Second step to advertising has nothing really to do with advertising. You need to brand your business and stick with it. Create business cards with a specific design that is tailored to your business and use that design in all of your business dealings. Create documents and flyers that all look the same. Your business will be recognized time and time again if everything is consistent. This also shows the customer they will receive consistency from your end. You can not begin to advertise until your brand is established and is consistent across the board.
Helpful tip: Staples has an online terminal where you can build your own business cards from scratch, or use one of their many templates. Order and Pick up in your local store just a few hours later.
Check out Google's Local Business Center. This feature is FREE! Start by going to www.google.com/localbusinesscenter and add your business. You will then be sent a card or email to confirm your listing to make sure you really are the owner. Simple. Done. Free advertising whenever someone searches local listings.
Make a webpage. This again goes hand in hand with branding. Even if your business is in direct sales, a webpage is easy to make and can help bring some consistency to your business. You can send people directly to your page and they can find sales, discounts, and freebies without having to search around for your phone number you gave them. Some direct sales companies give you your own webpage anyways, this is perfect! Keep it updated at all times and include it on all your documents and invoices. If you want a place to make a free webpage without needing to know rocket science...visit www.wix.com. Some of the templates are not free, but many of them are! Web pages make your business look professional and clean. If you can afford to have your own domain and someone to build a more professional website for you, by all means, spend the money and do it. You will not regret it!
Join networking groups, moms groups, and business-related clubs. A few to check out in the area include Stroller Strides, MOPS, Mommies Playgroups like Holly Springs Mommies Playgroup, and even Mom2Mom has groups that meet in and around the Triangle. Business Among Moms is a wonderful resource as well, I highly recommend visiting their page and networking with them. They even have a Facebook page! It is FREE to become a member! You can also become a paid member to have even more opportunities to network. Every group you are a part of gets word out about your business. Just chatting with the other members and moms lets you personally advertise your business to potential customers! Bring your business cards and a smile, you are sure to get a few leads!
Attend Vendor Events. There are thousands of events every year around Raleigh, some small and some big. Start asking around and make friends with other direct sale reps. They usually have a good idea where the next event will be. Plan ahead and build up inventory. Vendor events are GREAT ways to really get your name out into the community. If you bring your all to the table, you will get rewarded! Even if you are not in direct sales, groups that target this arena will often know of vendor events in your area. Raleigh Direct Sales Facebook group is a great one. Just by paying attention to the dialogue and signing in everyday can give you great leads to vendor events. Hey, why not have your own. Ask several of your friends to have an open house and invite all your neighbors.
Take advantage of the fairgrounds. Set up a booth at the Saturday Flea Market. Apply to have a booth at the State Fair. Go in with several other businesses if you can not afford the cost.
Flyers. Business Cards. Take them everywhere you go! Hang them up in restaurants or ask a local boutique if you can leave your business cards with them. Vistaprint is a great tool to purchase car stickers, magnets, flyers, and more. Purchase a bumper sticker for your car. A great way to advertise on the road!
Add a few offers, coupons, and deals to sites such as Groupon. You will have to confirm your business and be approved, but once approved, you can list coupons and deals for customers in your area. This is a wonderful tool to attract customers you may have missed elsewhere.
The last point I want to make is keeping your previous customers happy and always coming back for more. If you offer previous customers deals or savings, they are more likely to come back to you rather than look for someone else. Usually, your best customers will advertise for you! Give them half off or a free product every now and then (be careful not to do this too much as they will start to expect it).
If you have another way to advertise that I forgot to mention, or something you found that has really helped your business, feel free to leave a comment with links! Happy Advertising!
