Studies show over and over that a simple message delivered without any fluff is the one that attracts the most responses. Isn't that what you really want?

Here is a list of what can be done to market, promote and advertise your business offline and online. Keep in mind that this is an on going process and that the more marketing methods you use the more your business will be noticed.

1. This one is simple; you can make a lot of progress by handing out flyers, post cards or what ever you want. You can post them on bulletin boards at supermarkets, community centers and local businesses. Look for a jar or box that you can put your business cards in when visiting any local stores.

2. Test your ads and track which ones are working and which ones are not. This will save you a lot of money and will help you build your home business faster. You should not depend on your customers to test your ads and remember to space out your ads so they are easier to track and know which ones are pulling.

3. Once you have a number of ads that do pull, you may want to start spending some money on other ways of advertising. Your success will depend on where you are advertising in relation to your product or service and also on your ad writing skills.

4. Successful marketers always look for ways to minimize their advertising costs.

5. Don't worry about how many people actually see your ad; what you should really worry about is how many prospects you reach that are in your target market.

6. One of the best free methods for advertising your business is through viral marketing. Ask your current customers if they know of anyone who would find your product or services useful. Provide an incentive for any customers that they bring to you.

7. Business cards are a great way to introduce yourself and your business. VistaPrint offers 500 business cards for free, you pay shipping only. Just remember not to leave home without them!

8. Publish a press release! They are a great way to get the word out about your business. One thing to remember is that a press release should contain news, it is not an advertisement. The beginning of your press release should contain the most important information, with your contact information at the end.

9. Free classified advertising has been an old and proven method of marketing online. It does work, but guess what it depends on? The quality of your ads!

10. Write articles or start a blog about your business on topics relating to your websites content and then post to as many article directories as possible. This method can be one of the most effective, free and easy ways to market online.

Improve your advertising's response rate with writing techniques and strategies that will also help promote your business more successfully and for less.

For every ad that you write ask these questions before using them:

* If you were reading this ad would you be motivated to take action and would you know what action to take? Close out your ad with a call to action!

* Is there real information in the ad or just fluff an empty claims? Keep it simple.

* Is your headline honest while spelling out exactly what is in the offer? Cute headlines might look good, but the actual results are not worth it.

* How long is your ad? Keep it short.

* Is the content relevant to what is being advertised?

* Did you put your contact information in the ad?

* Last, did you include a message in your ad that sells?

Remember that people really don't like seeing ads unless they see something they think they need.

The amount of success that you experience will be directly proportional to the amount of marketing you do and to the quality of your ads.

If you promote your business wisely, then you will be successful.

Copyright 2008 Joe Rispoli