Marketing your business can be fun, exciting and creative. It can also be very frustrating and expensive if one doesn’t know what outcome they are looking for or how to evaluate cost effective methods of marketing. Below are seven proven strategies sure to increase visibility, leads, and sales.

1. Business Cards

Business cards are often one of the most underutilized tools in one’s marketing. Make sure you use the front and back of your business card to gain full benefit. Depending on your business you can put some valuable information on the back such as a sports schedule, emergency numbers, or  dates people want to remember.

Keep cards in your wallet, your automobile, on your desk, and at home. Be sure to carry them with you wherever you go and be willing to hand them out as an opportunity presents itself.

Creatively distribute your card. I send cards in packages I mail for the business. Hand them to clerks in stores who may know other people who could use your product or service.

2. Send a picture

Keep your name fresh in a customer’s mind is to send them a picture of when they purchased a product or service from you.

Anytime a customer makes a significant purchase, have a picture taken with the shop owner. You can post itto your social media pages.  The customer then can share it with their friends.

3. Associations

Join an association and learn to network market with your colleuges in the group.

A opportunity within many organizations is the chance to network. Additionally, to make presentations. Along with presentations come publications.  Often, when you do a presentation, you will get a mention in the association newsletter, their Ezine and on their website.

4. Committee Involvement

Give back to the associations you join by being on a committee.  It’s a great way to give back and builds visibility for your business. Joining a committee where you have little experience or knowledge will give you an opportunity to stretch yourself, And will allow you to meet and network with new people.

5. Contests and Drawings

Contests are a favorite to build your database of leads quickly. Every entry into the contest is a lead that has visited your business.  The key is to follow up on all the leads and to keep them coming into your business. Think outside the box and create a contest that is unsual. This will generate more free publicity for you.

6. Cross-promoting

Fins another company that has products or services that compliment yours and promote each other. Cross-promoting is only limited by your imagination. By joining with another business you will cut the costs of promoting and both companies will get lots of new business.

7. Bonuses

Along the same lines as cross-promoting, offer special offers from businesses related to yours. This allows both companies to be represented to the customer and lets the customer get something extra. This increases the value of their purchase and keeps them returning.

Hope you enjoy these great tips and return tomorrow for another of the Post-a-Day posts.