69 ways to advertise 

With advertising, you need to be more creative than ever if you are going  to stand out. A simple ad in facebook is not enough to generate enough talk about your business to have people interested enough. 

More so, the times have changed. Consumers themselves are more used  to shock advertising than ever. A scandal may hurt one person, but it can  often bring higher revenues to a company. However, now, people have very high standards in where they shop, what they buy and what they pay for it.

To further to explore that topic, consider these important factors when it  comes to advertising your business.

1. It is easier for the consumer to do the same thing repeatedly. In  other words, they are not going to go out of their way to visit your  location or to remember your website’s domain name unless you  have something that is new enough to them to make them want to  do so. If it is easier to do something else, though, people will do  that.

2. People do not want to pay more money for something. If you  cannot compete with big companies, include those large  department stores that seem to outdo every other company out  there, then consumers will not pay attention to your business. Use

your advertising budget to differentiate your business from the  businesses of others. This is more important in 2023 because it now is more important than ever for people to watch every penny they  spend.

3. Forget about misleading ads or promising more than you can offer.  Most consumers are wise enough to see right through the  advertisements that are obviously too good to be true. Consumers  also do not want you to spam them, to overwhelm them with mail  or email just to learn about your product or service.

4. There is more game in town. That means that there are more  people competing for those all important ad spaces on your favorite websites. This may mean that your average advertising dollar is not going to do as much as you had hoped that it would. On the other  hand, it may provide you with an ideal option for doing something  big that is memorable.

5. The Internet, television, newspaper and even direct mail is all  interconnected today. Your message needs to be strong enough to  reach across all of these playing fields properly. If you use  conflicting information, you will simply confuse your company.

There are a few things to point out, in addition, that are more positive.  For example, today’s consumer is well aware of the price of products, but  they are still looking for a good deal. Getting more for their money is  always going to be a big factor for the average consumer. Look for ways  to add something to the product you are offering that helps it to stand out from the rest of the world’s products.

More so, consumers are knowledgeable. They are happy to learn about  new companies, but they want to learn about them before they will use  them. Either through your website or through your advertising, you need  to communicate who your business is, what it has to offer as well as what  makes it unique and better than the rest.

1. Cost effectiveness: Price is a strong, important tool especially as  more consumers are looking for a way to save money after taken  advantage of by lenders, leaders and investments.

2. Environmental friendly: Today, people expect a business to be  doing everything that it can to actually save the world. In your  advertising, this can and sometimes should be the message that  you give. Show the world that your business is committed to  providing a safe haven for the environment.

3. Something new: Having a product that is new and better than  someone else’s product is going to make an impression that you  want to make on your customers. Although not all businesses will  have the same level of expectation on this front, many business  owners should advertise that they have something that trumps the  other person’s product.

4. Easy access: With people saving more money, working more jobs  to make ends meet and going out of their way to get the best of the best, it is important to alter customers that you have a product that is easy for them to use or easy for them to get to. Virtually all small businesses need to be online in 2018, even if you are not serving  the entire Internet, but a local market. People turn to the web to  learn what is happening and to find what they are looking for.

5. Trustworthy: Yet another important advertising method for 2018  will be trustworthiness. Of course, with so many people feeling  taken advantage of by the horrors of the last few years, it is  important to distance yourself and your business from those  companies. Focus instead on being a company that is trusted,  secure and a great place to be.

When you put all of this together, you will have the right advertising plan  for your business.

WORD OF MOUTH IS STILL KING

Word of mouth advertising is one of the oldest forms. Simply put, it is the  means of one person telling another person something about your  business. It has always been one of the most powerful tools to have as an advertising medium. Ask yourself, are you more interested in listening to  what a commercial has to say or what your best friend has to say? Who is  more believable?

As a business, part of your advertising plan should focus on word of  mouth advertising. OF course, it is important to point out that today; word of mouth advertising is not just one person telling another of a product, as in one woman telling another woman about a product they love. Rather,  there are many online and off line methods for delivering a word of mouth experience.

In this chapter, we focus on a few methods of advertising that can help  you to pull out those recommendations that you want to get from others.  How can you get recommendations and referrals from the customers you  already have or the ones that you will be getting?

#1: FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE

The first and most important element of advertising is not spoiling the  business that you have. Each customer that comes into your doors needs  to be a customer treated as if they are the most important customer for  the business. Although this may seem difficult to do, it is all about  delivering a quality service and smiling.

