Best and worst ways to advertise...

[blake]

This is to all those seasoned vets out there who have lived through the best and worst of times. Please enlighten us noobs on the best and worst ways to advertise our businesses so that we can (a) enjoy the fruits of your labor without forking over our own money and (b) grow our businesses while avoiding major pitfalls along the way... (he says while smiling sheepishly). Seriously though, if any of you guys could shed some light on proven ways to advertise and also ways to avoid fruitless advertising it would be most appreciated. I understand that it takes trial and error in this process but I was hoping that in the kindness of your hearts you could share with us the most successful ways of getting your name out there and getting new business. Also, how exactly do you smile sheepishly? Thanx.

[Scooperdude]

I'll take a stab at this one.
Some thing will work, problem is you never know what till you try it.
Every market is different. What works here may or may not work where you are. Direct mail works for some, I spent a ton of $ and got no response I mean zero.
Flyers work for some, TV, Radio work for some.
There are no perfect methods to advertise if there were we'd all have a million clients.
Test everything and use your results as your guide.
Good luck

[Pete]

TV is the way to go.  Budget 2.5 to 3 million for your first year.


"If I had that guy's ad budget, I wouldn't need a business!" - Hulse

[Scoop da Poo]

I'll take a stab at this one.
Some thing will work, problem is you never know what till you try it.
Every market is different. What works here may or may not work where you are. Direct mail works for some, I spent a ton of $ and got no response I mean zero.
Flyers work for some, TV, Radio work for some.
There are no perfect methods to advertise if there were we'd all have a million clients.
Test everything and use your results as your guide.
Good luck

Grady said it best.  Pete's was funny and true, but your best thing is to try out everything.

[blake]

I understand that it is mostly trial and error but what, in your own personal experience is the best and worst ways to advertise?? Cut us noobs a little slack here. We, like you in the beginning, are way short on lira and are hoping for a little insight on the business. I honestly do not have hundreds of dollars to experiment on the more productive ways of obtaining new business...that is why I am turning to you guys...the veterans of the poop mines to shed a little light on the subject. If it is a tried and true secret the I can understand that...(just email me  ). Just kidding of course but any help...ANY help would be VERY appreciated by us all.

[doodiedaily]

The newspaper worked best for me in the beginning, but it wasn't cheap.

[thepoohcrew]

Spend some $$$ and get youself some business cards, proceed to hand out and talk to any and every person who gets within three feet of you.

[Scooperdude]

Business cards, small ads, interent presents. Are probably the cheapest( best ) ways to start out.
Again there is no fool proof works everytime method

[BDS]

What is a home run in one market will be a dude in another. The same goes within your service area. The only way to find out what works is to try what you can afford and remember, it takes at least 5 viewing before your message gets through. Run a classified in a shopper or give away or homr owners association new letter. Give it some time, it takes a while.

[Scoop da Poo]

I understand that it is mostly trial and error but what, in your own personal experience is the best and worst ways to advertise?? Cut us noobs a little slack here. We, like you in the beginning, are way short on lira and are hoping for a little insight on the business. I honestly do not have hundreds of dollars to experiment on the more productive ways of obtaining new business...that is why I am turning to you guys...the veterans of the poop mines to shed a little light on the subject. If it is a tried and true secret the I can understand that...(just email me  ). Just kidding of course but any help...ANY help would be VERY appreciated by us all.

I would like to be able to say what works for me, but I would be feeding my competition the info if I post it here. 

I hope you understand why I cannot do that. 

[Doggie]

I say do radio ads, that way when they forget the name, they will search and find me 

[mr.bks]

You'll get a lot of good tips going through the forums and archives.  I'm just in the beginning stages of my business and those old (and not so old) posts have been invaluable in more ways than just marketing.

I would HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy of Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson.  I recently read it and it is loaded with great information.  I got the 2007 edition for $8 at Half Price Books(watch out for older editions, they may not have stuff about the internet, technology, etc.) It has been one of the best investments I have made----at least for ideas.  It will get you thinking about your business from different angles to see what might work for you.  Good luck,

mrbks

[blake]

Thanks for all the great info guys (and gals)! Good idea about the book...will definately pick that up. I understand what you mean about what works for some may not work for others so I guess when I do start I will run the gambit of all possible advertising avenues. Again, many thanks.

[mr.bks]

Thanks for all the great info guys (and gals)! Good idea about the book...will definately pick that up. I understand what you mean about what works for some may not work for others so I guess when I do start I will run the gambit of all possible advertising avenues. Again, many thanks.

Good luck.  You'll enjoy that book and it will get you excited about all the ways there are to advertise, many of them very cheap.

mrbks

[bigkahuna]

A website is a must b4 anything else I feel Its totally free in most cases and just put it out there in cyber world