Inexpensive Marketing Ideas for a Small Business

All independent contractors and small businesses have one thing in common: the marketing budget is tight. Starting your own business requires a considerable amount of startup capital due to the amount of upfront fees, licensing courses, and miscellaneous costs associated with being an independent contractor. Needless to say, when it comes to marketing and advertising you find yourself emptying your pockets looking for loose change. There's no need to worry. There are a variety of promotional ideas that are fairly inexpensive and will get you an effective return for your business:

Magnets.
As a real estate agent, one method I've used several times to attract and retain business is the use of magnets with my business card on the front. People love receiving free things, especially if it is useful. If my business card ends up on their refrigerator, then my name will be in front of them every time they go to the kitchen and they certainly won't forget my name and business. It's a simple and inexpensive marketing tool, but the return can be great. Here's the trick, though. Don't custom order your business cards from a professional print company. That can be very costly. Instead, buy the plain magnets that are business card size from Office Depot or Office Max and stick your business cards on the magnet yourself. The magnets have an adhesive on the surface that will hold the business card on.

Cross-Promote.
Find a complimentary business and cross-promote with them. For instance, as a real estate agent I found a local contracting company and asked to cross-promote a link on their website, and in return I would do the same for them. People interested in remodeling their home would visit the contractor's website and, in return, would call me up for a comparative market analysis at the same time. If you do not have a personal website and cannot afford one, you can do the same trick with business cards. Drop off a stack of cards at the front desk of the complimentary business.

Postcards.
If you want to do a direct mailing campaign, I highly recommend getting postcards printed with your picture and company name on the front. Postcards have proved to be an effective marketing tool in promoting services, new products, and special events. Letters in envelopes are less likely to be opened, and postcards have your message right on the back in just a few sentences. However, do not have the print company print a message on the back. Handwrite the message yourself. It gives the postcard a personalized touch and it will save you a few dollars from the print company. Handwritten notes will double your response rate. Also, though it's necessary to do this several times throughout the year, you can customize the cards with holiday themes as the seasons roll around.

Press-release.
Part of my business in real estate is sending out a quarterly report with all of the latest sold listings in a particular neighborhood. You can do the same thing. No matter what your business is, you can send out a press release highlighting all of the local activities and upcoming events in a particular area. But make sure you target your mailing efforts. It's impossible to send out a mailer to everyone in the city, so brand yourself to a few communities. The press release can be simple and done at home with a colored printer on one sheet of paper. Don't load the mailer down with information, but highlight upcoming events such as concerts or plays. Don't forget to include your name and business!

Festivals and trade-shows.
If your business or a complimentary business is setting up a trade show booth, find a way to join. Select a high traffic location with great visibility. Areas near restrooms and food vendors are the best spots. Once you've set up, you need to have something to hand out. The only reason that people passing by will stop at your booth to look at your company is if you're offering them something. Along with brochures advertising your company's services, hand out a variety of promotional items. Customized pens with your name and logo printed on it will cost around a dollar per pen, and they come in a variety of styles such as rollerball or ballpoint. For children, you could give out Frisbees or mini footballs bearing your company logo. They'll run you less than a dollar a piece. Audiences at trade-shows are

These are just a few inexpensive ways that you can promote your business. No matter what you do, make sure your advertising is consistent.