Free Advertising Ideas

Paul started his business in a plush locality of the city. He had the latest stock in the market and the best designs, which he especially imported from Europe. He never compromised on quality and he knew for a fact that his designs were unique. None of the other establishments imported things from outside and that set his merchandise apart. But after a month of starting shop, there were not many customers. The sales could even be called abysmal. And when he compared his sales to the other shops, he was running into a loss. Starting to get really worried now, he wondered what it was that he was doing wrong.

Like Paul, if you've ever faced this dilemma sometime in your life, then the answer could well be your lack of proper advertising strategies. Advertising has emerged as one of the most important and basic strategies for success in business and other fields. It's simple - You don't advertise, you lose out in the long run. Advertising has a direct relation to the profit-loss ratio, and it has been proved that employing effective means of advertising ups one's chances of success. So if you're thinking of starting a new business or foraying into a new venture, then you'll need some effective and advertising ideas.

If you're new to this, then employing these free advertising ideas could be the perfect way to start your business. Instead of waiting to incur a loss, and then set about correcting it, use these ideas to have a great start and ensure continued success.

Advertising Ideas for Small Businesses

Here are some good ideas that you can make use of for promoting your business. Always remember the cardinal rule of advertising - advertising is not an expense but an investment. So look at it that way and get going with these advertising ideas to help you out.

Running Ad
Employing the right advertising techniques, begins before you go out to business. It begins long before. Have a sizable ad printed in the local newspaper - one that says the shop will come out soon. Some use the running ad to pique the curiosity of potential customers and get their attention in that way. In this, one begins by booking a piece in the newspaper and starts off with a teaser about the shop. Something to the effect of "What's so special about the 15th" or something to that effect. Then everyday, till a week before the opening, a new teaser is put in exactly the same spot of the newspaper which reveals a little something more about the venture. Until finally the main ad appears announcing the opening of the shop.

Advertise!
Make sure to book a really big page in the yellow pages. It helps. Along with giving ads in the newspaper, advertise through whatever other medium you can find - radio, local channel, pamphlets, magazines, vehicles, sending mails. All of these will really help.

Social Networking
Join a social networking site and advertise through that. These sites allow one to tap into a large group of people at once and therefore the message reaches many in a short time. Which will increase your database manifold and people will know about the new venture. Plus if you're introducing something new, people will know about it beforehand.

Collaborate
Another way to advertise is to collaborate with other businesses for advertising. This is one of the easiest and simplest ideas to choose from. When you advertise with another related business, then the advantage it provides is that you can pool into their database and vice versa, thereby increasing your customers. This is an effective way for small businesses to survive in the market with bigger establishments. This strategy works especially well with two related businesses. For example - a toy shop and a baby clothes shop.

Greetings
People use mails to inform their customers about the latest items etc. and that keeps their customers loyal. Another strategy that is closely related to this one is that companies send holiday or birthday greetings to their customers. This not only advertises the company name, but also creates a soft spot in the customer's mind.

Workshops and Seminars
This might not be possible for all businesses, but holding seminars and workshops or giving lectures on one's product is a very effective way to advertise for it. Similarly, using other subtle methods like giving lectures at a college about the business, helps a lot.

There you go. No more worrying about what needs be done after you employ these advertising ideas. So set up the business and rake in the moolah! All the best!