The Internet has opened the doors for entrepreneurs to start their own business. No longer does someone need to have a big investment in order to ?set up shop,? Anyone can put a website up and open their business for a nominal fee. Sometimes, even for FREE.



The benefits that come with a web-based business are incredible. The doors are now open for many people who have disabilities and are unable to work, mothers who stay home with children, and even children themselves to start their own business. With the Internet, they reach a global market in ways that in the past; only top companies could reach.

People who do business on Internet feel most comfortable marketing their business online. Don't make this mistake. You may be missing lots of local clients. Someone in your neighborhood is looking for the type of product or service you offer. If they don't know you exist, they can't hire you. Here are some tips for marketing locally:

Networking can be a very scary prospect, but it can be very profitable. You can start by joining local groups and getting to know the members. This doesn't have to be a formal networking group. You can join a church group, a booster group for your child's school, or even a group centered on your favorite hobby. The more people you meet, the more likely it is that you will find someone who needs your product or service.

Another ?brave? way to market locally is through speaking engagements. Many groups that have meetings are always looking for someone to come in as a speaker. If you design websites, you can give a speech on designing an uncomplicated, but eye-catching website. Contact local networking groups, your Chamber of Commerce, local churches, and local schools in order to find out about speaking in front of the various groups.

You can also market by sending press releases to local media, hanging up flyers around town, distributing promotional materials to local businesses such as coffee cups, magnets or calendars as well as paying for ad space in your local paper.