Effective, No Cost Ways to Promote your Home Business

You know very well that there is more to having a thriving business than offering the best widget on the block, or the best service in town.  Bill Gates would have remained sitting on his computers had he not found ways to advertise and promote his business.  You and Bill Gates are in the same boat; granted, he is riding in first class, and you are most likely still stuck in coach, but there is no reason why should not be able to work your way up to the big times as well.  Of course, your budget is tight and probably already stretched to the limits, so here are effective, no cost ways to promote your home business:

Show your face in public.  You not only run your business, but you are might also be a parent, spouse, church member, club member, athlete, biking enthusiast, cook, and shopper, right?  Maybe you even live in a home that is part of a homeowner’s association.  By extension, you might still be holding on to your full time job, correct?  So why not use your everyday life to promote your business?  If, for example, you run a nail salon as your home business, it pays off to ensure that your nails are always immaculate.  When you pick up your children from school, when you volunteer to accompany them on a field trip as chaperone, when you show up at the PTA meeting, and when you simply come to the parent teacher conference, these are all opportunities to showcase your work. Parents and teachers may comment on your nails, and this will be a great opportunity to let them know that you are “in the business” and that they could come in, for a discount of course, anytime.  Show up at all functions you can, go to the homeowner association meetings, go to your spouse’s company picnic, and go to the store often – these are all wonderful opportunities to meet people, talk about your work, showcase your work by using your own nails as advertisements, and none of these opportunities cost you a dime!

Show yourself at another business. Let’s say your good friend is running a hair salon down the street.  What a perfect opportunity to address the market share she already has established!  With a hefty discount on future nail treatments for your friend, and enticing discounts to her customers, you might be able to share in her marketing success simply by piggybacking onto her business! You might even consider doing nail presentations at her salon – this will increase her foot traffic as well as your client base, and it won’t cost you a dime. If you have other friends who run businesses, preferably if they are aiming at similar clientele, you might want to see if they, too, are willing to let you piggyback in return for discounts and similar piggyback privileges.

Network professionally and volunteer to help the professional organizations in your area.  This will get your name and business name out there; after all you will be recognized for setting up the convention space, volunteering to help with the clean up, or simply for greeting attendees to a convention.  Name recognition on such a large scale would normally cost a pretty penny, but due to your volunteering you just got it for free!

Show yourself in print.  Letters to the editor are a great way to get your name out there.  Ask your local newspaper if you could write a guest column one time about your business in general.  You can do something snazzy like “Ten Ways of Recognizing a Great Nail Salon” which will generate interest in the readership.  You will be surprised how many folks love reading short articles like that!  With your name, business name, and contact information proudly displayed in the byline, you will be sure to garner more business quickly!

Create reminder with your email signature.  This is a great opportunity to email coupons and your business information anytime you send someone an email.  This will go to friends, professional contacts, and anyone else with whom you do business.  What a great way to consistently get your name and business out there without spending even one penny!