Top Ten Frugal Ways To Market Your Small Business



Most, if not all, small businesses are built on a budget. Available funds must be used to buy technology, additional phone lines and marketing materials such as business cards. In this article you will find ten low cost or no cost tips that will help you get your first customer and build your business.

1) Obtain free or low cost business cards at a company such as VistaPrint. Add an explanatory tag line to identify your product or service. While you are running your normal errands drop off a business card at every business you see such as drycleaners, restaurants, gyms, etc.

2) Have a new or rebuilt shopping center opening in your town' Attend the grand opening and chat with the business owners and staff and hand out your free or low cost business cards.

3) Create flyers with your phone number on tear off tabs and place them at the library, grocery store, coffee shops, etc. Carry a few in your car with push pins so you never miss an opportunity.

4) Hold a contest. People love freebies. When you're handing out business cards and designing flyers highlight your contest for a limited time. Anyone who books at least two hours of your time during the contest month is entered into a drawing for a gift basket. Put together an inexpensive gift basket with sample size coffee, a coffee cup, a business book or best selling novel, cookies and crackers. Put the names of the qualifying clients in a hat and have your child draw the winning name. Take a picture of the gift basket and your child drawing the name out of the hat, scan the pictures and put them on your website along with the name of the winner.

5) Write an article that would appeal to your target audience such as small business owners, add a four to five line biography with your e-mail address and web site address. Submit the article to websites and e-zines that cater to your target audience.

6) Create an informative presentation around your topic area and contact your local Chamber of Commerce and offer to speak at a monthly meeting.

7) Create coupons offering a free or discounted product or a free hour of service for every two or three hours of paid service. Give them out to prospective clients and to organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to use in contests and give aways. Give the recipient an incentive to by your product or use your services by giving the coupon an expiration date.

8) Use the time you spend sitting in traffic to gain new clients. For less than thirty dollars you can purchase a sign for your car from iprint or webdecal.

9) Create a press release announcing the opening of your business or some other milestone event. Send the press release to editors at your local newspaper and to other free area publications.

10) Ask for referrals. Give your business card to your family members, neighbors, hair salon, etc. and ask that they pass them on. Offer an hour of free service or a free product to anyone who refers a client who signs a contract for services and give them a link on your web site.

(c) 2001, Davis Virtual Assistance

Insurance, Financial Services Sales Tactics



If you sell insurance, financial services and the like, consider the following low-cost marketing strategies to help grow your small business.

It's important to first acknowledge some of the natural barriers to acquiring new clients within the insurance and financial services industries. These include, but are not limited to, customers lacking knowledge about your products and, therefore, lacking the ability to ask questions, and customers afraid of being ripped off. Unfortunately, insurance and financial salespeople often carry the same stigma as used car salespeople. And I'm certain there are some great and honest used car dealers around. It's important to recognize this stigma so you can proactively address it in your marketing plan. Ultimately, to grow your business within the insurance and financial services industries you must strive to build an incredible reputation, built on a platform of reliability, honesty and product knowledge. I also encourage you to be very straightforward about your pricing and how you make your money. The fact is, your customer wants to know. Surprise them, and tell them upfront.

Here are some marketing strategies I suggest you try.

-- First, try teaming up with complementary professionals, such as estate attorneys, business attorneys, financial planners, etc. You'll receive referral business faster from such businesses for two reasons. One, their customers are currently utilizing services for "future" occurrences. Hence, your prospect is already in the mindset of planning and spending for the future. You now become another product they need to consider for the future. Second, there's an implied trust between an estate attorney and her customers. If an estate attorney referred her customers to you, that customer would be more likely to do business with you, than if he/she had simply seen your print ad in a local newspaper.

-- Launch a publicity campaign
For example, consider submitting a story idea to your local media about, "The Fallacies of Long-term Care Insurance. Who Needs It' What is it' Insider Secrets to Buying the Most Comprehensive Plan." I can't stress this next point enough; you must be objective when interviewing for such a story. When being interviewed by the media, it's not a chance to "sell" yourself; rather, it's an opportunity to express your knowledge and expertise, and help readers use your knowledge to their benefit. If they like what you have to say, they'll contact you.

