Quick, Easy, and (Relatively) Cheap Ways to Promote Your Business

1. Business cards: Create a one-sentence explanation of your business or product, and have it printed on the card along with the name of your business and contact information. Print these yourself if money is really tight, but it is always better to have professionally printed cards. Your card represents you. Often it makes a first impression on your behalf. Make sure it delivers the message you want clients and potential clients to get.

2. Send press releases to your local newspapers and regional magazines. There are numerous resources on the web to help you learn to write a press release.

3. Offer yourself as a speaker to groups and clubs that are appropriate. This establishes you as an expert in your field, and exposes your name and your company’s name to a wide audience of people who might not know about you otherwise. Remember - you aren’t there to give them a sales pitch, but to give them information. If your business is a flower shop, you might offer a quick how-to in floral arranging. Tell an anecdote about getting started in the florist business (so they’ll know you are in the business), and leave a few business cards behind.

4. Join business and professional organizations. You can learn a lot from other businesspeople. In addition, your professional acquaintances may open up promotional opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise hear about.

5. Send out letters, notes, postcards, newsletters, or catalogs. Send these to clients, potential clients, friends, family, and groups who might be interested in what you have to offer.

6. Provide free giveaways with your company info on them. Try to make these tie in to your business or product. For example, if you have a computer-related business, you might give away mouse pads with your company name and information. A bookstore owner might offer bookmarks with the store name and address. Write and print a brochure or booklet with helpful tips related to the area your business covers.