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Your business is a lot like a garden, it needs to grow in order to thrive. Good marketing can help your business grow. Knowing how and where to advertise is often a hit or miss process, especially for small to medium sized businesses, whose advertising budgets are often stretched very thin.

Fortunately, there are some very effective ways to maximize those advertising dollars by taking advantage of opportunities for free advertising. Free! And most important, these methods do pay off.

Here the top five ways to advertise for free:

1. The best mouthpiece for your business is your own mouth.

Don't keep quiet about your business. Now, don't take this the wrong way. Don't barge up to someone and say "Hey! I sell life insurance, ya want some?" But, when standing line at the movies, waiting for a train, out on the golf course, at a child's ball game, just start a conversation. Ask simple questions of those you come in contact with. Ask them what they do for a living.
Be interested in what they tell you. After they tell you about their business, tell them about yours. If there's anything you can help them with, make the offer.

2. It's your name...wear it out.

Wear a badge emblazoned with your business name or a snappy tag line. It will get people's attention when you're out and about, or just going about your business. You could even wear a badge that asks an open-ended question. For example, if your business is legal aid, you could wear something that asks "Got rights?"

3. If you want something, ASK.

If referrals are the lifeblood of your business, you need to ask for them. Give good service; be the type of business person that you yourself would want to do business with. If your clients or customers are ecstatic with the service they receive from you, they will surely know other people who would enjoy your service, too. Then, you can ask for the referral. Always give away more than one business card. Give at least two...one for the recipient to keep, and other to give to someone else.

4. Become the expert in your field.

Contact the local business journals, neighborhood newspapers, or other free periodicals in your town. These publications are usually looking for fresh content. Offer to write articles about your field of expertise. Make it interesting and informative with facts the reader can use. If your articles are published your credentials as the resident expert rise dramatically. You might even become a sought-after guest speaker for clubs and group meetings. Soon you'll be known as the "go-to" business for whatever it is you offer.

5. Introduce yourself.

Most cities and towns have Chambers of Commerce and various business networking groups. Many charge annual fees and/or monthly dues. You are usually free to attend at least one or two of these meetings as a guest. Be sure to bring enough business cards and any brochures or flyers you may have available. Here's another thought-if joining fees are too stiff for you, start your own group. Introduce yourself to other business owners and ask them if they'd like to be part of a free networking group. No dues, no fees, just free referrals.

Free is a very good price! So,think creatively when it comes to marketing...you'll get much more bang for your advertising buck.

Learn more about this author, Carol Pavelek.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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