-- Consider facilitating a bimonthly workshop(s) at your local library or community center called, "The Insider's Point of View to Long-term Care Insurance. Who Needs It, Who Doesn't'" Or, "Age & Long-term Care Insurance, When's The Right Time'" The workshop-tactic is becoming slightly overused. However, I think it's still a very powerful marketing tool. Plus, it's affordable. You simply need to be more imaginative with your topics and headlines.

-- Try creating a "Long-term Care Insurance Top 10," fact sheet. It should include detailed content about the ins and outs of selecting long-term care insurance, i.e., why, why not' Who qualifies and what are the estimated costs' Distribute your fact sheet to prospects, the press and various public bulletins, such as the library, town hall, Post Office, colleges, doctor and attorney offices, etc. When you're selecting bulletin boards, stick to professional looking boards, rather than just catch-alls. The latter will reduce your professionalism. Some bulletin boards give off the impression, "What would she know; she's advertising on a bulletin board." On the fact sheet, you're not selling yourself; instead, you're selling the benefits/solutions of long-term care insurance with your bio at the bottom. If you've done a comprehensive and professional job, readers will contact you.

-- Partner with a local bank. The idea is to get yourself noted as a "pre-certified insurance expert for XYZ bank." Approach the bank VP and recommend an informal partnership whereby you're available for complimentary onsite consultation for bank customers. Moreover, there's a tremendous amount of implied reliability and credibility when associating your business with a bank. The great thing about banks is that they usually distribute large monthly customer mailings. Ideally you'll want to piggyback on the bank's mailing by having your sales flyer included. These flyers are usually called, "bill stuffers." Don't forget banks also distribute calendars, year-end statements, etc. Try to get noted in all of their communications. Of course, under the umbrella that you're a partner with the bank.

-- A bank north of Boston lets their small business customers display sales materials for a week in their lobby. Approach your bank where you have your business account and ask for the same.

-- Try partnering with hospitals. They're well known for sponsoring workshops. They also distribute a weekly/monthly newsletter. My local hospital actually distributes their calendar of events in my local newspaper. By partnering with hospitals and similar organizations, your prospect-reach compounds tremendously, while you spend zero!

-- Consider joining your local chapter of Business Network International, bni. Of course, like any organization, it's only as effective as your networking abilities and how well the members of that particular chapter work together. Always attend at least two meetings before joining. And watch out! Associations' memberships are down across the board due to the sluggish economy. There's definitely some hard selling going on. Take your time when deciding what organization is best for you. Don't be misled into joining anything.

-- Align yourself with a reputable online insurance media outlet. Ideally you want to become a regularly featured columnist, or perhaps act as a moderator for an upcoming online seminar, etc. This does several things for you. One, usually anything Internet-related is archived. So if a person is shopping around for insurance or financial products and you've partnered with a reputable and high search engine ranking online media outlet, there's a good chance your Web site will reflect high in search engine rankings. Two, if you're a regularly featured columnist, you immediately acquire more credibility than your competitors. Readers are more likely to reach out to you for product solutions.

-- Don't forget about organizations you already belong to. Are you taking advantage of their Web site resources, i.e., linking your Web site, being included in their membership directory, etc.' What's more, do a quick search on google for free directories. Try, [“your expertise” insurance directories], or [financial sales representatives directories.]

-- The key marketing strategy to keep in mind for any salesperson is that you must circulate, "be seen." It's the most perpetuating sales lead program you can foster.

-- Finally, as you're working hard to generate all these new leads, make sure you have a follow-up plan in place. The fastest and most affordable follow-up method is to ask prospects if they want to receive your free monthly ezine.

Article Tags: Insurance, Financial Services, Long-term Care Insurance, Insurance, Financial, Financial Services, Long-term Care, Care Insurance

Car Stickers Come In Different Designs

Another most riveting printing product, car sticker, is widely used for product marketing and business identity development throughout the world. They are elegant and graceful printing products beyond your imagination. The designs of car sticker are typically created by exceptionally talented and skilled graphic designers of thoroughly professional and dedicated online printing companies. Talking about custom sticker prints are uniquely printed via Full color CMYK /PMS (Pantone Matching System) Printing Process. Company is bound to provide you full color sticker printing globally.

