1. Business Cards – one of the most important tool in one’s business.

Use the front and back of your business card to maximize benefit. Depending on your market you can put some very valuable information on the back such as biggest exhibitions, emergency numbers, visa agencies, sightseeing in your city, bus time table or any other.

Keep some in your purse, your car, on your office desk and some at home. Be sure to take them with you wherever you go and be ready to hand them out as opportunity presents itself.

Creatively distribute your card. When you eat out you can leave one with the tip.

If you borrow a library book, use one as a book mark and forget it inside when you give the book back. Hand them to assistants at stores who may know other people who could use your product or service.

When someone gives you their business card, don’t forget to enter their information in your database. Send them a short note or email within 48 hours of meeting them to keep your name fresh in their mind.

2. Sending a photo

A great way to keep your name fresh in a customer’s mind is to send them a photo of when they bought a product or service from you.

Put a picture of a customer’s buying in a beautiful calendar. He will enjoy watching it within next year.

When a customer makes a big purchase, make a picture with the shop owner. Frame the picture and send it to the customer.

Chances are very good if the photo will be seen by friends and family.

They can tell to somebody else about it, and that somebody else can be your next customer.

 

3. Associations

 

Associations particular to your market are a great resource for marketing. There are associations specific to any industry, job type or business. It your business is furniture, why not to become a member of association? You will get much more opportunities for knowing about you.

Associations are connected with presentations and publications in newspapers and magazines. For you is another chance to get more attention. And you will get a position of an expert that will increase your credibility.

Most organizations have the following opportunities that can help you to gain visibility and do some very effective marketing:

-News

-Internet listings

-Links to your website

-Discounted advertising rates

 

-Networking opportunities

 

-Special recognition events

 

-Education seminars

 

-Business and membership directories

 

In many cases you will need to be a member of the association to take advantage of the multiple marketing opportunities. In other cases there is no need in membership.

4. Committee Involvement

 

Committee involvement is a great way to give back to the association or community while building visibility for you and your business. In some cases, you may even want to get involved in a committee where you have little experience or knowledge. This will give you an opportunity to stretch yourself and meet and network with individuals you may not have otherwise had the chance to meet.

5. Cross-promoting

 

Join with other companies who have products or services that complement yours and promote each other. Let’s say you have beauty salon. You could partner with a slimming oil company to sell their body oil to your beauty salon clients. They can give out free coupons for your beauty salon. Or the slimming oil company can partner with a pharmacy. Cross-promoting is only limited by your imagination.

This can considerably reduce the cost of business promotion and allow each business to use promotion techniques that may be too expensive to implement alone.

 

6. Bonuses

Secure special offers from different companies who want to share a similar business as you. When a customer buys a minimum amount they receive a bonus package with the various suggestions from other manufactures. This is a win/win all the way around. The other vendors get visibility, you have something extra to offer your customers and the customers get incredible value for their purchase.

 

Remember the one who you cross-promote and joint venture with. You want someone who will be equally committed to a campaign.