Lucky for your business, these ways are either low cost or no cost. Keep an open mind and better yet, let your creative side come out. your business, and of course your "future" customers will love you for it.



What other way to start then of course, press release. A lot business owners over look this simple yet effective way to get their word across. Newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television are always looking for new stories on a daily basis to keep their reasders informed of what is going on in the world. Nothing better than sending your press release. It should be about 450 to 550 words and in "news story" format. In other words editors aren`t looking for hype of your business such as, "if you order right now we`ll throw in a set of Ginsu knives". They want news for their customers, and your press release could be it, if put in the correct format.

According to Kim Campbell of Writer magazine, "You should learn to love the camera. Many local television stations have morning or midday talk shows. Call program directors and schedule brief appearances to promote your workshop or conference. Be sure to emphasize how the event will assist writers in the area. Be professional, accommodating and pleasant. Authors should try to interest program directors in the subject, characters or setting of their book in ways that will appeal to viewers. A close-up shot of your new book on TV is priceless publicity."

Get to know the world wide web we call the Internet. You should be able to find many websites, blogs, MySpace pages, and Facebook subscribers that are interested in your product or service. Work with them to help promote what you are offering. Chances are they will work with for little and in most cases, no cost.

Also don`t rule out the free web hosting companies where you can put up your own web page to promote your business. You may not know much about web programming, but your local highschool student does. Offer to pay him $8/hr to put up 1 to 3 page site. You can be online for under $50.

Campbell also says, "Get to know newsletter editors. You already may send information to your local writing-newsletter editor, but what about other writing groups across the country? Go one step further: What about newsletters that aren`t specifically about writing? Readers and others interested in learning about the process of publishing can be found in women`s, men`s, business and professional organizations. Wherever people gather, you are bound to find readers and writers."

If you product or service is one that a local organization may be able to use, then offer it up to them for free. There is no better promotion of a business then that of word of mouth. By offering what you have up to clubs and organizations, and it fits their needs, they will without a doubt promote it for you, for free.

Finally, do not forget the aged old, business card. Always have about 5 to 10 on you to hand out, and when you do hand them out to a person, always give them three. Why three? One for the person you are handing it to, and two more for the two people he`s going to give them to. Get your information on the business card of who you are, what you are offering and how the customer can get in touch with you or someone in your company. Business cards can be printed at your local office supply store for less than $20 for 1,000 of them.

Some of these promotions might be no-brainers but you would be surprised how many people overlook the obvious. Start using these ideas, and don`t forget to be creative and add your idea "neat" ideas to change these up a big.

By: Bruce A. Tucker