Do you have very low advertising budget? Although, as a rule, new businesses do have to spend more time and money on advertising, there are lots of free or inexpensive ways to promote your business. Sometimes the best methods are the least obvious.

1. Fantastic first impressions The first rule of marketing is to make your first impression count. The first and last impressions are the only ones that will be remembered.  No matter what type of business you have, you are always selling yourself. Confidence and professional appearance is paramount. Dress and groom yourself appropriately. A uniform or recognizable code of attire always makes a more favourable impression.  For more details, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients Demonstrate!  One of the best ways to expose people to your skill and knowledge is to demonstrate it publicly via lectures and demonstrations. This is also a wonderful way to gain exposure and public acceptance for a technique or topic that is relatively unknown.  For a detailed how-to, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients 
2. Home parties Home parties are an ideal way to sell either retail sales or services without the commitment or expense of an office or storefront. You travel to clients and serve them in their own home or office.  Home parties promote multiple sales at one time. You have freedom to choose your hours and availability. Expenses are minimal, since all you need is a cell phone or answering service, and transportation. Your clients advertise and organize the event for you. You just show up with your products.  To learn how-to, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients    

3. Write about it!  Afraid to stand up in front of an audience? Start your own newsletter, instead! Or offer ‘tip sheets’ to clients. Or write an article about your topic of expertise and offer it to a local magazine or newspaper, or relevant website.  For more details, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients 

4. Become Newsworthy  Whether it is your grand opening, the launch of a new product or service, or an award you have won, use every opportunity that comes your way to get your name in the news or on people’s minds. Even a timely letter to the editor can create notice for your business.  To learn how to write a Media Release to catch an editor's attentiont, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients  

5. Give out Free Samples  Free services and product samples can be a great way to promote your services, if properly presented. People are often reluctant to spend money to try a new or unproven product, or to use the services of a person who lacks experience.  Free samples and discount coupons or certificates allow people to try something without risk or loss. Samples build consumer confidence and acceptance of your product. Free samples should be viewed as an advertising expense, not as acts of benevolence.  For details on appropriate places and situations to offer free samples of your services, order the informative guide Marketing Made Easy

6. Utilize your Telephone Answering Machine Message  Your answering machine should not be your receptionist. It should be your most important direct advertising medium.  Your message should clearly and concisely explain what you do and when you are available.  For a script of the ideal answering machine message, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients 

7. Networking  Networking is essentially word-of-mouth advertising. It doesn’t cost anything, except your time. It is one of your most effective marketing tools, since it requires direct interaction with people.  Direct interaction allows you to sell yourself through communications, body language, your attire and grooming, and how you present yourself. It gives potential clients an opportunity to build trust and confidence in you. Therefore, the client base you build will, overall, be more loyal and lasting.  Every time you speak to someone about what you do, every time you pass out a business card or brochure, every time you talk to someone and exchange information of any kind, you are networking.  To learn how-to network effectively, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients 

8. Nurture your Referrals  Let the satisfaction and enthusiasm of your loyal clients market your business for you!  Clients are your endorsement, your references, and your walking billboard. They are your goodwill ambassadors! Treasure and respect your existing clients and they will multiply.  On average 5% of your customers will bring you 80% of your business. Follow up on each appointment to ensure each client is satisfied. Ask if you can do anything to improve your service. You will make your client feel valued and special.  To learn how to maximize your referrals and repeat clients, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients 

9. Reciprocals  Find a business that complements your and ask them if you can trade referrals, or if they will allow you to piggy-back on their mailing list.  Perhaps you can convince them to purchase multiple units of your services from you at a discount rate.  You will first need to convince any professional that you can offer them something they value, such as reciprocal referrals, commissions on sales they make for you, traded services, discounts on purchases they make from you, or enhancement of their own services or reputation.  Offer to provide free samples to your prospective advocate, or to their clientele. After proving your skills, the professional may then be willing to refer clients to you.  To learn how to maximize your receprocal business relationships, order the informative guide CAM Professional's Guide to Attracting Clients 

    

(c) 2008   This article is excerpted from CAM Professionals' Guide to Attracting Clients.  It contains everything in this article in much greater detail  and LOTS MORE great ideas!  Buy this book