One thing is sure that car stickers provide plenteous advantages to both small businesses and large businesses on the spot involving increased prompt marketing, business identity development, improved business performance and efficacy, and increased return on investment. That is why they are extremely helpful and useful for many organizations involving banks, media hypes, fashion industry, nonprofit organization and so on. Company offers custom car stickers printing to its valued customers worldwide in a thoroughly professional manner.

More importantly, car stickers come in different designs to really fulfill your corporate needs and desires efficiently. First they come in such a way from where you could easily enhance your business identity. Secondly vehicle window decals help you catch the attention of the targeted customers on the spot. Importantly their designs give you plenteous cultural meanings and expressions such as love, peace, social harmony & integrity, worship, veneration, agitation and demonstration. Online sticker printing company offers custom size car sticker printing to its valued customers all around the globe.

On the other hand, the beautiful car sticker printing designs and prints help you promote your fundraising campaigns worldwide in a thoroughly professional manner. Next they would lend you a hand when it comes to product marketing. Another important use of these stunning looking car window stickers printing designs is that they would help you promote your music and fashion campaigns worldwide professionally. Company presents eye catching car sticker printing designs to its trendy customers internationally.

Then car window decals can be professionally used to promote your sports activities worldwide. Next they can be broadly used to boost up your fashion campaigns globally. When it comes to customization, you don’t have to be worried about it by any means. Company offers plenteous packages to its valued customers involving free unlimited design revisions, and free lamination, as well as free shipment. Further it offers many other printing products and services to its respected customers worldwide including folder printing, banner printing, car bumper sticker, poster printing, carbonless form printing, cd jacket printing, label printing and many more.

Last but not least, car stickers are extensively used for comical purposes. This way company offers cheap funny car stickers printing to its loving buyers all over the world. Also one doesn’t have to be worried about price tag at all. Moreover, it makes available full color brochure printing to its valued customers with cheap flyer printing including custom packages boxes printing.  So if you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us! We will provide you the best car sticker printing worldwide in a thoroughly professional and dedicated manner.

Article Tags: Stickers Come, Different Designs, Business Identity, Thoroughly Professional, Full Color, Sticker Printing, Company Offers, Stickers Printing, Valued Customers, Printing Designs

