Ways a Small Business Can Get Noticed

Getting noticed is often the top priority for a small business.  Every small business feels like it can offer something that its larger competitors cannot, otherwise, why would it exist?  However, getting customers to notice what a small business provides is a tall order.  Advertising is important, but not just any advertising will work.  It needs to be well thought out, and it needs to show potential customers not only that you are professional enough to compete with large companies, but that you can offer them something that they cannot get from that larger business.  There are countless ways to achieve this goal, but there are a few staples of small business advertising that can really get you noticed.

Business cards are probably the most basic means of advertising.  They also are one of the tools of entrepreneurs that are most often misused.  Some individuals have an image of an overly self-promoting individual when they think of business cards; however, business cards are an accepted form of business communication. 

Before designing your personal card, be sure to know the basic rules of quality design and etiquette.  Design is not overly difficult.  Minimize text, giving only the essential information such as name, business address, phone number, e-mail and website.  Other information can be added, such as a motto or tagline, but be careful that there is plenty of blank space on the card, or it will become cluttered and unattractive. 

The company logo should also be on the card.  In terms of color and attractiveness, the card should basically use two or three colors between the text and logo, and a simple border can be a nice accent to your card.  Adding more color and text can be risky, and could easily become overkill.  Etiquette is a much more difficult issue than design.  It takes skills at reading people, and discovering their interest.

When possible, avoid casually give out a business card, only give them to individuals who have either shown interest in your company, are in professional relationships with you, or have some other interest in what you are doing with your small business.  Including business cards in personal correspondence, such as holiday or get well soon cards can be disastrous for your image.  In order to reach new people, posting business cards in local restaurants and stores can be a great way to get your name out.  As long as you are careful with your design and etiquette, using business cards well can be a great way to establish your small company.

A second great way to get your small business good publicity is to use brochures.  Going for top quality brochures is essential if this is going to work.  Your simple inkjet printer will not get the job done.  Professional, four color printers can produce brilliant brochures, which will stand out amongst the competition.  A brochure can be very personal.  It is a way to choose the most important parts of your company, the ones that you, as owner, are most passionate about, and put them in color for potential customers. 

Choosing quality pictures and focusing on a unified color scheme will make your brochure rival those of larger corporate entities, and will draw people in.  The other key to making brochures useful is getting them out.  Like business cards, try posting them in local establishments.  It is also a good idea to keep a stack at your receptionist desk.  From there, be creative.  Give current customers a brochure to keep in their house so they have easy access to any company information, and can tell their friends about you.  Brochures are a great way to maximize word of mouth advertising.

Postcards, a third great way to help your small business gain visibility, take advertising beyond the word of mouth.  Create a special event, and design an attractive postcard around the event.  Then send the postcard to all of the addresses in your area, and try to draw customers in.  While many will simply be thrown away, others will be put on bulletin boards, and generate customers for you.  Postcards are inexpensive to make, and to mail as well. Postcards are also a great way to reach out to large groups of unknown to people.

Advertising for your small business cannot be discussed without looking into the potential of the internet.  A great website will do wonders for helping customers see what you have to offer, but getting them to go deep into your website is difficult.  Make sure that you have a clean, simple homepage that has enough information to draw users in, but do not go overboard.  Make sure the site is attractive and easy to navigate, or nobody will go anywhere. 

Also, keep your audience in mind.  If you are reach out to those without a high income, keep the design of the website simple, since they probably will not have the quality of computers to quickly load complex sites filled with animation and video.  However, if you are offering a high end product to a wealthier audience, be sure to fill the site with bells and whistles to make it attractive and exciting.

Getting noticed is a tall order for any small business, but not an impossible one.  With savvy advertising through business cards, brochures, postcards and web pages your company can find success with relative ease.  Just be sure to do everything on the same level of professionalism that your company provides, or you risk appearing unprofessional to prospects and existing customers.

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Comments

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 at 7:45 PM, by Article Fountain
A well presented article. We would welcome such inclusions in our own directory.


Sean Wesley
http://www.articlefountain.com

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 at 7:46 PM, by Article Fountain
A well presented article. We would welcome such inclusions in our own directory.


Sean Wesley
http://www.articlefountain.com

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