17 Practical No-Cost Promotions

I previously discussed how homebased business owners can become more media-savvy. This month focuses on effective and inexpensive ways to promote your business to the general public. When you really need new customers and money's squeaky tight, try some of my time-tested creative ideas for getting new customers to come to you. I'm 100 percent confident these tips will work for your homebased business, because I've tried them all in mine!

1. Ask your previous customers to write a letter of referral that you can show to prospects and post on your website. My research has shown that as they give you these letters, their own referrals to you will also increase.
    
2. Create a one-page newsletter and distribute it wherever you go. Your cost will be just pennies, and you'll be able to tell people more about what you do in a newsletter than you could in a brochure. Visit OnePageNewsletters.com for more ideas and promotional strategies on this powerful marketing strategy.
    
3. Put on an educational seminar at a public place such as your local library. Keep it educational so attendees won't feel they're being sold to. Then offer a private 30-minute one-to-one session to your attendees afterward to get better acquainted.
    
4. Write letters to the editors of local newspapers and business publications. And be sure you mention your website.
    
5. You do have a website, don't you? Even though it's not free, if you forego just one of your specialty coffees per month you can cover the cost.
    
6. Ask for introductions from your accountant, lawyer and even your clergy. People who know people are golden for your marketing.
    
7. Circulate to meet as many people as possible, gathering business cards as you go. Then hit the phone and e-mail to follow up immediately. Almost no one follows up these days, and you'll be noticed for your thoroughness.
    
8. Triple the number of business cards you hand out. Give each person you meet one card to keep, and two to give to others they meet who might need your service. Merely the suggestion of this will get them thinking-and will sometimes result in real referrals.
    
9. Ask people you meet how their businesses are doing. Then ask, "Could what I do be helpful to your business at this time?"
    
10. Publish your own blog. Blogger.com, owned by Google, is totally free. By linking to your own site, you'll also boost your own Google rankings.
     
11. Offer to speak to local civic groups. Most meet weekly, so they need 50 speakers per year. I've posted names of civic organizations on my website, MarketingTalks.com.
     
12. Team up with a colleague whose business complements yours and do joint promotions. As a copywriter and marketing consultant, I team up with graphic designers to mutually spread the word about our services.
     
13. Add a "tell a friend" button to your website to encourage viewers to direct others to your site.
     
14. At every public meeting, make a commitment to say something useful. I know this works; it's how I found my lawyer!
     
15. Write thank-you letters to businesses you frequent. A quick print shop owner posted my letter above his self-service photocopier. His customers read my letter and called to ask me to write for their businesses.
     
16. Make a bold flier and post it everywhere your prospects might lurk, such as Laundromats, supermarkets or community centers. Be sure to create tear-off tabs at the bottom so readers can take your phone number. Microsoft Publisher includes this form in its free template collection.
     
17. Create a dramatic handout with information about what you offer. Mine was entitled, "The 21 Most Common Direct Mail Mistakes and How to Overcome Them." Be sure your name, phone, e-mail, website and basic description are at the bottom of the document so readers can contact you.

Pete Silver is a homebased entrepreneur who's launched several successful businesses from his home over the past 20 years. He's also a creative marketing specialist and author who travels widely as a speaker and seminar leader. To find out more about Pete or his coaching service, log on to www.MarketYourBusiness.com.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, not of Entrepreneur.com. All answers are intended to be general in nature, without regard to specific geographical areas or circumstances, and should only be relied upon after consulting an appropriate expert, such as an attorney or accountant.