Customer service is important to business success. If you have a bad  experience at a restaurant, you tell your family and friends about it, and  stop them from going there. Not only does the business lose your  business but that of your family and friends, too. What you want to  create, on the other hand, is an atmosphere in which the words being  passed on are top quality recommendations to visit your establishment.

If you are not sure what you can do to improve your customer service, go  right to the source: your customer. Find out from them what you can do  to improve your overall experience.

#2: LOCAL OFFERS

If your business is a locally based one, as opposed to one that is Internet  based, focus on local offers that can help bring in customers. For example, a customer comes in to your hair salon. You know they had a great  experience and so you offer them a discount card and one for their friend. If they pass on the card, you have an opportunity for them to tell the  potentially new customer about your salon. This is easy advertising!

#3: BE ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY

Another way to generate more word of mouth advertising is to let others  know about your business by allowing them to get to know you. Be an  active role player in the community. Churches, community organizations  as well as government offices are great ways for you to grow your local  popularity. Introduce yourself to your customers. Shake their hand. Be  present in your place of business.

#4: SPONSOR LOCAL ACTIVITIES

It does not have to cost you much to sponsor a group of local baseball  players or to buy the t-shirt uniforms for the school’s soccer team. It does not cost you anything to host a fundraiser for a local person who is ill  where you donate your profits. However, these types of actions get your  name in front of the masses. They are all instances that you can show  that your business is the business in town to be involved.

#5: ASK FOR THE RECOMMENDATION

Unbelievably, one of the best ways for you to get the customers to  respond to you is to ask for a recommendation. For example, you have  saved someone $250 off his or her car repair bill. That is nothing to be  shy about. As the customer is happily paying their now discounted bill,  you can easily say to them that you are looking for new clients. Would  they please recommend your service to their friends and family?

When you ask for business, even if it is simply by asking for a group of  customers to come back again, you allow those customers to feel welcome within your business. More so, they are happy to tell others about their  experience, especially when asked to do so.

#6: ASK CUSTOMERS TO COMPLAIN

Did you know that most customers who have a bad experience never  report that experience to the business? However, they do tell family and  friends about it, or even worse, they get online and start talking about it.  Ask customers to tell you of the problems they have with your business.

#7: KEEP THE PROMISES YOU MAKE

As a business owner, if you promise to do something for a customer, you  had better do it. The negative word of mouth advertising this will cause is  enough to cause any business to struggle significantly. However, when  you do keep your promises, customers will respond to that as well.

#8: DO MORE THAN THE MINIMUM

Next, work on going over the expectations of your clients. You do not  want to do the bare minimum or to get the basic level of acceptance.  Rather, you want to focus on beating their expectations so that your  business can flourish when they come back repeatedly so you can take  advantage of what you have to offer.

#9: SATISFY THE UNHAPPY CUSTOMER

The customer is never wrong, even when you know they are wrong. It  happens within every business. A misunderstanding leads to a  confrontation. You do not want to stand down or to lose business. How do  you handle the angry, unhappy customer? Do what you can to satisfy  them. In fact, many studies show that when an unhappy customer is  satisfied, they become a lifetime customer of the business, simply  because the business listened to them and fixed the problem.

#10: AS FOR REPEAT BUSINESS LATER, TOO

At first, you may ask for a customer’s repeat business when they are  leaving your establishment or even through your invoice online. However,  in a week or so, give them a call. Send them an email. Send them some

mail. Ask them to come on back to experience what you have to offer  again.

#11: LOOK THEM IN THE EYE

When you are working with customers hand in hand, shake their hand,  look them in the eye and let them know how important they are to you.  This establishes a bond of trust and it helps to develop customer loyalty.  Reach out, ask for their business and thank them for visiting you. This will make a difference.

As you will notice, virtually all of these word of mouth advertising  methods are free or inexpensive. They make sense. They should be part  of your advertising plan without fail. If they are not, add them in to the  mix to ensure that your business has the foundation it needs to excel in  2024.

FREE WAYS TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

We just spent a chapter working on word of mouth advertising. It is what  people need to know and need to use as the foundation of their business  success. However, every business needs to do more than that to get into  the eyes of the customer. However, most businesses, especially the start ups will find it hard to pay for these advertising methods.

