a.Business card: This one is such a given that maybe it shouldn't even be mentioned. However, it's surprising how many entrepreneurs forget to get a business card made. You need to have professional looking, attractive business cards which you can hand out when you meet clients. Also, the fact that you have a business card and business stationery at hand shows people that you take your business seriously.
b.Trade shows and meetings: Trade shows and other professional group meetings are entirely for networking and building contacts. Make sure you go to a Chamber of Commerce meeting, a civic association meeting or even one from the Rotary Club. Keep your business cards handy and every time you meet someone, tell your name. By the time you start talking about your business, you should have already handed the card to the person. Make sure to also take a personal interest in what these people do and ensure they remember you as a business contact.
c.Press releases: You could leverage the tremendous power of press releases. These are inexpensive, freely circulated and get you loads of publicity absolutely free of cost. Make sure to pick out a USP of your company or product which is unique and sellable. Then create press releases around this theme. Send these releases out highlighting this unique selling point so as to create a curiosity. Make sure the USP you are highlighting is going to interest the target audience.
d.Network, network, network: You need to network and build on contacts with other people in the same field. Tell them you are available for work and that you can help them with any overloads they may face.
e.Be a speaker: One of the best ways to generate free publicity for your business is by being a speaker. If you have a good command over the language and are able to speak well, consider giving a speech on a common topic of interest, related to your products and company. By speaking on a niche subject you get to establish authority as a subject matter expert of sorts. You could try establishing contact with various speaker bureaus that can provide you with suitable platforms for giving speeches.
f.Give free demos: If you have a set of products which can be demonstrated be sure to do it. Select a popular venue and then show people how to operate the product. If you have developed some tool for using in your work, you could teach others how to use it as well.
g.Cold calling: You may think cold calling is only for those irritating telemarketers but you couldn't be further from the truth. If you want word about your business to get across fast, then make sure to be prepared to make cold calls to customers.
So if you thought marketing your company signifies huge investments, think again. With these methods you can start promoting your company right away. It's really easy and quick. So all you need to do is implement!
Let's talk about consumer debt. You know, the kind you rack up because you really need stuff.
Your sofa is looking pretty nasty. It's covered with Kool-Aid stains,and throw pillows are hiding threadbare spots where the tufting peeks through. You even had to throw down some plywood to keep the pillows from sagging.
Time to go out and buy a new one, right?
Not if you don't have the cash.
Here's why that new sofa is going to cost you a lot more than the $800 sticker price if you go into consumer debt to buy it.
Let's assume you buy the sofa as well as matching loveseat and end tables for a grand total of $2000. You finance your purchase through the furniture store for three years at an interest rate of 21.45% (let's leave out the ?no interest for two years? deal for a minute).
Your monthly payments will be?drum roll, please?$75.
?Wow?, you think. ?That's pretty affordable.? Sure it is.
Until you count the true cost of that sofa.
Let's assume you're 30 years old and you're going to retire at 65. Let's also assume you have access to a 401(k) that your employer matches at 50%, you can earn a 10% average return on investments, and your combined federal and state tax brackets are 20%.
If you pay for your furniture with cash and invest the $75 a month in your 401(k) for three years instead, you'd have $4,330 more in your account at the end of the three years (plus your sofa). Now keep that $4,330 in your 401(k) without any additional investment and in another 32 years, at retirement, it will have grown to $83,112.
So, basically, your sofa cost you $2,000, plus $700 interest, plus $83,112 that would have grown over 32 years in your retirement account.
Final sticker price: $85,812.
Yikes.
Here's an alternative plan: hang on for another two years, save $80 a month in a money market mutual fund or savings vehicle that earns at least 4%, and use cash to pay for your new living room set.
Final sticker price: $1,920
Here's an even better alternative plan: hang on for another two years, save $80 a month, and after you buy the sofa, put $80 a month in your 401(k) instead (you were already living without it for two years).
Final sticker price: $1,920, plus an extra $815,699 in YOUR bank account by age 65.
Now what about those ?no interest for two years? deals? Well, you can certainly take advantage of those, if you're disciplined enough to pay off the balance in less time. Most people aren't.
You can use this strategy for every major purchase you make.
The cost of consumer debt is a big deal, when it's compounded by time, interest and 50% employer matching.
So next time you hit the furniture store and the salesman is telling you, "It's only going to cost you $75 a month", you'll know better. Tell him or her, "Nope! It's actually going to cost me around $85 grand. See you in two years."
Avoid consumer debt, and you're well on your way to a much stronger financial future.
Both Doug Brown & Leo Quinn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Doug Brown has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lead Generation, Home Improvement and Collection Agencies. Doug Brown uses his 30 plus years of business building experiences to educate people and businesses on how to . Free Report "17 Str. Doug Brown's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Leo Quinn has sinced written about articles on various topics from tax, Home Improvement and Debt Reductions. A financial educator for over ten years, Leo Quinn Jr. specializes in helping people get out of debt and stay that way. His ?How to Own Your Paycheck Again? program has helped thousands of families improve their finances and escape the debt trap. Visit. Leo Quinn's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.