Simple & Inexpensive Ways to Promote Your Small Business!

by Perri Kersh
Professional Organizer
Member, Chapel Hill/Carrboro Mothers Club

• Take advantage of FREE marketing resources such as the Mothers Club newsletter, your child's preschool newsletter or bulletin board, your gym's bulletin board, a church newsletter
• Submit informational articles to your child's preschool newsletter, the Mothers Club newsletter, to related websites or local papers and magazines
• Put out an informational email to all of your friends and ask them to pass it along to others
• Trade business with a friend or another professional who can design business cards or create a website
• Take business cards with you wherever you go—to the park, the mall, preschool pickup, playdates, etc.
• Place a sticker on your car that advertises your business
• "Give away" services or products to get the word out. For example, if your child's school has a raffle, offer a few hours of service or a bundle of products for free. Or, give away an hour of your service for every successful referral you receive
• Find a national or local organization in your field and network with other professionals
• Seek out other local women doing their own thing and get together monthly for coffee to trade business ideas and ask for referrals
• Network with local small businesses that may promote your product or service. Perhaps they'll offer a discount that you can pass on to your customers
• Connect with local schools/universities for "cheap talent", interns and free advice

Posted September 2005