Whether your company is already open for business or you are still in the planning and development stages, knowing how to go about marketing your small business locally is vital if you want to have success later on down the road.
Many small business owners are under the mistaken impression that it is necessary to spend thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in order to effectively advertise their products and services. However, the truth is that this does not have to be the case and there are a number of ways to go about effectively getting your small business noticed without having to spend a boatload of money in the process.
Depending on your target audience and product or service, here are several low cost ways to advertise your small business in a local market:
1. Try Grocery Cart Advertising
If you are a small business trying to get the attention of a specific community, then advertising on grocery carts at a nearby supermarket can be a great way of making this happen. This is an advertising method that many business owners never consider, yet it is considered to be one of the most effective methods for small, local businesses.
Not to mention, grocery cart advertising is a very inexpensive way of advertising. In fact, some local supermarkets or grocery stores may even place the ads on carts for free in exchange for a sampling of your company’s products, if applicable.
2. Consider Having Bumper Stickers Made
One of the most common forms of low-cost advertising comes in the form of bumper stickers. These can be seen on a regular basis on the road. Think about the number of bumper stickers you see daily and how many people could become aware of your small business through the use of these stickers.
This is a very inexpensive form of advertising, and, in most cases, you can design bumper stickers and have them printed for just a few cents each, depending on the quantity that you purchase. Plus, they can be fun to design and make.
3. Design and Create Fliers
If you are looking for a way to creatively advertise without having to go to a printing company or advertising agency for assistance, consider designing and printing out your own company fliers and then tacking them up around the community.
Many supermarkets and other places of business have cork boards, bulletin boards, and other spaces where you are free to place your company’s advertisement. This is an extremely cheap way to get the word out about your small business at a local level. Be sure to include company contact information such as your address, phone number, e-mail address, and website on each ad.
4. Simply Get Involved
If you are looking to capture the attention of potential customers in your area, there is no better way to do this than to get involved in the community itself. This can involve anything from organizing a food drive to sponsoring a sports team in the area. Community members will appreciate this gesture and will be more likely to keep your small business in mind when they are in need of services or goods that you offer.
Overall, advertising for a small business does not have to be as complicated as you may think. Just be sure to keep the above tips in mind and you will be able to spread the word about your business in no time.
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Photo: Club Monaco
Jeffrey Rosenthal, Chairman and CEO of Startkart, has gained extensive experience serving the needs of small to mid-sized businesses and their owners for over twenty years. He began with a fully self-contained company, which managed it’s own commercial printing facility, in-house collection agency, and finance company. This resulted in the distribution of billions of coupons, circulating millions of copies of two different entertainment publications, the placement of thousands of community billboards, and the launch of shopping cart advertising in thousands of grocery stores. Jeffrey is an avid traveler, compassionate philanthropist, and sports enthusiast, married and a father of two.
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