Small businesses faceperiodic times of slow cash flow with precious little money to spend foradvertising. Here’s how you clear the hurdles and not spend a fortune doing it.
• Write a press release. Itwill cost you only the time it takes you to write it and the charge for faxingor mailing your release to your local news outlets. If you’ve just started yourbusiness, that should be the main news item. If your business has been aroundfor years, you’ll have to be a bit more creative: special offers, tire orservice tips, new technology or products, new employees – anything you canthink of that will help keep your name out there.
• Get involved in the online.This is as cheap as your advertising options are going to get. Online communityWeb sites often have sections for businesses to list their services, withcategories ranging from automotive services, to beauty shops, to pizza shops.
Check into online forums onsites that relate to your business. While you may not be able to advertise on suchsites, you may be able to include your business e-mail address or link to yourWeb site.
• Consider alternatives.Look into advertising with local alternative or independent (weekly)newspapers, or the local high school or college newspaper. Their space ratesare usually lower than regular newspapers.
• Don’t forget communityevents like county fairs where you can display your products or sponsor anevent. Be sure to participate in nearby car shows, which cost very little evenif you award inexpensive trophies or dashboard plaques.
– Source: Tire ReviewBusiness Toolbox
