For a small business, marketing can be a scary subject due to the perceived cost and time consumption.

First, you need to ask yourself a few questions: What goods/services does my company offer?, Who is my target market?, and What is my budget?

For example, say you have your own flooring business. You sell and install wood flooring to primarily residential homes. You have very little funds available for marketing your company, but need to reach your target market. Your potential customers include: homeowners, architects, interior designers, and general contractors.

You should make sure you have plenty of business cards to hand out and leave anywhere you work, eat, or shop. Also, remember that your work, speaks for itself, so make quality your ultimate goal when installing. Bring food or coffee by your customer's office when dropping off samples or piking up a check. Make sure your business is properly listed in the yellow-pages. Develop a website (one that is cost efficient and easy to maintain) to show off your company's finished products, give links to floor covering resources, and your company's contact information. Speak with your vendors about working in conjunction with them on projects. Make sure your employees are certified installers (as most vendors require certification). Advertise in the local newspapers, for the most advertising for your buck.

Have fun, keep your marketing plan simple, stick to your marketing budget, be creative, and know your target market and you will have no problems making your company known. As your company grows your marketing strategies will change. At that point, radio advertising or television commercials may be your key to grasping a bigger client pool!

Learn more about this author, Brandi Hammond.
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