Small Business Articles
A Few Advertising Ideas To Make Your Small Business Stand Out
December 04, 2008
Business leaders of every variety agree that one of essential building blocks of a successful business is its marketing campaign. At one time, things may have been different, but as it stands today in America, there is overwhelming competition in almost every business market, and everyone is working to advertise their products and services. Consumers are bombarded daily with more information than their minds can hold, and only that which is most important or most interesting is retained by day’s end, so every business’ goal is to make their name that bit of retained information.
As you begin your own small business, advertising will be key to your success as well. Almost all franchises come with a pre-established marketing system, but going above and beyond the advertising schemes provided is seldom frowned upon. Here are 10 creative ideas you can bring to your local marketing campaign to boost sales and put your franchise business ahead in the market.
#1) Online Ads
This has rapidly become the most popular and lucrative method of advertising available today. There are two reasons for this: first, it’s the cheapest means of advertising, and second, consumers today are doing more research and shopping online than they are in stores.
Because this is such a ripe advertising idea, though, many businesses are already exploiting it, which means that your advertising has to stand out, so be creative. One viable option for advertising creatively is incorporating a game into your advertisement. Interactivity goes a long way in promoting your franchise.
#2) Business Cards
The term "grassroots" has amassed something of a cultural following in the wake of mass advertising, and for good reason. Meeting people, passing out business cards, and advertising by word of mouth isn’t capable of reaching as many hearers at one time as larger marketing methods, but people trust a flesh-and-bones person and the positive words of a friend more than any amount of billboards. Particularly in a business like interior painting, the Fresh Coat Painters franchisee would do well to invest in a truckload of business cards, so that he and his clients can advertise for him.
#3) Community Involvement
People love a company with a conscience. Not to say that community service should be done solely as an advertising scheme, but if you, as a home based business owner, are naturally interested in giving back to the community, don’t hesitate to let people know that your business is involved in serving the people of the area.
#4) Drawings & Contests
As stated in #1, people like interactive advertising (just think of the success of the McDonalds Monopoly game). A good way of reeling old clients back into your business is by giving them opportunity to participate in some kind of game and potentially win something.
#5) Yellow Pages
It’s commonly overlooked today, but the yellow pages still offer a viable advertising platform, and many people do still use it to find services that they need. It is important, however, that your Club Z In-Home Tutoring ad be as big as you can afford, as people are far more likely to call the more visible ads when looking for a tutor for their children.
#6) Direct Mail Ads
Everyone gets ads in the mail, and sometimes they’re worth getting: providing a coupon or another handy discount on something necessary. Direct mail is often downplayed, but how many major food chains keep sending them out and keep profiting from them? Let’s assume they know what they’re doing. And direct mail ads are certainly better than email ads and phone calls, which most people have come to have a deep distaste for.
#7) Advertising with Invoices
Definitely winning creativity points, this method of advertising is great for bringing back current clients by giving discounts to people who you already know want your products. And if you make the advertisement something interesting, like a bring-a-friend promo, then you are effectively doubling your clients.
#8) Newspaper and Magazine Ads
These are about as classic as advertising can get. Though many companies are turning away from magazine ads because they’re more expensive than online advertising, finding the right local magazine or paper to advertise in can be both profitable and relatively inexpensive. For instance, advertising a Doody Calls pet cleanup franchise in nearby neighborhood magazines and the local humane society newspaper/flyer puts your business in the eyes of just the people you want without costing an arm and a leg.
#9) Radio Ads
Radio can be a rather inexpensive way to advertise your work from home business. Local radio stations offer a great way to put your services in the public eye without all the production work (and therefore cost) that goes into graphic and video ads.
#10) Trade Show Participation
There are trade shows out there for everything, and they’re a great business opportunity. The best part about being involved in one is that it puts your business in contact with the people who are most interested in using your services. Take your Racing Limos business to an auto industry show, and you get instant attention from the gear-heads that are most likely to be interested in renting your racecar-inspired limos. Plus, you get the added bonus of meeting other auto business owners with whom you can establish mutually beneficial professional relationships.
When you purchase a business for sale, one of the features you need to give the most consideration to is their marketing system. And even if you find one that is already strong, don’t hesitate to get creative to advance your local advertising even further than the root plan provides for. Business opportunities are everywhere; it’s just a matter of putting your name out there as much as possible and drawing those opportunities to yourself.
