Advertising on a budget can
be challenging. A small business must advertise and without breaking their
bank.
By Lanee' Blunt
Having several ads on
television may be out of reach for most small businesses. However, there are some other options you may
want to consider that are inexpensive and effective. You can advertise on a budget and make your
money go further.
Here are five tips to help
small businesses advertise.
Marketing Letters
Small business advertising
does not have to be done on a massive direct mail campaign. You can send out
personal letters that have the prospects full name and business address. The tone of the letter is friendly. It
usually begins by gaining the attention of the prospect, and gives benefits for
using your business. The sales letter itself will not solve the problem. It
will explain how the business or service can solve the problem. According to Jay
Conrad Levinson, in his book, Guerrilla
Marketing, “The writing of personal letters, not
direct mailings of large quantities of letters and brochures, but simple,
personal letters, is one of the most effective, easy, inexpensive, and
overlooked methods of marketing.” Personal letters can be very inexpensive.
Postcards
Postcards are a very
effective marketing method. The cost is
very inexpensive, first class postage for a postcard is about $0.28 U.S.
Directories and Electronic Directories
You can list your business
in the Yellow Pages. Electronic
directories are a good place to list your business, some of them are free, and
they let you write about your small business. Online directories let customers
find you globally.
Fliers
Fliers are inexpensive per
piece to produce. You can use your color
printer or just use a black printer with color paper stock. “They persuade as they remind the customers
to place their orders with the firm using this particular medium,” according to
Carroll Nolan and Roman Warmke’s book, Marketing
Sales Promotion and Advertising. The flier tells what you are offering and
explains how the customer can contact you.
Classified Advertising
There are many small
businesses and consultants that advertise in the classified section of
newspapers and magazines. Classified ad charges are based on the number of lines,
and on the number of words. Classified
ads are inexpensive and effective.
Small business advertising
can be done on a budget it will require time on your part, but it will be worth
the effort.
Reference:
Carroll Nolan and Roman
Warmke; Marketing Sales Promotion and Advertising; South Western
Advantages of Advertising Flyers
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