Or what about for the skin all over your body

Or what about for the skin all over your body Or what about for the skin all over your body, taking a tip from Teri Hatcher who pours her left over red wine into her bath! The grapes contain resveratrol which is an antibiotic type substance that protects the vines from fungus. This will cool the skin and stimulate the blood flow.Eating enough fibre will also helps to keep your system healthy and this will keep your skin healthier. Sugar will take its toll and make the skin sag and wrinkled over time. However if you just think of it as allowing your skin to breathe it will make more sense to you. Combine some of these ideas and enjoy the results as you will feel more beautiful. What miracle does she use on her skin to make it look so wonderful Catherine uses a natural foundation which is made only from pure, crushed minerals from the earth and also has SP15. For her wonderful mane of hair she keeps it shiny by brushing in some castor oil. But no matter what the stars secrets are your daily routine should include the natural way to care for your skin which is to drink enough water. Good sources of essential fats are Salmon, flaxseed oil or walnut oil combined with vinegar as a dressing for your salad and possibly fish oil supplements.Stress is a naughty fellow who plays havoc with our skin and sometimes our health.Did you know that Catherine Zeta-Jones brushes her teeth with mashed-up strawberries which she mixes with baking soda Strawberries contain malic acid which is a mild astringent. Proper digestion keeps toxins from accumulating, keeping the skin younger looking.Complications can vary based on the physician's expertise and track record, so make sure you investigate the plastic surgeon and ask plenty of questions during the consultation period.Many women enjoy motherhood and the joy it brings after a baby is born.Other moms find that their breasts sag after the baby is born either because the skin has been overstretched during pregnancy or due to breast feeding.If the procedure is performed correctly, many mothers gain new self esteem and confidence in their body that they may not have had before the procedure.. Many women will also loose volume during pregnancy. If you're considering a "mommy makeover" make sure you research all the procedures and choose a qualified doctor to ensure that your makeover is successful. The abdominal skin loses elasticity, resulting in a sagging belly after pregnancy. Many of these procedures cost between $5,000 and $30,000, which can cause financial hardship for some families, especially since many insurance companies will not cover these procedures. A mommy makeover can reduce the impact of your pregnancy on your appearance and help trim your body down to give you back the confidence to fit back into your old clothes and life. Make sure you undergo the procedure for the right reasons and understand all the risks and side effects of the procedures. Often the abdominal skin that has been stretched during pregnancy will not return to its original condition once the baby is born.The more procedures that are completed, the more risky the experience can be.Protect Chalk Art - A great chalk art creation deserves to be seen for as long as possible.Well, it turns out that there's a lot more you can do with a can of V05 hair spray than just keep your locks holding nicely.Remove Ink Stains from Clothes - There's nothing more annoying than to get ink on your clothes.Protect Decorative Copper and Brass - Polish your decorative copper and brass pieces first, then spray on a protective coating of V05 hair spray. You can straighten them out again with V05 hair spray.Thread That Needle - You can make the end of a piece of thread nice and stiff by spraying a little V05 hair spray on the end. V05 hair spray is very useful around the house in many ways. Let it dry and use your homemade wrapping paper for a humorous gift presentation. It has the distinction of being the world's first crystal clear hairspray.Create Glossy Newspaper Wrapping Paper - Apply V05 hair spray to the comic section of the Sunday paper.Laminate Your Recipe Cards - Okay, this is a kooky one, but apparently it works, so spray V05 hair spray onto those recipe cards and let dry.Preserve Floral Arrangements - While it may not help preserve most flowers, you can spray it on broom grass, cattails and baby's breath to preserve their beauty a while longer. This also works for ink stains on your skin and on vinyl.Remove Pet Hair from Furniture - You love your pet, but that shedded hair is all over the place. Put clothing item in the wash. Here's a little trivia tidbit for you. You'll have a nice glossy finish that will prevent your cards from getting tattered.. This won't kill them, but it will make them unable to buzz around your head.Stiffen Up Those Ruffled Curtains - Sometimes curtains get ruffled from manhandling. Use the tissue to pick up stray hairs off of the furniture. In particular, I love the blue nuit. Very sophisticated, I just want to own this bag. Anyway, this is really a incredible and memorable bag. Carried by hand or at the elbow, it shows a magnificent feeling. Such elegant but functional bag from Louis Vuitton, I think, would be loved by nearly every fair ladies. You articles would be packed beautifully ude to its neat interior for you.8" x 4.bestbagoutlet.In front of such a polished handbag in deep and saturated color, how can you neglect it Welcome to Perfect for stylish women about town, it is sophisticated and versatile. When seeing the glossy leather, you must want to touch it. The diminutive shape fits young fashion girls and mature ladies. Once hearing the size of 14. Do you think the sturdy press lock is very shining and fabulous on this blue nuit bagThe contrast between the golden hardware and the blue nuit leather in fact upgrade the magnificence of this elegant Louis Vuitton eluxury.This splendid Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Melrose Avenue in embossed calf leather is a piece of art without a question.1" x 9. Its fabulous design makes it ideal for all seasons and all occasions, a website that can shake you up.. I can not but fall in love with such graceful and lubricious color of this Louis Vuitton bag. This Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Melrose Avenue in elegant blue nuit is another piece that has stolen my attention.I can't tell how much I love Monogram Vernis from Louis Vuitton handbags.3", you know it can offer you enough space for you daily essential such as makeup, key and other small pieces. It is the most gorgeous bag that I have seen among designer handbags.

