How to Promote Your Home-Based Business

Business cards can be unique and still be cheap. Give your card a custom look with:
Die Cut Business Cards
Using scented cards are another way to make them an even more effective advertising tool.

Here's how to turn ordinary cards into scented ones:
Scented Business Cards
Door magnets on your car are highly visible and get a lot of exposure. It's effortless and effective advertising that keeps working for you.

Promote your business for free in local or regional magazines. Many rely on voluntary writing contributions. Translate your expertise into an article. It's free promotion and an effective way to establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Ask for referrals. Friends and business acquaintances can help you build your business.

Complementary businesses can also be an excellent source of referrals. Photographers, for example, may often be asked for the name of a good caterer. And vice versa.

Use imprinted promotional items. Pens are cheap and almost guaranteed to be passed along to others.

Be a walking advertisement for your business. Imprinted t-shirts and tote bags are two options. A website URL on a visor is another.

Bumper stickers can be a great promotional tool. They're the perfect size and place for your website URL.

For more ideas: Promotional Marketing Tips and Ideas

Participate in a local business expo, or a trade show.

Put your marketing message on a CD, a DVD, or both.

Increase traffic to your website with a scavenger hunt. Use a theme related to a holiday or another event in which people are already interested.

Increase referrals with incentives using your business cards.

Here's an easy way:

Use the back of your business cards as a coupon or other special offer.
Give each referrer a simple code that you jot down on each of the cards you give them.
Track cards received with each referrer's code.
Reward them with a free gift or a deep discount on some of their purchases.

Share mailing lists and expenses with non-competing businesses. Combine mailings and expand your customer base at the same time.

Let your answering machine or voice mail message promote your business.

Get free promotion in your local newspaper. Sponsor a contest, or be one of the sponsors for a community event.

Newspaper classified ads can be cheap and effective. Ask about having your ad appear in reverse print to make it stand out even more.

Nancy Richardson
CreateYourMarket.com publisher

Need a writer?

Quick Tips:

Enclose a business card promoting your website with each piece of outgoing mail.

Ask customers who frequently do business with you for a testimonial.

Promote your website URL offline on everything from bumper stickers to your answering machine message.

Want to reach the highest percentage of your target market?

Advertise in specialty publications including newspaper supplements devoted to a specific topic.

Marketing is crucial, but it doesn't always have to be serious.

Some of the most effective advertising campaigns rely on humor. Don't be afraid to make your customers laugh!

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