If you could afford to hire a professional advertising company, you would  still see some of these free methods for promoting your business.  However, many people do not put in enough time to learn them.

The following are a few free ways to advertise your business. Some are  offline while others are online methods. Use as many as makes sense for  your business.

# 12: GOOGLE My Business

GMB is a local listing service on the web for local businesses. You  do not have to do much but contact Google Local and provide your  company name, address, phone number and website address. You will  need to verify this information through a postcard but it is easy and gets  you listed on Google easily.

#13: GOOGLE COUPONS

Have you considered coupons? Why not mesh coupons with Google. If it  sounds like something that is interesting to you, the good news is that it  is easy to do. You are able to bring in new customers and bring the old  customers back to you. All of this occurs through Google’s free coupon  tool that you use to get your business on local searches that are relevant  to your website.

#14: GET REVIEWS ON GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

One of the things that Yahoo local does that Google Local does not is to  allow customers to review your service. It takes only a few minutes to set  up this process, but encouraging your customers to visit the website and  to write a review is an important step in advertising local businesses. It is  free to do and takes moments, but it could mean the difference in a  customer choosing your business over another company’s business.

#15: SEND OUT PRESS RELEASES

You can send a press release to a news organization. This is a better  option than sitting around and waiting for them to come to you. Be sure  that what you have to say is newsworthy, and it should not be a blatant  advertisement of your business. For example, it could be a press release  announcing your collection of food for a local charity. It could be your  special fundraiser for a sit child. You can use online press releases in the  same manner, but be sure they are newsworthy before you try to have  them sent out.

#16: TRADE WITH OTHER BUSINESS  OWNERS

Is there a business that will compliment your own? When you find one  that is you should trade services with them. Alternatively, trade  advertising with them. For example, perhaps your business is a spa. You  know that those that come to your spa are concerned about their fitness.  You collaborate with a local fitness club and trade advertisement flyers at

your establishment for their business while they do the same for your  own.

#17: BUILD A WEBSITE and GET YOUR WEBSITE LISTED IN SEARCH  ENGINES

Most small businesses that are not selling on the web directly still need a  website since customers routinely use the web to research businesses  before they actually start using them. Those businesses that do have the  ability to sell on the web will need a specially designed website to  accommodate this need, generally an e-commerce site.

In either case, a website should be included. This way, you can inform  your customers of who you are and you can educate them on what you  can offer to them. Then, you can use your website to promote your  business further.

The next step in the process is to get your business listed in the search  engines. There are several ways to do this, but the most fundamental is  simply submitting your website to these search engines manually. Google  and Yahoo are the largest, but others are just as important. There are  software tools that will automatically submit your website or you can wait  around for the search engine spiders to find your website on their own.

#18: USE SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

Search engine optimization, or SEO is a type of advertising tool. When  you head to a search engine and type in words into the field to find  something, you expect the page that pops up to be full with the options  you have. Businesses work hard to be listed on that first page of the  search engine results. The higher that you rank on those pages, the more  likely it is that a customer or client is going to click on your website link  and visit.

Search engine optimization includes placing keywords (the words that  people enter into a search engine to find your business) into the content  on your website. You will need to learn what words people are using to  find businesses like yours.

#19: KEYWORD RICH TITLES

When it comes to your website, each title, whether for an article or for the page itself, should have a keyword within it. If you are in the business of  pet toys, be sure that you include words like pet toys into these titles.

The page title will also appear hyperlinked in the search engines when  people search for those words and find your website. You will need to  learn some basic formatting to learn how to make this happen.

#20: WRITE AN EFFECTIVE META TAGS DO NOT FORGET THE PICTURE TAGS

The META Tag is the description placed below your title in the search  engine results page. It is critical to provide the best tag possible,  describing what the individual will find when they visit your website. Use  keywords here, too.

#21: GET A BLOG

Using a blog on your website is a combination of benefits for online  advertising. First, a blog will help with search engine optimization because it allows you to add more information and pages to your site. This fresh  content is something that the search engines are looking for. In addition,  a blog allows your customers to sign up for it and they can then receive  regular communications from you through your blog. This is called an RSS feed and it is something that all website owners should have in place as it  costs very little or sometimes nothing.

