Promote Your Website > Website Promotion & Internet Marketing Information > Marketing Resources

Finding Marketing Resources

In order to sell your product or service, you have to let potential customers know who you are, what you offer, and how to contact you.  In a nutshell, you need to market yourself.  So, how do you find quality marketing resources?

Creating a Plan

Before you start looking for marketing resources, you need a plan.  A business plan will give you an idea of who your customers are, why they will buy what you’re selling, and how you might advertise.  For information on creating a business plan, do an online search for “business plan.” 

Low Cost Advertising Options

Once you know who your customers will be and why they want what you’re offering, start looking at ways to advertise.  Consider these free and low-cost marketing resources:

• Put up a website.  Along with a website, make sure you register a number of email addresses that include your business name.  If your business is Mary’s Masks and you register the site www.marysmasks.com, create email addresses like mary@marysmasks.com and questions@marysmasks.com.  Use those email addresses for everything – business and personal. 
• Get out into the community.  Attend Chamber of Commerce meetings and events, small business association meetings, and other organizational gatherings that might attract clients.
• Ask for a business card from anyone you speak with and follow up with a phone call or email.  Even if they can’t use your services or product, they might know someone who does.  Add them to your e-mailing list.
• Offer a useful freebie of some sort and don’t leave the office without some.  A pen with the business name and contact info or a 2 page booklet about your industry with your address and phone number are great low-cost advertisements. 
• Partner up with complimentary businesses.  If you make masquerade masks, contact party supply houses and costume shops with a joint-venture proposal.  What other services or products would compliment yours?
• Write letters.  Whether to the editor of the local paper or a business magazine, write interesting, newsworthy letters.  Don’t forget that all-important contact information and your website address.
• Create a monthly e-newsletter.  Find interesting stories and trivia about your industry and include information about new products or services.  Email it to all of your contacts. 
• Barter with others.  Offer your goods or services for free or very low cost in exchange for other services or goods.  A mask maker might swap a few masks to decorate the walls of the local office supply store in exchange for printing flyers. 
• Utilize press releases.  You can send press releases to newspapers and television stations they may opt to print in their publication or online.
• Offer to speak.  Speaking engagements cost nothing but time.  Find groups for people who might purchase your product and offer to speak at their next meeting. 

More Costly Advertising Options

If your budget allows for a little more, your options include:

• Direct mailings.  Whether you choose postcard, flyer, or informational newsletter mailings, these are a great way to get your name out.  Choose a catchy hook that will make the recipient want to read more. 
• Take out a radio or TV commercial. 
• Create a print ad for a newspaper or magazine.
• Rent a space at a trade show.
• Go for a unique business card, like a small pad of paper with your contact info on it. 

To get ideas for other marketing resources, look at purchases you’ve made.  What made you buy that last widget?  Where do you look for gadgets?  You are a consumer and so are your potential customers.  Don’t forget to look at what your competition is doing and research the success.  There is nothing wrong with gaining inspiration by watching those around you.