Traffic generation techniques for affiliate marketers

There are heaps of ways of learning affiliate marketing traffic generation concepts, but I have really had the feeling lately that many who are new to internet marketing are not completely understanding getting traffic at all. 
I bring this to your attention I keep running into marketing business owners on internet forums that just do not get the fact there is no "magic traffic bullet" when it comes to internet marketing. I really hope in writing this page that it will help you to get a better understanding as a whole about how generating traffic for internet marketing products works and the reasons why you do not need to invest your hard earned money on a marketing course that teaches you how to generate traffic from a specific source.
The ability to get traffic is what distinguishes the best of the affiliate marketingspace from the failures. It is not easy and for many near impossible to  understand however there are a ton marketers that conquer internet users and as a result make a ton of money online. So is driving traffic for your online marketing products difficult'
Well yes and no,
It does take hard work but there are users all over the place when it comes to internet marketing so it really is not that tricky to attract if you are able to develop the abilities and a understanding of potential traffic sources. I can remember a past client of mines website I worked with doing Search Engine Optimization. I glanced at their traffic sources and the reason for their success was the search engines yes but it was also some select referring sites who agreed to feature information from my client. These websites were attracting almost a quarter of its money online. In contrast I have lately been teaching a student of mine in a similar market. My students site has been around for almost as long, the software is about as good but they are not even getting 1% the web users my other client was.
My point is that the visitors the leading online marketers are generating is nothing that special and no expensive product is going to aid you when it comes to getting traffic because it's a skill built with hands on experience in a marketplace and the ability to recognize potential opportunities in a marketplace. I for many years thought that getting traffic was one of most tightly guarded secrets over the internet and because of this I invested in product after product in an attempt to get a feel for everything I could. I spent tons on these programs only to discover by the end that yeah I now knew the main sources but it was not until I began to take hands on action and get visitors myself that I started to get a good feel for where I had to dedicate my time and effort to get visitors.
I really hope that this page has an impact on your knowledge of getting traffic as what you need to learn is more the necessary skills to spot a opportunity instead of learning everything about the major traffic sources. If you take hands on action then getting traffic will become second nature but if you continue to sit on your backside and wait for the "traffic bullet" before you actually try anything then you will Just continue to feel overloaded by the large amount of information online and you will never really get a grasp for the way traffic works.

Article Tags: Traffic Generation, Internet Marketing, Getting Traffic, Traffic Sources

Promotional Items for the IT Industry



With that principle in mind, here is a selection of the great variety of tech-themed promotional items that can be branded with your company name and logo to provide some useful items that will do a little bit of extra advertising for your company, too. Many of these gifts are ideal for a wide variety of businesses, so don’t overlook these if you’re not in a directly related industry.

Mouse Mats

Mouse mats are very effective promotional items—they’re large items with a great-sized print area, and your design choices are virtually unlimited. You can even choose mouse mats in specific shapes, or have your own choice of shape custom-designed to your specifications.

Computer Mice

The mice themselves are a little more limited in terms of the different varieties available but there is still a good amount of choices to make your selection from. Wired, cordless and optical varieties are available, as well as a unique mouse that contains an interior pocket filled with an eye-catching liquid gel. Each is supplied with both PS2 and USB connectors, so you’ll have no need to worry about any compatibility issues with these items.

Mobile Phone Accessories

Mobile phone holders and cradles and other small accessories are a great choice of promotional item. These are inexpensive items that will create a big impact—so many people have mobile phones these days that these promotional items are sure to be appreciated. Other options include battery chargers and hands-free mobile phone kits.

CD Holders

These are a useful and popular gift that is available in a wide range of prices and styles. Choose from inexpensive wallet-style holders to pricier items that offer an increased level of protection.

USB Drives and Drive Holders

USB Flash drives are an increasingly popular promotional item as prices for this relatively new technology drop. Particularly useful are those that can be attached to a key ring, making them easy and convenient to transport, with little risk of losing or forgetting the item.

Digital Cameras and Personal MP3 Players

These are both ideal leisure gifts that people will enjoy receiving and using. Digital cameras in particular have been through significant price drops over the last few years; some varieties are available for between ¤2.00 and ¤3.00, making them a very affordable promotional item.

Personal Organizers

At the upper end of the price scale, electronic personal organizers are sure to be used and appreciated by a wide range of people. Starting at just under ¤11.00 per item, these include a huge variety of functions, including a world time clock, telephone and address book, alarm, calculator and currency converter, metric conversion function, as well as a game mode. The item comes with a convenient storage pouch, too.