#22: SET UP A NEWSLETTER

Yet another tool that will help you to build your website traffic and help  you to get customers coming back repeatedly is a simple newsletter.  When a client purchases something from your website or even just stops  by, they can sign up for your newsletter. Several times a year, or even  more frequently, you can send them a well designed newsletter to their  email box that contains information on the company, tips and tricks they  want to have and even provides them with incentives like sales to bring  them back to the company’s website. You are simply reminding them that  your website is there.

#23: REGULAR EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

Some businesses will benefit from more than just one newsletter sent out  every few months. If you need your clients to come back time and time  again, consider a regular email campaign. This system is set up to be  automatic. Once your client’s sign up to receive it (by simply adding their  name to your website sign up form) they will receive regular  communications from you regarding the business, sales or even providing  them with information that they need. Always included is a link back to  the website.

#24: RUN A CONTEST

Have you seen the numerous contests that website owners are running?  Do you think it would be fun to offer one but you are worried about the  costs? Offering a small gift certificate or even free service from your  business is often enough incentive to get people to sign up. However,  what you get in return is well worth it. For example, a popular option is to  have people to sign up to receive communications through an RSS Feed or through email. Once they do, they enter into a contest to receive a gift  card. You are getting all of those email addresses, which in turn will help  you to advertise your business to those new prospects.

#25: GET IT PRINTED

One of the mistakes that many people make when it comes to advertising  their business is to keep the online and the offline worlds of advertising  separate. This is a problem and it can hold back your sales. Start by  including your website in your printed literature and on your business  card. This will alert people that they can find out more about your  business services by simply turning to the website. Be sure your website  is on any of your printed invoices, receipts and other documentation you  may hand over to your clients. You want them to come back.

#31: SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Social marketing is one of the keys to online success. You have your  business website up, but now that it is, you need to get people to it. You  can do this through social marketing.

Many people do not realize just how important it is to be social in today’s  marketing world. It is likely that you will see more  websites develop that are designed to provide business owners with  numerous additional ways to market their business socially, rather than  through paid advertisements.

Social networking is the process of interacting with others one on one, or  at least informally. It is the opposite of paying for commercial  advertisement where you will sell your product through a catchy television ad. Rather, you are promoting your business by promoting yourself, by  simply interacting with customers one on one.

While it is hard to imagine doing this on your own, many websites help to  make it easier for businesses to interact on the web. The tools mentioned  in this chapter are websites you can join (mostly without cost) and begin  building your business.

Most of these websites have the same goal. You will sign up for them,  build a following by finding others to interact with and then socially build a relationship with them. You are providing both a personal experience and  advertising your business through them. Since most have this same style, the details of using these sites are only included.

Most of these will be all important places to  you to find others on the website that you know and  then allows you to connect with others in a business atmosphere. It has  less of a basis on social aspects than other sites, but it allows you to  become recommended by others, which can help you to increase  customers.

You  will chat with other users about their messages and send out your own.

You can often include links back to your blog posts or website as a way to  get clients to your site.You can search for those who are looking for such opportunities  and then friend them. All others who are your friends can see your  messages about a great deal.

How can YouTube.com, the popular video site really help you to promote  your website or your business? It is a form of social marketing. You will  post a video on the site that is directly or indirectly related to your  business. For example, as a plumber, you may want to show a video  about how to quiet that leaky faucet. Then, clients can get right back to  your website where they can purchase the tools they need to accomplish  the job. The key with YouTube.com is that it has such a high ranking in  the search engines and is easily going to help boost your search engine  ranking by linking to and from your website.

#32: HEADERS

As a part of advertising your website, you need to include keywords in  various areas of your website, including the headers (usually labeled as  H1, H2 and H3). These are the page headlines and sub headings within  the text. Google pays attention to these. Be sure to include keywords  within them.

#33: KEYWORDS

When you start to write any blog post or other type of content for your  website, it is important to include keywords in the right placement.  Specifically, position that keyword in the first paragraph of the page. It is  best to place it within the first sentence of that paragraph, specifically. Another tool for search engine optimization success is keyword density, or how frequently you include keywords in the test of your page. You want to strive to get enough in without too much. Google does not look favorably  on websites not ranked well. Try for a density that is under 2 percent for  the best results.

