EnTrends

ADVERTISING

Advertising can be as simple as
placing classified ads in your

local newspaper or as grand as
purchasing television advertising

slots. Here's a few ideas:

=> Classified Ads

Place small classified ads in your
local and city newspapers and
include the URL of your website.

=> Yellow Pages

If you purchase display advertising
in the Yellow Pages, be sure

to include your URL.

=> Flyers

One page flyers advertising your
product or service and including
your URL can be printed cheaply and
left on car windshields or distributed
via letterbox drops in your local area.

=> Local TV Guide

Your local TV guide can be a good
place to advertise cheaply if your
product or service is of particular
interest to a local geographic target
audience. Again, be sure to include
your URL.

=> Radio Advertising

Radio advertising can be an excellent
buy for many small businesses. Call
the sales department of several radio
stations that target your
demographic. Be sure to ask about
rates for different times of day and
package deals.

=> Television Advertising

You're not going to be able to afford
the high price advertising exposure
that's offered by the likes of ABC or
NBC but you may be surprised at
how affordable advertising on your
local cable channel can be. Contact
the sales department of your cable
provider for

details. This type of advertising is
particularly effective if your product
or services is oriented toward a
specific geographic target market.

=> Direct Mail

Mailing lists of various sizes are
available for rent or purchase

for direct mailing your offer to
prospective customers.

=> Press Releases

Press releases can act as a form of de
facto advertising. Send your press
release to the editors of print
periodicals.

NETWORKING

Any local community offers ample
opportunity for networking. Each
networking function you attend is an
opportunity to publicize your
business and your website. Consider
the following:

=> local Chamber of Commerce

=> local industry groups

=> school functions

=> social events

=> charitable organizations

=> community functions, and

=> public speaking.

EVERY CHANCE YOU GET

Last but not least, getting the word
out should be a daily habit.

=> Telephone

Every time you answer your
business phone be sure to give the
caller your website address so they
can find out more information about
you and your business. Make sure
your website address is included in
the message recorded on your
answering machine.

=> Mail Inserts

Include a small insert promoting your
business and your website in every
piece of mail that leaves your home
or

office.

=> Word of Mouth

Finally, perhaps the most effective
and under-appreciated tool of them
all word of mouth. Talk about your
business and your website at every
opportunity and encourage your
customers, friends, family and
colleagues to do the same. You
would be surprised at just how many
businesses out there owe their

success to little more than word of
mouth referrals.

Successfully promoting an online
business requires a sound
understanding and methodical
application of the principles of

online marketing and promotion.

But to focus on online methods to
the exclusion of offline does only
half the job. Give due attention to
offline methods of promotion in
conjunction with your online
promotional efforts to ensure the
widest possible coverage of ALL of
your potential

markets.Offline Promotion Matters
Too

Elena Fawkner is editor of A Home-
Based Business Online ... practical

business ideas, opportunities and
solutions for the work-from-home

entrepreneur.

http://www.ahbbo.com