Advertising! As a small business owner you know you need it, but it can sometimes be a catch-22. You don't want to spend a lot of money advertising your business, but if you don't advertise you won't make any money.
Fortunately, there are a lot of easy ways you can stick to your budget and get the word out about what you have to offer, especially online. Online advertising is one of the easiest ways to spread the message about your business, but there are right and wrong ways to do it. If you're spending a lot of money on advertising, do an audit of your spending. You might be spending a lot more than you need to. For example, many new small business owners start spending money on pay per click advertising without checking their spending. They'll bid on a ton of keywords that they think are related to their sites and then they let their PPC ads run 24/7. A strategy like this will run you into the poor house pretty quickly! Look at what is giving you the most bang for your buck, advertising wise, and then cut out all of the rest. You can always expand more when you have more money coming into your business. PPC isn't the right place to start for new small business owners.
There are plenty of opportunities for free advertising online that will have much bigger returns on your investment. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Idea #1 - eBooks
eBooks are digital books that can help you promote your business and inform your target market about what you have to offer. You can write eBooks or have them written and then submit them to free eBook directories. People can download them for free and learn more about what you have to offer.
Idea #2 - Banner Exchanges
Try a banner exchange with another website owner who promotes a complimentary product or service. It's modern day equivalent of word of mouth advertising! Have a graphic designer create a professional banner to advertise your site. Although this will add to your advertising budget you can use it again and again in the future.
Idea #3 - E-mail marketing
E-mail marketing is very low cost compared to other forms of advertising. All you have to do it get the recipient's permission to send your advertising e-mails. Give your website visitors a free eBook or short e-course in exchange for their e-mail address. After that you can send them messages about the benefits of your business, special reports and discounts. The bottom line here is to remember that if you use these free (and cheap) methods of advertising, you can really boost your profits! Tricia Mischler is a home business coach and owner of The Blue Jean CEO, the definitive resource for new entrepreneurs. To learn more about starting your own successful business, visit http://www.thebluejeanceo.com and pick up a copy of your free report "7 Biggest Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make When They Get Started."
Fortunately, there are a lot of easy ways you can stick to your budget and get the word out about what you have to offer, especially online. Online advertising is one of the easiest ways to spread the message about your business, but there are right and wrong ways to do it. If you're spending a lot of money on advertising, do an audit of your spending. You might be spending a lot more than you need to. For example, many new small business owners start spending money on pay per click advertising without checking their spending. They'll bid on a ton of keywords that they think are related to their sites and then they let their PPC ads run 24/7. A strategy like this will run you into the poor house pretty quickly! Look at what is giving you the most bang for your buck, advertising wise, and then cut out all of the rest. You can always expand more when you have more money coming into your business. PPC isn't the right place to start for new small business owners.
There are plenty of opportunities for free advertising online that will have much bigger returns on your investment. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Idea #1 - eBooks
eBooks are digital books that can help you promote your business and inform your target market about what you have to offer. You can write eBooks or have them written and then submit them to free eBook directories. People can download them for free and learn more about what you have to offer.
Idea #2 - Banner Exchanges
Try a banner exchange with another website owner who promotes a complimentary product or service. It's modern day equivalent of word of mouth advertising! Have a graphic designer create a professional banner to advertise your site. Although this will add to your advertising budget you can use it again and again in the future.
Idea #3 - E-mail marketing
E-mail marketing is very low cost compared to other forms of advertising. All you have to do it get the recipient's permission to send your advertising e-mails. Give your website visitors a free eBook or short e-course in exchange for their e-mail address. After that you can send them messages about the benefits of your business, special reports and discounts. The bottom line here is to remember that if you use these free (and cheap) methods of advertising, you can really boost your profits! Tricia Mischler is a home business coach and owner of The Blue Jean CEO, the definitive resource for new entrepreneurs. To learn more about starting your own successful business, visit http://www.thebluejeanceo.com and pick up a copy of your free report "7 Biggest Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make When They Get Started."
Blue-Collared Professionals Diving Into Internet Pool
As we enter a new decade, you would think that everyone and their brother are now taking up residence in the world of the internet. Kids are learning with online learning tools, teenagers are playing online games, college kids are tweeting, adults are emailing right and left, and grand-parents are chatting and video conferencing with their grand-children. This can be overwhelming for the middle-aged electricians, builders, mechanics, and 'do-it-yourself' tool bandits. I'm talking about the people who don't want to touch a computer with a 10-foot pole. What they don't know is how powerful the internet can be for their needs. They too can take advantage of searching, social networking, and online shopping, but to suit their needs.
Are you looking for designs or plans? Websites such as HomeDepot.com and Lowes.com provide great ideas, designs, and starting points for your needs. Do you have a problem that you can't figure out on your own? Using a search service such as Ask.com or Google.com will allow you to ask questions that others can answer for you. Do you want ideas on your 'do it yourself' needs? Now, you can ask questions, get advice, and provide input on forums such as DIYChat.com or ContractorTalk.com.
Do you want to expand your contracting business? Posting free classified ads on websites such as CraigsList.org will easily expand your visibility. Do you want to follow what is going on with your favorite tool companies? Jumping to social networking websites such as Facebook.com allows you much more than connecting with old friends. You can also follow your favorite tool companies to find out what new products are coming out, learn about discounts, or give feedback on products. Do you want the best tools? Now, there isn't a need to run down to the hardware store to only see cheap tools. Today, you can use the internet to find high quality professional tools at discounted prices. Not only can you find the tools you want, you can shop multiple stores to find the best prices, give feedback on the tools you have, and research new products.
Do you want to sell some of your old clutter in your workshop? Using a service such as eBay.com allows you to sell anything and get cash in your pocket. Those that have feared technology should embrace what the internet has to offer. More than likely, you are paying for the service anyway! Your only problem now is how to get time on the computer or laptop when your kids are chatting and tweeting back and forth!
Are you looking for designs or plans? Websites such as HomeDepot.com and Lowes.com provide great ideas, designs, and starting points for your needs. Do you have a problem that you can't figure out on your own? Using a search service such as Ask.com or Google.com will allow you to ask questions that others can answer for you. Do you want ideas on your 'do it yourself' needs? Now, you can ask questions, get advice, and provide input on forums such as DIYChat.com or ContractorTalk.com.
Do you want to expand your contracting business? Posting free classified ads on websites such as CraigsList.org will easily expand your visibility. Do you want to follow what is going on with your favorite tool companies? Jumping to social networking websites such as Facebook.com allows you much more than connecting with old friends. You can also follow your favorite tool companies to find out what new products are coming out, learn about discounts, or give feedback on products. Do you want the best tools? Now, there isn't a need to run down to the hardware store to only see cheap tools. Today, you can use the internet to find high quality professional tools at discounted prices. Not only can you find the tools you want, you can shop multiple stores to find the best prices, give feedback on the tools you have, and research new products.
Do you want to sell some of your old clutter in your workshop? Using a service such as eBay.com allows you to sell anything and get cash in your pocket. Those that have feared technology should embrace what the internet has to offer. More than likely, you are paying for the service anyway! Your only problem now is how to get time on the computer or laptop when your kids are chatting and tweeting back and forth!
