How best to market a small firm to the local community where i live?

Question

how best to market a small firm to the local community where i live because i want increased sales and attention

Answer 1

Good, Go Ahead.

Answer 2

Here are some ideas:

- Put coupons in local newspapers, coupon packets, or penny saver magazines

- Advertise on local cable TV (rates might be reasonable)

- Create a website (basic websites are inexpensive)

- Offer current customers a referral payment when they refer someone to you that results in a sale

- Ask current customers if you can use them as a reference.  Potential customers could then contact some of your prior customers about the quality of your service or product

Answer 3

You can try renting out a billboard spot close by. Also, you could go to shops with the "Community Boards" and pin-up a few business cards to it. Places such as grocery stores usually have them. You could try mass mailing companies, although they only have a 1-2% success rate. Also, make sure your listed in various yellow pages. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Don't be passive and just hope that people will come to you. Market on foot. Outside of the hours when you absolutely must be at the business, get out and start knocking on doors -- residential or commercial, depending on what your business is.

Introduce yourself and your company, explain what you do, and probe to see how and when you can help them. Leave them with your marketing materials. Call them back in a month, etc. Send holiday greetings to your best customers and most coveted potential customers.

In a very small business, you're your own sales rep. This is what they do all day, and by doing it yourself you've just saved their salary and commission.