Oprah Spends Money on Advertising/Marketing: Do You?

Oprah advertises on television. She makes sure that viewers know what channel to watch her show. Are you letting your customers and clients know how to get in touch with you?

Advertising/marketing must be done regardless of your budget. Below are my tips for advertising/marketing your business.

Freer
Article writingr
Bloggingr
Social Networkingr
Word of mouth advertisingr
Speaking Engagements, (you may be paid as a speaker and actually make money)
Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce Member to Member Flyersr
Internet Radio interviewsr
Host your own radio showr
Free Business Listings on various websitesr
New Jacksonville-Onslow County Chamber of Commerce members get a free 8-minute interview on The Talk Station or five free advertising spots.
Host a free teleseminarr
Start a newsletter using a 60-day free trial and use Merchant Circle newsletter optio

Small Fee – under $100
Networking Eventsr
Classified Adsr
Advertising space in Association or Group newslettersr
DIY Brochures
DIY Business cards
DIY Rack cards (DIY projects can end up costing more money than you anticipate due to errors you make or time you are not working with clients while you are busy designing your items)
Promotional materials such as pens, pencils, postcards, magnets, coffee mugs etc.
Guerilla Marketingr
Print flyers and hand them outr
Newsletter
Pay for someone to write your articlesr
Pay for someone to manage your social networking

Medium Fee - $101 - $500
Newspaper advertisingr
The Talk Station radio advertisingr
Brochures designed by a professionalr
Business cards designed by a professionalr
Rack cards designed by a professionalr
Window graphicsr
Movie theatre advertising dependent upon locationr
Promotional materials such as pens, pencils, postcards, magnets, coffee mugs etc.
Expo fees
Coffee Newsr
Membership fee to join various Associationsr
Networking registration or meal feesr
Money Mailerr
Banner Advertisingr
Pay Per Click Advertising

High Fee - $500 or higherr
Advertising in National Magazinesr
Car wrapr
Professional Website designr
Movie theatre advertising dependent upon locationr
Expo feesr
Television advertisingr
Billboardr
Banner Advertisingr
Pay Per Click Advertisingr
Direct mailr
Telemarketingr
Radio Advertising

As you can see, there are many free or low cost ways to market or advertise your business. The lists above are just a few suggestions. Do you have a marketing plan? I want you to take out a calendar and design a 90-day plan. Write down what or how you are going to do to advertise/market your business.

I also want you to take a hard look at your finances. Be honest and realistic. How are you going to spend your money? Design a plan incorporating the suggestions above based upon your budget. Do not be embarrassed if your 90-day calendar is filled with free or low cost ways to advertise or market your business. Only you know your budget. It is better to do something than to do nothing.

Remember, it is your responsibility to let customers and clients know you are still in business. It is not their job to track you down to see if you are still in business.