13 Free or Cheap Effective Advertising Methods

Advertising is the life blood of any business, no matter how big or how small. No advertising usually means no business. Large companies have an almost unlimited source of advertising dollars. Small business owners on the other hand, are limited in the amount of money they have for advertising. So, the problem is how to make ones advertising dollar get the most bang for the buck. It’s not enough to advertise. Your advertising must be effective. So, once you have a website or an ad to advertise, check out the following ways to advertise for little or no cost.

1. Advertising Co-op - Advertising Co-ops level the playing field for everyone involved. Everyone on the team pays in a little and they purchase ads which are evenly split amoungst everyone who is in the Co-op.

2. Website - The age of the internet has expanded the possibility of owning your own business to an almost unlimited number of people. It also has expanded the advertising audience to a tremendous amount of new people, world wide, who otherwise you would never have been able to reach. You may get your own domain/website by going HERE!

3. Answering Machine - Change the message on your answering machine to reflect the fact that you are now in business for yourself. You could say something like,” Hello. You have reached the home office of John Doe of MyDomain.com…..” That way when you call that person back, they may ask you about your business and thus the door is open to discussing your business. I personally would take it one step further and say something like, “my new business grew by a whopping 183 people just since yesterday and $5500 in sales. Leave me your name, telephone# along with the best time to call if you would like more information.”

4. Mini Billboards - Put a sign in your front yard or in the yard of a friend or relative with your name and website address on it. This is a good way for your neighbors to find out about your new business as well as any people that ride by your house.

5. Vehicle Ad - Place a magnetic sign or bumper sticker on your car. Now, when you are riding down the road, sitting at a stop sign, or leaving your car parked at the mall or grocery store, you are getting free advertising. Vinyl letters are inexpensive and can normally be installed the same day for around $30. Place something like “My business is growing by 100 people a day. Call me to find out how 555-1212″ This ad on cars has produced a lot of calls and new customers.

6. Wear Your Ad - Place your website on a sweatshirt, tee-shirt, or a hat. So, when you are out in public, people will see you ad and again it will open up the door to discussing your new business.

7. Flyers - There are many places that will allow you to place a flyer about your business. Businesses like grocery stores, libraries, laundromats, hair salons and others will let you place a free ad on their public bulletin board. Try putting “pull tabs” on the flyer so people can easily tear off your telephone number and website.

8. Business Cards - Don’t leave home without them. You never now when the chance to hand one out will happen. You may see an old friend, meet someone looking to get out of the 9-5 rut or who likes to travel. Login to your back-office for predesigned business cards.

9. Free Classifieds - Use the internet and the many free classified ads on it to advertise your business. A search using “free classifieds” will give you an almost limitless number of places to submit your website and ad. Try sites like; craigslist.com, USFreeads.com. Some cities/states have radio or TV stations with free classified ad sites. These can be a fantastic area to generate leads.

10. Ezines or Electronic Magazines are also a good place to advertise your business. Some charge a fee for placing your ad in the best location, some let you advertise for free. Again a web search will allow you find numerous ezines to place your ad in.

11. E-mail Signature – Place your web address in your e-mail signature.

12. Outgoing Mail/Bills – How many letters do you mail back to bill collectors each month? Stuff a flyer or your business card in each of them.

13.Word of Mouth - The least expensive form of advertising and maybe the most effective way to advertise your business is word of mouth. Simply tell those you come in contact with that you are in business for yourself. They will tell others and they will tell others and it can go on and on. Sooner or later someone will take a look at what you are doing.

Obviously, there are many more ways to advertise your business for little or no money. The point is you don’t have to have the big bucks to successfully advertise you business or product. There are many people who have started and become extremely successful in their business on a shoe string advertising budget. There is hope for the small business owner. All you need is a website or ad, a little creativity, a little time, and you too can advertise your way to success.