#34: LINKS

Within each of the pages you include, include hyperlinks to other pages of  your website. When you create these hyperlinks, be sure to use keywords  to help you to do so. This way, you are putting more emphasis on those  keywords and phrases. Next, focus on building your website up in the search engine rankings by  showing those websites that you are in fact an important resource. One of the ways that these search engines see this is by looking at the websites  that point into your website. These websites have links on them that link  to your website. Work on getting these in using a few of the methods  mentioned here.

#35: WEBPAGES

Webpages are an important element to search engine optimization. The  best websites, even for a small business, only need to have a few pages  to be effective, though. However, one thing you can do to boost your  search engine optimization is to dedicate one page to each of the top  keywords related to your website. By dedicating these target keywords  properly, you will have the tools necessary to build ranking in Google and  other search engines.

#36: FOCUS ON THOSE KEYWORDS

Hold on, what keywords, you may be asking. The key is to have keywords that are relevant to your website, but it is unlikely that you know every  word that people are typing into the search engines to find a business like  your own. However, you can research it and do so without paying for it.  You can use Google’s keyword tools or use one of the other free services  for this. The bottom line is that you should research keywords and not  assume you know what phrases are in use.

#37: LINK YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK SITES

First off, place a link to your website from each of the social networking  sites that you belong to. For example, if you joined LinkedIn, be sure your

website is listed on that website. This is an easy way to get links pointing  back into your website.

#38: LINK HOW TO ARTICLES

Are you writing how to articles for websites like eHow.com? Join free and  then submit helpful, factual articles to them. These short articles allow  you to place a link on them that will bring customers back to your  website. Ehow.com and other sites like them generally allow you to do  this and these websites have a large number of visitors each month.

#39: DO NOT FORGET EMAIL

Each of your email messages should have a link in it that brings people  back to your website. If not, include this in the automatic signature you  are allowed to use on the site.

#40: POST REGULARLY

A blog is a website. However, unlike other types of websites, this one has

a design to provide you with the ability to add more pages to it. Rather

than focusing on pages that stay the same, the pages have frequent

updates to include new information. Search engines love blogs because of

the fresh content. Website visitors love them for the same reason.

A blog should be one of the focuses of your business for 2018, since it is a

tool that allows you to connect with many of those who will visit your

website. It is a form of social marketing. It is a way for you to interact

with prospective clients. It is a way to build traffic to your website. You

need a blog.

There are many ways to use your blog to advertise, and many of them

have already been listed (such as socially networking the site.)

One of the keys to making a blog work for you is to post regularly. Try to  post three to five times per week, to generate traffic.

#41: INTERACT WITH OTHER BLOGS

Also, focus on other blogs that are not your direct competition but may be related. When you leave a comment on another company’s blog post,  include a link back to your own blog post (this helps with back links, too!)

#42: WRITE A GUEST POST

To get even more business; write a guest post for one of these blogs that  you visit. You will need to contact the administrator. In many cases, you  can have them guest post on your blog, too. This interchange helps to  create more traffic for both blog sites.

#43: BE UNIQUE

In order for your blog to do well, which in turn works as advertising for  your business, you really do need to show your readers that you have  something interesting and worth watching so that they will come back to  it, time and time again.

#44: BECOME A RESOURCE

A blog is a very inexpensive way for you to add content to your website.  However, it is also important for you to focus on building a level of respect on the web. You can do this with your blog. For example, if your business  is based on childcare services, be sure to include unique tips and tricks for parents to help them teach their child, rear their child or even crafts they  can do. This builds up a database for users and ensures your website is  helpful to those who use it.

#45: CREATE AN EFFECTIVE LANDING PAGE

Your blog will driver traffic to your website, but if it does not have an  effective landing page, people will turn the other way. Focus on ensuring  that your landing page, or the page people get to visit when visiting your  site, offers something intriguing to them. It should provide them with the  tools and resources they need. What is in it for them?

#46: INTERACT WITH OTHERS

One of the key benefits of using a blog to help advertise your business is  that you can get up close and personal with your clients. However, many  people do not do this. They do not spend the time necessary to interact.  They post a blog post and head off. Rather, interact with your customers

to build an interest. This will make a considerable difference whether  those who visit your website become your paying customers.

