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Good ways to advertise for a small business

nick1985

nick1985

Lifer
So I recently started my own computer repair business. I also have a website that was completed a couple of weeks ago. Within a week I hope to have my business cards done as well.

Right now as I wait on my business cards, I have just been putting ads on Craigslist, with very mild success (2 jobs in a 2-3 week span). My plan is to call some non-profits(animal shelters, etc) and ask if I can put business cards in their establishements in exchange for free computer work for their PC's. This a good idea? My sister had the non-profit idea, and I think its a good one, but who knows.

Other than radio/TV ads(not going to happen), what are some good ways to get my business name out there?
 
I'd ask the non profits to put the cards out before you volunteer your services, then, if needed, offer them your services at a discount.
 
Before you go offering free computer work, try asking if they'll let you put some cards on their counter for nothing. Most places are usually happy to support local, non-competing businesses in my experience. Also consider going to places that you already do business with and leaving cards. As a customer, you are already helping them, so they'd be more likely to allow you to advertise there.
 
Check your transit service. This varies per city I'm sure but when I found out the prices on our local trasit, my jaw dropped at how cheap it is. I might advertise my game server just because. ~100 bucks for a full bus ad, as in, it spans the whole bus. Inside is like 8 bucks.

Of course for a bigger city it may cost more, but worth looking at to see what they charge.
 
^

Good call guys, I'll try asking if I can just leave the business cards there. If they decline then I can offer free/discounted work and see what they say. I don't want to open up a can of worms but offering tons of free work.
 
Red Squirrel said:
Check your transit service. This varies per city I'm sure but when I found out the prices on our local trasit, my jaw dropped at how cheap it is. I might advertise my game server just because. ~100 bucks for a full bus ad, as in, it spans the whole bus. Inside is like 8 bucks.

Of course for a bigger city it may cost more, but worth looking at to see what they charge.
Click to expand...

I live in a suburb of Chicago, not much of a transit service where I live. :/

Thanks for the idea though.
 
got a car? get a magnet. an a-frame board looks more legit than paper flyers.... but find local pizza shops or whatever with a community board, see if you can put your business cards or a small post-card sized flyer or someting
 
Social networking. Mention your business on your facebook, twitter, etc. Offer specials to people that mention seeing your ads or social posts as well maybe?
 
You may want to look into radio. I advertised my business on a local station in exchange for offering discounted gift certificates. Now, the catch is that they only did my ad for one full day but it was well worth it. I received a huge surge in business.
 
Shellz said:
You may want to look into radio. I advertised my business on a local station in exchange for offering discounted gift certificates. Now, the catch is that they only did my ad for one full day but it was well worth it. I received a huge surge in business.
Click to expand...

Curious, what did it cost you?
 
i've seen flyers on bulletin boards in my local pizzeria, train station, bus station and telephone poles that have info about computer services and then the little rip tabs at the bottom with contact information so people can rip one off and take it with them.
 
Put multiple ads on Craigslist in various categories. Leave your business card in various restaurants, outsite Microcenter or Circuit City on the windshields. This is a more targeted area. Get some urinal cakes with your company name and put them in Johns across the city.
 
I have my own IT consulting Biz.
I do the following.

SEO and PPC for my keywords that I target.
I live in orlando, and if you search for

computer repair orlando
Exchange server orlando
Server repair orlando
or any other thing I do I usually show up.
Good luck, and what are your rates?
 
Soundmanred said:
DO NOT DO THIS.
You will piss people off more than generate business. it's (semi)legal littering, and nobody likes it.
Click to expand...

It's sandeagle, he is always a giant unhelpful troll. 100% of his posts should be ignored, which is why I have him on ignore. Just an FYI 🙂
 
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