Wouldn’t it be great if we decided we wanted to start our own business, visualized, planned, and opened it. Then, all we had to do was wait, and people would start calling us for business, and our “in box” would be full of requests and orders? Well, it doesn’t happen that way does it?

You have to get the buzz out about your business, and unless you have a large marketing budget, it means a lot of old fashioned hard work on your part.

Some ideas for low cost marketing include:

Article banks:
Are you an expert in your field? If you are opening a business, you should know something about it. My business happens to be gardening. Can you imagine the articles that could be written and submitted? I have written several that have been placed on other websites. Often, people have good websites selling great products but they need content that people can use to keep coming back to reference. Be sure and sign your article with your name, website url, and your blog address. One article bank I use is ezinearticles.com

Don’t have a blog? Think you have don’t have the time? Blogs are easy to develop and easy to maintain. I post on mine at least every few days, and when ideas dry up, I have posted articles provided by other businesses who are trying to grow. My blog was created using blogger.com. Others include typepad and wordpress. Find the one easiest to use for you. My blog header was created by my webmistress Cherie at www.redlimeweb.com but all content is provided by me. Provide content that would appeal to your audience. Sell golf clubs? Provide content on Tiger’s latest victory, ways to improve your game, or how to care for your clubs. Why not post an article about the health benefits of golf? Get the idea? This is free content that will attract a buyer or client, and make them want to return to you for their purchase. Google the web for a business that is similar to the product or service you provide. How are they promoting their business? Read their blog and get ideas. Could you possibly partner with them?

Team up with a business that compliments your business.

There is enough out there for all of us. Don’t think of everyone as competition. Think outside your business circle. I occasionally write about gardening with kids on my blog since I have two granddaughters that I am introducing to gardening. I teamed up with a young mother who makes adorable childrens clothes and posted an article on her business including a picture of the dresses she makes. In turn, she posted two of my gardening with kids articles on her blog. Your blog should not be an advertisement. That is what your website is about. You can, however, occasionally showcase one of your great products and direct them to your site. Notice I am writing for successful woman? How does this relate to gardening? I think you get the idea now.

Develop a newsletter or email compaign.

Regular contact with your customers will keep you fresh in their mind. Follow up a sale with a thank you note.

Sign up for these emails:

www.helpareporterout.com

You receive three emails everyday with request from reporters or bloggers for information. I find at least one weekly that pertains to my business. I have also submitted products for review through this service. My goal is to have enough money to advertise on their site and become the “person to contact” on all things gardening. The requests are often from major news shows such as Fox and Friends, or magazines such as Good Housekeeping and Parents magazine.

www.businesshelpingbusiness.com

Post your needs or your haves.

I posted that I will provide content for blogs, newsletters etc. This is how I met Monica, the owner of this site. In turn, I post a link on facebook, twitter, and my blog, for anyone wanting to read this article. This sends someone to her site.

Post your needs: I posted that I wanted to be “discovered”. I received a lot of good ideas from marketing and advertising companies. It was free. I kept all those emails with their business information. When I have enough money to develop a marketing campaign, those are the people I will use.

Karen

www.gardenchick.com

www.gardenchick.com/garden-blog