Free Advertising Venues for Small Businesses

Most of the people who begin small business ventures don't have a large amount of capital. Many start working from home, with only a computer and a telephone as assets. These people have big dreams, but they have one problem facing them : how to advertise.

Placing ads in newspapers can be horrendously expensive, and billboards are even more so. There are other publications and newsletters, but they charge only a little less than the newspapers. Word of mouth can only get you so far, so what's left?

Believe it or not, there are ways to advertise for free, and have your ad seen all over the country. Here are a few to begin with:

FREE ADVERTISING WEBSITES

1. www.marketingtool.com

Marketingtool.com is a venue through which you can place an ad for your business, and allow others to see it for free. They support ads in the following industries: web designers, photography, web hosting, PR, flash designers, illustrators, copywriters, videography, and search engine optimization (SEO). They also offer a service through which you can place a link to them on your website, and they will actually recommend your business to consumers. It is called a "reciprocal link" and also gains you entrance into the state-wide directory. You can't ask for more than that!

If you have some cash, you can also update your subscription to a "featured listing". This gives you access to greater lead-generating services, and puts you at the top of the list in their city and state directories. The price varies based on location and availability; for example, if you live in New Jersey, and there is a 5th place listing available, your price will be different than if you live in New York and there is a 1st place listing available. The featured listing will not necessarily turn a greater profit; this depends on your industry, your location, and how many companies appear above and below you in the heirarchy.

2.  www.pr.com