| "15 Easy Ways to Advertise Off-line" by Vickie Carlson www.Candle-Hounds.com Here are a few pretty simple and affordable things you can get started with today to promote your home business in the real world. 1. Create flyers and post them to bullitin boards at stores, churches, daycare's laundry mats, beauty shops, etc. Remember to always get permission from a manager first if you are supposed to. 2. Have t-shirts, hats, tote bags or buttons made and then WEAR them! While you're out running errands, people will undoubtedly notice and ask you about your product or service. 3. USE your product! If you sell jewelry, wear it! If you sell candles, burn them. If you sell clothes, show them off. If you sell housewares, decorate your home with them. Believe in your product and others will too! 4. Pass out business cards everywhere you go! Leave 2 or 3 cards with people so they can give them to friends, put them in your bills, leave on the table with a tip, hand one to the cashier at the store, drop them into lunchtime drawing jars. You can get them free, just pay shipping & handling from http://www.vistaprint.com, so there is no reason to not have them. 5. Talk to people everywhere you go! Strike up a conversation, ask them what they do and if they like it. Don't pre-judge. You never know who may be interested in what you're offering or in starting their own home business. Be interested in what they say to you, get a feeling for what their needs are and then offer your solution whether it be your product, service or opportunity. 6. Us your car to advertise with hanging signs in the window, magnetic car signs or I.D. plates and drive traffic to your site or business. In an average day, several hundred people will see your car and rememeber your sign later on. Check with your tax laws, as I've heard in some states this may classify your vehicle as "commercial" so bear that in mind. 7. Give a "Club Card" that can be punched (or crossed off) with each purchase. Example: One punch for every $10 purchase (no. 1~10 across bottom of the card) and offer a FREE item or percentage OFF next item purchased. This guarantees repeat customers, as they will buy to earn the free item or discount. The amount spent and freebie/discount can be anything you choose. 8. Advertise in your local newspapers. "Bargain Hunter" and "Penny-Pinching" ads work well getting started with. They are usually low cost and reach an entire local area and are read (believe it or not) by most people. You can also place ads on your local TV stations and radio stations. 9. Swap advertising flyers, biz cards and "perks" with other businesses. This can be done either online with other small businesses, or with local storefront businesses. Introduce yourself to several businesses and offer to pass out their promotional material if they could leave a few ads in their store for you. 10. Begin a newsletter and mail it to your customers monthly or bi-monthly. Keep them updated on your new products, sales & specials, upcoming events, or anything else relevant to your business. Other information can include decorating tips, recipes, safety issues, home & family fun, projects, anything at all that you think your customer would be interested in and reflects your service. 11. If you can afford this, have some sales aides made up. These can be calendars, pens, pencils, refrigerator magnets, snack bag clips, memo pads, post-it notes, monitor cleaners, novelty games, stress balls, etc. You can even get your ad on a mousepad! Get these printed up with your business information on them. Everyone loves a great freebie, especially if it's useful! You can get started with simple items from The Oriental Trading Co. They offer tons of theme items at low, low prices. 12. Put your URL on your checks. You aren't even aware of everyone who sees your checks and anyone of these people could become a customer. If possible, get your e-mail address printed on them as well. Do the same with your pre-printed return address labels too! 13. Have a self-inking or rubber stamp made up with your business URL and contact information on it. Start stamping every piece of paper, brochure and catalog before it goes out. It only takes a minute to do it. 14. Host and OPEN HOUSE! This is an EXCELLENT way to get your name out there if you are just starting out and to show customer appreciation if you're already in the full swing of things! Invite family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, past customers, etc. Have a display of your products, some awesome finger food and a few door prizes. Offer a free gift or a discount if they order today, then give them a couple of business cards, coupon and catalog to take with them for their NEXT order! For those of you that accept payments online with PayPal, PayCodes is an awesome coupon system and the only one online that works in conjunction with PayPal. I've used it successfully and my customers love the savings. 15. Last but not least, don't be afraid to ask! Ask for the sale, if you offer your product for home shows, ask for a booking. The only thing they can say is "No Thanks" and that's not so bad. Chances are, they'll remember you in the future when they need what you are offering. TOP OF PAGE |
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| THE ARTISAN ARTICLE Expressions In The Arts ~a creative forum~ Contributing Author:: Vickie Carlson is a full-time work at home mother, owner of Candle-Hounds.com and editor of WAHM Zine Weekly, an on-line ezine and discussion forum. |
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