| In a rough economy it is imperative that a small | | | | slow days by simply sending quick promotion emails to |
| business owner generates enough business to prosper | | | | our databases. |
| yet do so in such a way that it does not break the | | | | 3. If your business has been established on the internet, |
| bank account. The great news is that there are | | | | then extra steps must be taken to ensure that your |
| creative ways to market your small business that will | | | | potential customers can find you. Optimization of your |
| generate sales as well as keep you in the black | | | | website is extremely important and must not be taken |
| financially. | | | | lightly. Your site is useless if your potential customers |
| 1. If you are selling product on the internet do not | | | | cannot find you. Invest time to learn about Search |
| overlook the value of email marketing. Email is a very | | | | engine optimization or SEO. If time is an issue, invest |
| effective tool that allows you to reach people | | | | money to hire a search engine optimization specialist. |
| worldwide at little or no cost. In the email or newsletter | | | | You can also go on online to research simple SEO |
| you send out to your customers or prospects, you | | | | techniques. To quickly get your business listed go to to |
| may want to include information about any new | | | | get your business listed. |
| product or service you are offering and any discounts | | | | 4. When marketing your product are your potential |
| you may have for that month. Keep it short and simple | | | | customers. Many times companies limit themselves in |
| and always give them something to laugh about. A | | | | whom they are targeting. This is a large mistake. If at |
| cute cartoon quip, an interesting or unusual fact, even a | | | | all possible never limit your marketing strategies to just |
| "joke of the day" will boost the results you receive | | | | one group of people. Look for the hidden niches within |
| from the newsletter. | | | | your niche. If you have a product geared toward |
| 2. Keep in mind that this doesn't only apply to internet | | | | retiree's your audience may also include folks nearing |
| businesses. You can also use this strategy in your | | | | retirement, folks planning for their retirement and for |
| bricks and mortar business. For example, there is a | | | | people who know folks in either of these categories. |
| very popular breakfast place in the city where I live. | | | | 5. Community interaction is very important to every |
| They collect email addresses in exchange for free | | | | small business. Remember to get involved in their |
| coffee or sometimes a discount to meals. I consider | | | | community to generate local business. This is a very |
| this a fair exchange don't you think. What they do with | | | | inexpensive yet powerful way to build your brand, |
| this information is email from time to time specials, | | | | expand your network and establish yourself as the |
| events and promotions. Their emails are conversational | | | | local authority. Do not underestimate this power of this |
| and to the point, but it keeps them at the top of my | | | | type of publicity. Think about sponsoring a local soccer |
| mind that whenever I am around their area or have a | | | | team or passing out free water branded with your |
| friend in town, I never have to worry about where to | | | | company name at a local fair or bazaar. Have an |
| take them to eat for breakfast. Another example was | | | | open house offering free doughnuts in your parking lot. |
| when I owned a well care bricks and mortar business. | | | | The result of this is top of mind awareness to folks in |
| We were able to jump sales by about 10-20% on | | | | your community, thereby leading to referrals galore. |