1. Hang out your shingle. If your business is retail with a brick & mortar store, literally put a sign out. A neon sign or some other lighted sign signals to foot and car traffic that your business exists, is open and receiving customers. For an online business, hanging out your shingle means making sure the business has a website and that it ranks high in an online search on Google, Yahoo! or MSN.

2. Advertise. Consider putting a classified ad or a larger display ad in local daily or weekly newspapers. If your budget is too small for that, consider creating a company flyer that can be distributed by hand, left on doorknobs or on car windshields. Writing a press release periodically and submitting it to local newspapers is also a means of generating new customers. Online be sure to be listed in the many portal websites that index businesses. The goal is to create awareness that will lead to trial by new customers.

3. Have business cards printed and keep an ample supply in your wallet, briefcase or car. Business card printers usually print in quantities of 500 or 1000. You'll want to hand everyone you meet a business card. You never know who that individual knows or in whose hands your business card will end up.

4. Get out of the office and mingle. Join local the local Chamber of Commerce and any local trade organizations. If there is no organization, start one. Socialize with other business owners as a way to get referrals. Become part of the community where your business is located. Sponsor the Little League or Girl Scouts events. Consider creating your own company event that gets the spotlight focused on your business.

5. Know that positive word of mouth will go far in helping you get and keep customers. Provide your customers with products or services at a far price and exceed their expectations on quality

Omnitech Wrote:
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> 3. Have business cards printed using HP 75xl from InkJetSuperStore.com and keep an ample
> supply in your wallet, briefcase or car. Business
> card printers usually print in quantities of 500
> or 1000. You'll want to hand everyone you meet a
> business card. You never know who that individual
> knows or in whose hands your business card will
> end up.


I do agree with your third point. People nowadays don't give much thought about investing to business cards to market their business but printing business cards is really a big help. That's one of the reason why I acquired one HP printer for it.