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There are several low-cost marketing techniques that can be used to bring your business to people's notice. Let's go through them one by one.

Networking

Networking is about the people that you know - and the people that they know. There is a theory called "6 degrees of separation" which proposes that no-one is more than 6 connections away from anyone else on earth. Looked at from that point of view - it really is a small world. From the point of view of your business, the first one or two connections are probably the most important. Talk to everyone you know - your friends, relatives, the people who run the local shops - tell them what you do - and ask them to pass your name on to their contacts. That way, you could be reaching hundreds or even thousands of people in a short space of time.

Recommendations

This is a continuation of networking, but with some track history to back it up. If you do a good job, then your satisfied customers will tell other people. Ask them to recommend you - give them some business cards or flyers to give away. (But remember that the reverse is also true. If you do a bad job, people will certainly tell others. So satisfying your customers is one of the strongest marketing tools in the box.)

Publicity

Make some simple flyers - they don't have to be professionally printed these days. With a standard office software package and a reasonable printer, you can run off flyers at home. Spread them around local shops, the library, the post office - but make sure you ask people that it is OK before doing so - otherwise they will just end up in the bin.

Website

Have a web presence - it's only the equivalent of an electronic business card. Who you are, what you do and how you can be contacted. Nowadays, the first place that many people go for resources is the Internet. Make sure you are represented. Look out for directory-type websites - often you can register on these for free - and it increases the number of places where your name will be mentionned.

Social Networking

Why stop at a simple website or directory registration - use some of the social networking sites out there to make a noise about your business. The best known ones, such as Facebook or Myspace, were originally the realm of teenagers, but these days many people of all ages have accounts. There are also others, such as Linkedin, which are more business oriented. Which one is best for you will depend on what business you are in.

Traditional Media

Even in this highly electronic age, there is still benefit to be gained from the traditional media. Contact local newspapers, radio or TV stations with news of your opening, a new product launch or a big contract you've just won. Have an open day - and invite the press. You never know - they might just come - and if it's a slow news week with space to fill, you might even end up with a major feature rather than just a paragraph.

In summary, use any and every opportunity to tell people about you, your businesses and your successes. Even if someone does not become a customer today, they may mention you to someone else - or remember you when the need arises in the future. Happy Marketing.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Ducie.
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