5 Easy Start-Up Marketing Tactics Telling people about your company is a lot easier--and cheaper--than you think.
By Wendy Frick
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You've got your product ready to sell. Now you're justwaiting for customers to start knocking on your door. Problem is,you don't hear any knocking.
That's when you start to think: "I have a fabulous newproduct that no one should be without and, of course, it'spriced to fit any budget. So how come it seems like nobody wants tobuy it?"
Ask yourself this: Are you sure people know about your product?A crucial key to selling your goods and services is to make surepotential customers know what you have to offer. To do that, youneed to tell the world what you're selling. And since theaward-winning advertising agency down the street isn't exactlygiving away its services, you're going to have to do themarketing yourself.
Where do you start? These days, almost anyone with a computerand an inkjet printer can create their own low-cost marketingmaterials. We've prepared a list of five key tools most'treps need when launching a new business:
2. Business cards. Don't leave home without them! Youcould meet potential clients anywhere, from a basketball game tothe grocery store. A business card is a great way to let anyone youmeet know how to contact you and learn more about your business.Your card should include your business name and address, your name,phone number, fax and e-mail. You can buy sheets of perforatedbusiness card stock at the office supply store and print your owncards, or have them professionally printed.
3. Signs. Use leftover art supplies around the house tocreate signs for your business. You can tack them up on publicbulletin boards and post them in your front yard or your window(but check with your city's zoning department first to find outabout any restrictions on the use or size of outdoor signs). Makesure that they are easy to read from a distance. Signs can besuccessful with nothing more than your company name and/or productand a phone number. An example would be "Grow 'N Mow LawnCare: Call 555-9875."
4. Brochures. If you want to give customers moreinformation about your business, create a double- or triple-foldbrochure. They're great to drop in the mail when a customercalls and wants to know more about your company and your product.Just remember to make them graphically appealing and easy to read.If you've had some nice compliments from satisfied customers,get permission to put their testimonials in your brochure. Yourbrochure is also a good place to display your company logo andphotos of your product.
5. A Web site. A company Web site is an essentialmarketing tool in today's world. This is where you can sendcustomers to get an unlimited number of details about yourbusiness. You can post a company history, photos and graphics ofyour products, helpful tips for using your products, moretestimonials from happy customers, and news about special offers orpromotions. You may be lucky enough to have a friend who can designyour site, but most Web hosting companies offer free or low-costsoftware, instructions and guidance. If possible, create a sitewhere customers can directly e-mail you and/or place ordersonline.
One major point to keep in mind whenever you're creating anykind of marketing materials for your company is to be sure all yourgrammar and spelling is correct. Have several people proofread yourmaterials before you print them or put them online.
Getting the word out about your company's awesome goods andservices isn't nearly as difficult as it may have seemed. Andit doesn't have to cost big bucks, either. All it takes is alittle creativity.
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