#47: PAID SEARCH

Consider paying for searches. In other words, consider paying to have  your website listed in search results pages. This is also a way for you to  get people to your website. The fact is, it is inexpensive to get your  website listed with Google Adwords for specific keywords. It is a way of  getting people to your blog to get interested in what you have to offer so  that you can turn around and sell to them. - 32 -

#48: GET ON PODCAST

No matter what your business is, get on podcast to promote it.  However, you do not have to do this through a direct ad. Find a news  story that you are an expert on. For example, if there was an explosion of  natural gas in your local area, contact your local news program and tell  them you would love to come on and talk about, the risks of natural gas  and how to prevent it from happening. Find a way to  connect with others in this way.

#49: OFFER LOCAL DISCOUNTS

To stand out from the rest, offer a local discount. Have it advertised on  commercials on television or radio. Many local markets are now doing a  50 percent gift card promotion for local businesses. Those who visit the  website get a gift card for $25 with a value of $50 in services. Chances

are good they will spend far more than this.

#50: WRITE FOR THE PAPER OR CREATE YOUR OWN

One of the best ways to gain stature in a local market is to write a column or an article in a local paper. For example, if you are an attorney for  bankruptcy, write an editorial piece on the struggles of locals who are  considering bankruptcy. This piece then serves as a way to distinguish you as the best professional to work with.

#51: DO GO FOR MEDIUM

Have you visited a website in which there was a figure of a person who  starts speaking to the website visitor? This person is an ideal tool to use  to help your business to show customers how to navigate your website or  how to interact with you.

#52: FOCUS ON LIVE CHAT

Another way to really impress your guests is by using software that allows for them to interact with a customer service representative right away,  right on the website! A good way to do this is to use an internal instant  messaging service. For example, you are a heating repair technician. The  client comes to your website to find out if they should have someone  come out. They can chat with a representative of your business to find out if it is a good idea or if they just need to press the reset button first.

#53: OFFER A FREE SERVICE

One way to stand out from the crowd is to give something away to the  customer. For example, while the other guy is charging clients for  something, you can offer it for free. Perhaps estimations are free. Perhaps you are offering a free eBook with a purchase or a free eBook for signing  up for a newsletter. Find a way to offer something free that the other  person is not. Value and discounts are important in 2023.

#54: EXPAND YOUR SERVICE AREA

If you can expand your online business into international markets, do so.  It is now easier for businesses to communication across seas and you  should invest the time it takes to build a business in this way if it makes  sense for your particular business. The world gets even smaller  as it becomes easier for you to communicate with those around the world  who want to do business with you.

The bottom line is that you do need to find a way to stand out from the  rest. If you can do that, your business will be a success.

#55: USE YOUR CAR

For local advertising, purchase a magnetic sign that can be placed on the  sides or the back of your vehicle that helps to advertise your business.  This is an easy way for you to show others about your business and it  does not damage the vehicle at all. You can even remove it when you do  not need to use it.

#56: GET LISTED IN YOUR CHAMBER OF  COMMERCE

The local chamber of commerce is one of the best resources for a new  business. This allows for the business to be listed as a business within the  city. Most local communities offer resources and tools to help that new  business to do well. In addition, they will help recommend your service to  those who are looking for help.

#57: GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS

Just like churches, schools often need help with sponsorships or activities. By helping out, you can get your business name published in a local paper or through other resources. This small type of advertising shows that you  care. By showing, that you are more than a business that is looking for a

profit is an important value element of advertising in 2018. #58: CHECK OUT TRADE FAIRS

Many times, local areas will have trade fairs or other events sponsored by  the local community as a way to help promote business within the  community. Find out if your community is offering this and if so, get  involved. Generally, an inexpensive booth allows you to hand out flyers to  those who may be interested in your business.

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#59 USE PROMOTIONAL TOOLS

Giving away items that you have your company’s name and website  address on them is a great way to grow your business. Be sure that you  give out items that are useful, such as giving pencils to schools or giving  away a coffee mug that people will use.

Finding ways to advertise locally is important. Focus at least some of your  efforts on the web, too, though even if you are a local business. - 38 -

#60: LOCAL BUSINESS NETWORKING

Find local businesses that are not your direct competition but have a  relationship to your business and network with them. Combine advertising dollars to do a campaign together, for example. This is an easy way for  both of your to benefit.

#61: WRITE A DIRECTORY

Pull together a directory of local businesses that are working together. For example, if your business has a focus on window repair, networking with  heating and air conditioning businesses, plumbing businesses and retail  suppliers to form a directory for home improvement. Circulate it locally.