Laptop Bags

Laptop bags are a great choice for general use as well as industry events such as conferences, where they can make an ideal substitute for more conventional conference bags. There’s a great variety available, with plenty of options for extra storage, as well as a range of carry options such as brief case-style bags and rucksacks.

Article Tags: Promotional Items

How Much Are You Worth Consulting Fees



How much is your time and expertise worth' Its the age old challenge for consultants: how much do I bill my clients' Sadly, there is no set in stone answer, however, here are some tips that will help you establish your rates.

First, lets look at your client's needs. Why are they hiring an outside consultant, when they have employees' There are several reasons why your client is interested in hiring you as a consultant:

a) third party opinion - employees know where their bread is buttered, so they are less inclined to go against the current direction of the company. As an outsider, there is no concern with offering a different opinion. Your independent opinion can provide a much needed, focused perspective your client's company needs.

b) you are cheaper - this is what is normally the hardest for new consultants to understand. How can you command $75/hr when your client has reps working for $20/hr. It normally ends up with the consultant charging a lower rates. No more!

The employee:
$20.00 Hourly rate
$ 7.00 Fringe Benefits @ 35%
$10.00 Overhead rate at 50% (computers, office space etc)
$37.00 Total effective pay rate

Hours per year: 2080... Annual salary $76960

The contractor:
$75.00 Hourly rate

Hours per year: 480 (12 weeks, 3 months worth of work).... Cost of completing the project: $36000

Your client gets the project completed quicker, and you end up saving them over 50%.

c) expertise in a specific area - you clearly can bring something that no other person on their team can. That's why they called you. As the expert in your chosen field, you can meet your clients needs with quickness and efficiency.

d) motivated to get job done on time, and likely, on budget - your work becomes your reputation. If you take too long, or go over budget, you wont see any future business from your client. However, provide the customer with what they need, under promise and over deliver, and not only will you retain your client for future business, you will get referrals. That's motivation that no employee has.

Now that you know what is motivating your client, you have the groundwork to start to establish your rates. As show in the second reason for hiring a consultant, while your hourly rate may appear to be more than their employees, it actually works out to be less expensive. Any fears or unease that you have in commanding a hire rate than their employees should now be eased. However, how much more can you charge'

Who is your competition'
Establish what their rates are, and then confirm what can they offer. Can you honestly provide more services, better customer service and come under budget or on time' If your competitors can provide more than you, you'll find that you may only be able to compete with a lower rate. However, if you can offer more, and have the proven results to back up that claim, you can justify a higher rate.

One key factor to remember is that if you charge a lower rate than your customer, you open yourself up to clients who will demand more of your time (it doesn't cost them as much as your competition). This may lead to finishing projects past due and scheduling conflicts with other clients. So while you may be able to charge an extra $40 per hour for example, you may end up losing clients, and worse, having client demands cut into your personal time.

If you bill a higher rate, you may surprisingly find that you get better clients, and more referrals. If you can justify a higher rate, your clients will be very specific with you in terms of what their needs are (saving you time). Clients who are willing to pay a higher rate, will referral other clients who are willing to pay a higher rate.

Your rate will impact the amount of business you receive. One term successful consultants learn very early is to understand the concept of value billing. Instead of billing by the hour (which many of your clients will be leery of), consider billing by the project.

By negotiating an amount the client will pay based on the project, you can establish milestones at which payments will be made, and provide added motivation to get the job done and the client signed off quicker. If the project is going to take you 10 hours, consider negotiating an amount for 1.5 to 2x your normal hourly rate. If you get the job done in 5 hours, you get paid the full amount, not for 5 hours. The client is happy because they know what the cost ceiling is, and most importantly, the project is delivered early.

Another benefit of value billing is that you can set up milestones whereby you can get paid. If you advise your client that the project will be completed in say, 6 weeks, and comprise of 3 phases, you can receive payment from them when each phase is complete. Finish early, you get paid early and your client is happy. Finish behind schedule and your client isnt paying for work that isn't complete yet.

This method helps to improve your cash flow. This is key for any self employed consultant.

So, how much are you worth now'