Being an entrepreneur is more challenging than ever. It’s tough to compete as the little guy. Large corporations have access to marketing experts and big budgets while internet companies have lots of tricks to channel online traffic to their websites. But don’t let that discourage you. In addition to the tried and true methods of promotion and advertising, there is a whole myriad ofare many simple yet creative ways to attract attention to your little company. Among these methods include clever usage of business cards and postcards.

photo credit: Marcin Wichary

Don’t misjudge the value of those tiny, rectangular pieces of paper that contain your name, company name and important contact information. While they ought not to be guarded and locked away, they shouldn’t be scattered all over town without forethought either. Some of the more conventional methods of distributing these little advertising gems are during meetings and chance encounters. They can also be given when simply striking up a conversation with anyone while out and about. One could even innocently ask a stranger what they think of the design or logo and insist they take one for themselves.

An alternate avenue of advertising a company is to leave fliers advertising special promotional offers on products or services at other display your handouts on their counter near the cash register. When possible, it would be a nice gesture to put some of their promotional materials in your store as well, provided they are not in direct competition with your company.

Thank past customers for their patronage and send notes with “valued customer only” offers to encourage repeat sales. Or, offer special discounts if customers bring in or refer a friend to you. In addition to contacting current customers, send a mass mailing to the local residents who would most likely be interested in your products and services. The object is to notify as many potential customers as possible to annual or seasonal sales events.

Fliers and notes are airy standard in the advertising game. Perhaps your company could get that extra edge by utilizing objects that have an alternate use. Anything that can be printed upon is a viable option. A personal trainer could use a stretchy exercise band to promote her services while a chimney sweep might opt to print his information on a book of matches. The options are only limited by your imagination, and perhaps a little by your budget as well.

It’s practically impossible to ignore the most widely used form of advertising—the internet. It doesn’t matter whether or not your company is web based or you have an actual store front. Instead of spending your hard earned money on a webpage designer, you could learn fairly easily how to get something up and running very quickly. Once your company can be accessed on the internet, you’ve just opened yourself up to countless potential new customers.

photo credit: pacomexico

In the current economy, companies must be creative and persistent in attracting new customers and maintaining the ones they already have. Using both traditional advertising methods and the latest technology is the only way to succeed.

Advertising and Promotion: An Integrated Marketing Communications Perspective w/ Premium Content Card

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Small business marketing may be the most important part in owning and maintaining a successful small business. A good portion of the marketing effort is determining the needs of your target market and then explaining that you provide solutions to meet those needs. Contrary to popular belief, it is a lot more than posting a sign or handing out flyers. Though many of the philosophies and tactics may be similar, small business marketing is an entirely different discipline than marketing of large companies. Successful marketing is not just a tactic or strategy; it is an entire process and you are sure to fail if you are not enthusiastic about your small business. Go to Business Cards for more information.

Done properly, marketing can and will attract all the clients your small business can handle. But I would suggest you get to a place where you work only with clients who value what you have to offer. If you commit to following simple small business marketing systems, strategies and ideas you can significantly increase what you charge for your services. Unfortunately though, most small business promotions focus only on how great their products and services are. But you need to stay focused on what products and services your ideal clients want and need.

Here’s another big no-no to avoid. Instead of marketing only when you need money or cash flow, commit to marketing your products and services all of the time. It is very important to consistently market your products and services because as I have been saying for years, success is based on persistency and consistency, not magic.

Planning is also a key ingredient to the success of any small business. Developing a small business marketing plan will be one of the most crucial elements to your success. By creating your marketing plan you will eliminate the panic and need for an instant solution to financial problems because you can avoid many of the ups and downs that result from the all to common stop and start marketing. Your plan does not have to be set in stone, it can evolve as you and your business grow. The important thing is your dedication to consistency with your marketing.

The lack of persistency and consistency will lead to an unused marketing plan. This in turn will lead to spits and starts in your cash flow. Successful entrepreneurs who have a small business marketing plan make more money in less time. When you start to think of who your ideal client is and what products and services they want or need and then combine that with your marketing tools and techniques, an effective marketing plan is not far behind. Refer to Business Cards for more information.

As you are probably starting to see small business marketing is an entire process, a synergy of the individual tactics and strategies. That’s right, small business marketing is a system where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Another common misconception is that small business marketing is just common sense. Nothing could be further from the truth. An understanding of how small business marketing is conducted is essential for you if success is your goal. You do want results and success don’t you?

It’s all about determining the needs of your target market and then providing solutions to meet those needs. So many people believe that marketing their small business is all about running advertisements, but it isn’t. If you are serious about your success in business, then make understanding marketing an on-going priority.

The ultimate result of small business marketing is to attract more new customers and persuade existing customers to purchase your products or services in higher quantities and more frequently. The successful can attribute their success to having a strategic plan and following it consistently. When you create a marketing plan you will be able to compete at a higher level. Your odds of winning the game significantly improve when you take the time to create a plan.

To your success!
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The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Toolkit: All the Tips, Forms, and Strategies You’ll Ever Need!

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