on your car and your laptop, but get that |
| venture for you and your family. | | | | name out there and exposed to the public. |
| 1. Become a Feature Story | | | | 4. Use the Internet |
| One of the easiest ways to generate a little bit of | | | | This sounds easy enough, but you would be surprised |
| talk about and interest in your small business is to | | | | at the numbers of small businesses that are not |
| invite a local newspaper, magazine, or news channel | | | | taking advantage of the Internet and the multiple |
| to feature a story about you and your company. | | | | small business Internet marketing tools that are |
| This should be of no cost to you other than some | | | | available to them. Many on-line forums will allow you |
| persistence in calls to get someone interested in your | | | | to join the group and give you space for free |
| tale. These types of publications and local news | | | | introductions. This is a great chance to work your |
| shows are always looking to feature someone from | | | | company name in and have it introduced to a brand |
| the community who has a success story or some | | | | new group of people. |
| advice to offer to others, and if you can find just | | | | You Tube is available for free video for your |
| the right angle to catch and interest readers and | | | | company, and networking in general is just so |
| viewers, then they will love to publish your story for | | | | important. Once you establish some contacts, offer |
| free. On-air interviews, via television or radio, also | | | | to have a link established on your website to others |
| work well as this gives local viewers and listeners the | | | | if they will return the same favor to you. This is a |
| opportunity to see or hear with whom they would | | | | win-win situation for all who are involved. |
| be working if they were to patronize your business. | | | | 5. Freebies |
| This type of publicity is free and advantageous to all | | | | Be willing to give a little of your time. Offer free |
| parties involved, and can typically help your business | | | | estimates, customer referral plans, and other such |
| locate new customers and hopefully spark new | | | | incentives that will encourage more and more people |
| interest in the services that you have to offer. | | | | to support you and your small business venture. |
| 2. Become Active in Your Community | | | | Furthermore, make sure that you get yourself and |
| If you are not already, look for ways to get your | | | | your company listed in any free local directories that |
| voice heard within your town and neighboring | | | | are available. |
| communities. Any time you have a public forum in | | | | The small business world is tough, but manageable, |
| which to speak, you must do this. This is an | | | | with the usage of these five simple tools that can |
| absolutely free way to get your name, face, and | | | | help create a buzz about your business and provide |
| name of your business out there and to get people | | | | publicity and free advertising. Of course, advertising is |
| talking, and you may even be compensated for your | | | | so important in the business world, and if you utilize |
| time by whomever it is holding the event. Local | | | | these things along with your paid ads, your business |
| Chambers of Commerce are always hosting | | | | is sure to profit and remain a hit for many years to |
| programs at which they love having small business | | | | come. |
| owners attend and speak, as do Rotary Clubs, | | | | |