#62: BUILD YOUR BLOG WITH OTHER  BUSINESSES

Including more than one business on a blog or website is not always a  good idea but it can work well in some instances. For example, you can  often refer a business to your clients or they can refer you. Try to network to build this type of relationships.

#63: TWITTER ABOUT OTHERS

Not only should you use social marketing for yourself but you can also use it to help promote other businesses who in turn will do the same for you.  For example, you can help to promote the blog posts by one company  through Retweeting their message on Twitter while they do the same for  you.

#64: CHECK OUT FACEBOOK GROUPS

Groups is a great place to find others both online and offline. To  use them, though, you do not want to solicit business. Rather, interact  about other companies and services locally within the group. Use your  signature line to help promote your business. Interact with other  businesses that can help promote you, too.

#65: GO WITH THE MOMMY BLOG

There are many ways that you can promote your business but some of the very best are those where you have personal recommendations by  another person. There are many mommy blogs out there, geared towards  mothers and written by mothers. Offer a sample of your product and  request that the blogger write a review of the product on their blog. You  can do the same for them, too.

#66: NETWORK WITHIN GROUPS

Like the mommy blogs, many online groups are a great place for you to  interact with others. Some of them even have a design towards helping  businesses to grow. You help others within the group with your knowledge and expertise while they help you. A search on Google for groups with the topic of your business is enough to find this group.

#67: DO HIRE A PRO

One of the best advertising tools for you is the professional. Rather than  working your business on your own, hire a professional to help you. More  specifically, for developing your website, for building your blogs and for  writing articles to submit to directories, look for experts who can do the  work for you, better than you can.

#68: DO NOT FORGET THE SALES PAGES

While many people in 2023 will be focusing on ways to build their  business socially, that does not mean you should stop selling to your  clients. You do need to. Focus on sales pages professionally written for the web. Flyers and other documentation for local businesses should deliver a  sales message, too.

#67: GIVE A WEBINAR

You may not think you have anything to tell people, but if you are selling  a product, there is likely a market that you can educate about it. Put on a  free webinar to teach others. You can do this online through a live chat or  even through video. Alternatively, do it locally. You will gain specific  recognition as a professional when you do this.

#68: TALK ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS

Whether online or offline, you do need to tell others about your business.  Be active at promoting it by simply telling people about it. For example, if  you are meeting the parents of your child’s friend, introduce yourself to  them. When the question of “what do you do” comes up, inform them.  Many times, this is an easy way for you to build your business  relationships up.

#69: DO NOT HIDE IT: ASK FOR THEIR  BUSINESS

Finally, the last tip that you will find for advertising your business is to ask for the business of others. There is no reason to hide behind all  the graphics and websites that you create. Rather, be sure to show others that you are in business and that you want to work with them.

It may be a handshake or it may be a phone call. It could be an email  message or just a blog site. Include language that comes right out and  says, “I would like your business.” That way, you are doing the one thing  that people are truly expecting this year. You are being honest and  upfront about your intentions.

Can your business make it? With the right advertising plan, your business  can excel. Take the time to consider the following tips and methods to  improving your business advertising plan. Use as many of these methods  as is possible, but do put together a cohesive plan that outlines your goals first.

What does your advertising plan include? How many of the following types of advertising methods can you use? Consider the following steps.

1. Look at each of the advertising methods mentioned here.  Determine which of these is most beneficial for your business. If it  is a possibility, note that it is. If the plan seems to be a good one  right off the bat, mark it as that. If there is no chance of it being  usable for your business, you should cross it off.

2. Create a list of those elements that you want to use. Determine  how to pursue each one. Determine the cost of each one, based on  your business model. Then, factor in your budget. How many of  these methods can you pull off?

3. Look for cost cutting methods. Look outside of the box before  writing off any of these advertising methods.

4. Build your business-advertising plan step by step. Create your  campaign, slogan and go for it.

5. Come back and look at your plan after you launch it. How well did  each of the elements work? Is there something more that you could have done or changes that you could have made? If so, factor those in for the next time around.

An effective advertising plan for 2024 tackles a wide range of mediums  and it delivers a clear message. It also provides consumers with a clear  solution to the ever-popular question, “What does this business do for  me?”