Business leaders of every variety agree that one of essential building blocks of a successful business is its marketing campaign. At one time, things may have been different, but as it stands today in America, there is overwhelming competition in almost every business market, and everyone is working to advertise their products and services. Consumers are bombarded daily with more information than their minds can hold, and only that which is most important or most interesting is retained by day’s end, so every business’ goal is to make their name that bit of retained information.
As you begin your own small business, advertising will be key to your success as well. Almost all franchises come with a pre-established marketing system, but going above and beyond the advertising schemes provided is seldom frowned upon. Here are 10 creative ideas you can bring to your local marketing campaign to boost sales and put your franchise business ahead in the market.
#1) Online Ads
This has rapidly become the most popular and lucrative method of advertising available today. There are two reasons for this: first, it’s the cheapest means of advertising, and second, consumers today are doing more research and shopping online than they are in stores.
Because this is such a ripe advertising idea, though, many businesses are already exploiting it, which means that your advertising has to stand out, so be creative. One viable option for advertising creatively is incorporating a game into your advertisement. Interactivity goes a long way in promoting your franchise.
#2) Business Cards
The term "grassroots" has amassed something of a cultural following in the wake of mass advertising, and for good reason. Meeting people, passing out business cards, and advertising by word of mouth isn’t capable of reaching as many hearers at one time as larger marketing methods, but people trust a flesh-and-bones person and the positive words of a friend more than any amount of billboards. Particularly in a business like interior painting, the Fresh Coat Painters franchisee would do well to invest in a truckload of business cards, so that he and his clients can advertise for him.
#3) Community Involvement
People love a company with a conscience. Not to say that community service should be done solely as an advertising scheme, but if you, as a home based business owner, are naturally interested in giving back to the community, don’t hesitate to let people know that your business is involved in serving the people of the area.
#4) Drawings & Contests
As stated in #1, people like interactive advertising (just think of the success of the McDonalds Monopoly game). A good way of reeling old clients back into your business is by giving them opportunity to participate in some kind of game and potentially win something.
#5) Yellow Pages
It’s commonly overlooked today, but the yellow pages still offer a viable advertising platform, and many people do still use it to find services that they need. It is important, however, that your Club Z In-Home Tutoring ad be as big as you can afford, as people are far more likely to call the more visible ads when looking for a tutor for their children.
#6) Direct Mail Ads
Everyone gets ads in the mail, and sometimes they’re worth getting: providing a coupon or another handy discount on something necessary. Direct mail is often downplayed, but how many major food chains keep sending them out and keep profiting from them? Let’s assume they know what they’re doing. And direct mail ads are certainly better than email ads and phone calls, which most people have come to have a deep distaste for.
#7) Advertising with Invoices
Definitely winning creativity points, this method of advertising is great for bringing back current clients by giving discounts to people who you already know want your products. And if you make the advertisement something interesting, like a bring-a-friend promo, then you are effectively doubling your clients.
#8) Newspaper and Magazine Ads
These are about as classic as advertising can get. Though many companies are turning away from magazine ads because they’re more expensive than online advertising, finding the right local magazine or paper to advertise in can be both profitable and relatively inexpensive. For instance, advertising a Doody Calls pet cleanup franchise in nearby neighborhood magazines and the local humane society newspaper/flyer puts your business in the eyes of just the people you want without costing an arm and a leg.
#9) Radio Ads
Radio can be a rather inexpensive way to advertise your work from home business. Local radio stations offer a great way to put your services in the public eye without all the production work (and therefore cost) that goes into graphic and video ads.
#10) Trade Show Participation
There are trade shows out there for everything, and they’re a great business opportunity. The best part about being involved in one is that it puts your business in contact with the people who are most interested in using your services. Take your Racing Limos business to an auto industry show, and you get instant attention from the gear-heads that are most likely to be interested in renting your racecar-inspired limos. Plus, you get the added bonus of meeting other auto business owners with whom you can establish mutually beneficial professional relationships.
When you purchase a business for sale, one of the features you need to give the most consideration to is their marketing system. And even if you find one that is already strong, don’t hesitate to get creative to advance your local advertising even further than the root plan provides for. Business opportunities are everywhere; it’s just a matter of putting your name out there as much as possible and drawing those opportunities to yourself.
