Manta, a social network for small business offered great advice for small business owners. Manta's Tip of the Day states, "Potential customers need to hear about your business 7 to 12 times before they are ready to do business with you. Use as many venues as possible (especially the free ones) to get your message out." Not a bad idea. It's true and it costs nothing. When I first started my business, I admit, I did not use the social networks as I should. I never used them. Now, I am on the internet everyday, searching for new ways to promote without costing me a cent. IT'S WORKING.
Many small businesses, especially home businesses, don't last because they don't stick it out when it comes to promoting . Patience is truly a virtue. Keep marketing yourself, products, and services. The internet is a big place. Before you know it, your business will grow not only with customers, but with important business contacts. Here are a few things you can do to market your business without spending a dime to do it.
1. Find social networking sites that are free and join. When a new one emerges, jump on it. Be the first to reap its benefits.
2. Identify your market audience. If you are a car mechanic, you don't want to market your business to someone who has a business using crafts. Find out who your target audience is and market to them.
3. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. Keep putting your information out there. Keep telling your friends, family, and business networks to tweet, follow, etc. It's alright to sound like a broken record.
4. Offer quality service. Keep your customers happy so they can tell the people they know about your services and/or products. If you don't offer service that makes a person feel like they are important and what they think matters, they won't be speak kind words about you or your business.
These are some of the things you can do to keep your business on track and in line to potential life long customers and in a steady flow of income. These are a few free or small fee sites that you may or may not know, that can help you market yourself and your business.
- http://www.commerce.com
- http://www.news12.com. Hit on the borough you want, go under classifieds or numbers/links.
- http://www.constantcontact.com. Specializes in email and event marketing.
- http://www.ryze.com
- http://www.manta.com
- http://www.xing.com
- http://www.myspace.com
- http://www.usfreeads.com
- http://www.smallbusinessexpo.com. A resource directory for small business entrepreneurs.
- http://www.newyorkgetonline.com. You can make yourself a free website for your small or home business.
If you stay persistent, focused, and determined, your business will grow. Want to read more great small business tips about marketing, read this article at: http://ezinearticles.com/?21-Shoestring-Marketing-Secrets-That-All-Small-Business-Owners-Need-to-Know&id=5603934.
I hope this information helps. Good luck!
If you have any questions or comments, you can reach me at: mailto:eboniaye@hotmail.com
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