Now that I have placed a few of my older articles on my blog, I thought it was time to start some timely articles. Over the next few weeks, I am going to cover some low or no cost marketing ideas to help you get your small business off the the ground. Most people know these ideas as Guerrilla Marketing. As a small business owner, I have always been a fan of Guerrilla Marketing. Most people just starting out in business have a limited budget to start so they choose to not put money into marketing. This is of course a mistake because marketing doesn’t have to be expensive. Guerrilla Marketing is the art of using marketing ideas that are “out of the box” and low cost. This week, we will cover the first of several Guerrilla ideas.
This month’s section is about an often overlooked low cost marketing idea. One of our most effective marketing tools has been our business cards. It seems so simple, but our cards have helped us land a great deal of business. First, make sure your business card stands out. Color and dimensions can be extremely effective. A unique card will usually spark conversation and give you an opportunity to tell people about your business. Think of your business card as a mini-billboard. What do you want people to know about your business? Portray this with your card.
In order for your business card to work, you need to give a card to everyone you meet. We have given away over 2,500 business cards the past 6 months. Leave your card everywhere you go. For example, you can leave one with your tip when you eat at a restaurant or leave them on public bulletin boards around town. Make it a goal to give out 5-10 business cards to someone each and every day. Even if your card goes to someone who might not need your service now, they might know someone who does. You are also building brand recognition. The more you get your name out there, the better chance you have at being top or mind in the market place. The bottom line is, the more the cards you give out, the chances you have at being seen by someone who is in need of your services. Don’t be afraid to give out your cards and use them up. You might be surprised at the results!
