My main problem is i need money to advertise my business. I need to advertise in order to get money coming in which i need to advertise in the first place. Get the problem?

I also have very little finance to use for starting in the first place, and im trying to avoid loans as much as possible to reduce risk. Any one got any suggestions to help me advertise on a shoe string budget?????

Who are the potential customers and how can they be reached? Advertising for a gutter cleaning business which is very local would be completely different than advertising for a seller of web hosting services, whose customers could be anywhere in the world.

Ok, lets say its a service, aimed at small businesses. The primary market area would be in or around London....but i wouldnt limit advertising outside of London as the service can be performed via email and phone, it just loses that personal touch

Dear Nickesh,

Mm, I see you point. That's a tough obstacle when you're starting out. The good news is, there ARE things you can do for very little money.

I won't get in too much depth here (I can't give away all my secrets), but I will give you two pieces of advice.

1. Become a "guru" in your field. It doesn't matter whether or not you're selling guttering or web hosting services, today's consumer seeks to self-educate themselves before making a buying decision, and that means they're looking for free information contributed by an expert. Try starting a blog on your business's website. Comment on the current state of the market in your industry, the best ways to save money, the most efficient ways to choose a service provider in fields related to your industry...there are a lot of things you could write about, depending on the business type.

2. Approach local publications and offer to be interviewed as an expert on whatever subject matter you're involved in. For example, a person who builds storm shelters has a high probability of being published if he/she calls local newspapers after an ice storm or a tornado and offers to comment on the situation or do an advice piece for their publication.

If you'd like more tips on this subject or want to discuss other marketing options, please send me a private message.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Cox
Marketing Consultant

Tootoo, please refrain from using the site to build keywords and links for your business. This forum is meant to be an information resource. Keyword spamming reflects negatively on all of us and only hurts your business in the long run.

Thank you.

First...
If you work and have a job, put all of the money you earn(after expenses) into your ad campaign.
Secondly.
Dress proffessional, go to proffessional places and functions and meet other people that are in your area, Be cocky about your business, because "theres no better place than yours in town".
Hand out business cards to people that seam interested and not just at the first chance you get.
You have to sell your self with a kind of bravado.

But most of all, make sure you have an answer for everything.
And know everything about your field.
If people ask you about something that they need to be done and you dont quite do that, make sure you can do it for them any way.

You need to get on myspace and different site like that and create your own brand. Go to the forums and people will go to your profile, its free exposure.
I'm also involved with a company called Giblink that is on the cutting edge of social/business networking. Click my sig if you are interested.

Thanks for the tips guys, i'll certainly bare them in mind and try them out.
Good luck to you all!

If you don't have much of a budget, try word of mouth and tell people to spread the word. You'd be surprised at how effective this method is

I've got a million ideas that can get you rolling without spending a dime. But you're going to have to tell me what it is you're selling.

Anthony

__________________
Affordable Website and Blog hosting services: http://www.rebelnetworks.com