Ways to Promote Your Business

There are many more than ten ways to promote your business.  This blog will list only ten of the many many ways. More blogs will follow with more suggestions.

1. Social Media. Accounts on facebook or twitter give business owners the opportunity to make daily announcements and updates without being annoying and "getting in the faces" of customers.  Two of the pages for restaurants that I follow on facebook keep me updated daily with the special of the day.  Gives me info of interest in a quick and easy way. 
2. Network.  Build a network of contacts. Join organizations, but more importantly show up and show up prepared to participate with business cards! Have you ever asked someone for a business card and they "left them home", they don't do much good there.
3. News releases.  Most business owners I know are not using press releases.  I don't have anything new to say about my business is often the reason given. What about an employee of the month, a monthly draw for a give away, an announcement of an upcoming exhibit of drawings by school children on a specific topic, an event in support of a charity, and the list goes on. 
4. Ask for referrals. Don't be shy about it, ask your happy satisfied customers if they know of someone who may be interested in your products or services. Then follow up. 
5. Advertising and promotional materials.  Well designed and the best quality you can afford. Home made business cards can be an excellent marketing tool, as long as they are well designed and on the best quality paper you can get. Attention to detail in everything you do for your business reflects the standards you set in your business. 
6. Take part in local community events, be a sponsor or a judge or a competitor. 
7. Take part in trade shows or sales. Get information about your business out to potential customers
8. Have a well planned marketing plan. It doesn't have to be expensive, just well planned. Know your customer and how to reach them with updates about your business
9. Monthly, quarterly newsletters, either by snail mail or electronically.  Of course electronically is cheaper to distribute but that may not reach your customers. 
10. Join organizations that support and encourage the growth of businesses in your area. The local branch of the Chamber of Commerce often offers networking events and other business related activities.