by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: July 13, 2007   Last Updated: October 28, 2010

Getting the necessary publicity for a new business will depend on how much you work at it. You start letting everyone know what will be forthcoming in their neighborhood weeks ahead of the opening date. You will not allow potential customers to know that your new "Used but Barely" dress shop will make a difference in the area.

You tell everyone and you create little notices and put signs up alerting them to what is coming soon in that location. You call the paper and ask for free space to talk about your new business. If rebuffed you agree, since you are a writer, also, to do a free bit of editing for them in exchange for a little publicity. In small town this will probably work better than in larger cities.

You visit all the other businesses and get to know them and ask for their help in getting you established. Be ready to give away free merchandise and lower priced merchandise on opening day. On this day offer free coffee, have a cake, make it a regular celebration.

Don't give up. If you believe in what you are doing, and you put effort toward making it a viable, much needed business, it will, in time pay you dividends. Then when successful, share your expertise. Hire helpers when money is available, but make sure they care as much about their work place as you do. And make sure their dress shows your own good sense in choosing the type of clothes you plan on selling.

Determination is part of the battle of getting your new business up and running. You cannot sell if no one knows of the great clothes at bargain prices you are offering. You tell your friends and ask them to tell their friends and you call the paper and explain that you have a new clothing experience for shoppers coming soon and you would like some space to tell the readers all about it. The editor of the business page and the fashion editor will probably be glad to hear of your new place of business. They may offer to interview you or to be on hand when you first open.

Or you can offer to place a small article about your business and your reasons for believing that you have exactly what the =public is asking for. All they can say is no but depending on your approach they will probably invite you to send in s paragraph or two. After all they must sell papers too. But don't stop there; this will be a month or two before opening. Send in reminders about a week before the opening date.

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