Today’s economy has forced many companies to make decisions on where to spend and where not to spend or where to cut. Our experience shows us that marketing and advertising are usually one of the first cuts that a small business will make. Even though we believe that there are great opportunities for those who are willing to go against the flow and keep their current marketing/advertising budgets alive, we also understand that businesses are still going to cut in this area. We would like to offer you some ways that you can market your business on the cheap. Some of these options do require time and effort on your part but they will help.

1. Write a press release. You can always find something that you can write about your business. Submit it to local newspapers, put it on your website, send it to news stations, put it out in as many media outlets as you can because you never know who will pick it up and publish it.
2. If you haven’t already make sure your business is listed in local online directories. Many will list you for free. If you list your business on Google Maps Listing, your business, when found through search, will automatically have a map and offer directions to your address. Make sure you are listed on the Yahoo Local listings as well.
3. Write articles that address your niche and submit them to online article directories. This will help drive traffic to your website. You can also submit them to locally centered newsletters. It is a win-win, they have material and you become known as an expert in your field.
4. Join a local networking group. There are many groups in Colorado Springs and just about every other city in the nation. This is a great way to meet and make new contacts and refer each other.
5. Joint venture with complimentary businesses. Create flyers or other promotional material and recommend each other to your customers. Your customers will trust your recommendation because they trust you.
6. If you have some time on your hands and you like to sit at a computer there are plenty of ways to help drive traffic to your website which in turn can generate leads or drive them to your physical address./li>
   • Join a forum and contribute your knowledge to people in your community. You can usually place a “signature” as part of your profile which can contain a link to your business website.
   • Social media sites are all the rage today and if you approach it correctly you can eventually mix in your marketing message to help people find your business. You can also encourage your employees and customers to join in the fun.
   • Create a blog and talk about your business, give helpful tips and techniques, and provide quality information for prospective customers.
   • See if you can find some local blogs that are related to your business and add comments (relevant and meaningful) and many times the owner of that blog will come to your site and do the same.
   • Create an account at one or more of the online photo sharing sites. Create your profile, write your descriptions and link to your website.
7. Direct mail is still a very viable solution for the small business.

OK, hopefully we have started your creative juices flowing. There is no reason that you can’t succeed, even in a slow economy. Stay the course and don’t give up.

Virtual Marketing, LLC is a Colorado based Internet Marketing company that is experienced in all areas of online marketing. You may contact us for a free internet marketing consultation at any time without obligation or pressure.