Advertising & Marketing
By Margaret Ropp

There are many affordable and even free places to advertise your new business. First of all in all of your outgoing emails, be sure to have your business listed under your name – including your web link. Do a search online for Free Advertising, or Free Classified Ads.

You can also find affordable advertising offline too. Many smaller towns have very affordable classified ad options. If you go to your local library you can ask for a book called “Gayle’s Directory” which is a listing of print newspapers. You can look by state, and then by city and the directory gives you more information about the papers such as demographics, how many papers go out, how much the papers are, etc.

There are words that you can use in ads that seem to attract more interest. Words such as: Free, For a Limited Time, Save, Easy, Discover, New, and You.

The ads need to attract their attention, peak their interest, and move them to action. They need to know WHY they should visit your site. What’s in it for them? Why do they NEED the product?

You can also join a few networking groups online. Ryze (www.ryze.com) is a great resource for getting to know people. You get a free page to personalize as you see fit. Then join some networking groups and get to know the people there, sign their guest books, and watch for opportunities to talk about your business. I’ve met lots of people this way. I’ve also gotten referrals from people that know what I do!

There are also many yahoo groups that allow advertising. There are secret sister/pal groups where you can send your product as part of the gift exchange. You can also join groups that may not seem to be related. For example I am in some pet bird groups, because I want to more about caring for mine. But I am “active” in the group, asking questions, answering those I know, etc. BUT each post has my link in it with a little title. Make sure that signatures are allowed though and no spamming!

And don’t forget that online parties are an option too. I like these because I don’t have to get dressed up and I don’t need to find a babysitter! You need to advertise these well to get people to come though. If you don’t advertise, they won’t know you’re there!

Owner of Herbs 'n Birds - Stuff for Birds, Dogs & Cats
http://www.herbsnbirds.com

Herbalife - A Way of Life
http://www.shopherbalife.com/mropp