Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone has tried listing on free online business directories. If so, what sort of response have you had? Has it been an effective method of advertising/marketing?

Do you think that free advertising cheapens a business?

Also, I have an opportunity to place a flyer in a locked glass cabinet in our local shopping centre. I can include this flyer in the cabinet for two weeks for no charge. What advice do you have as to whether this would be effective or if it would be futile? Also, would it give the wrong impression for people or cheapen the business?

I would appreciate any feedback that you may have on these matters. I'm a little stuck as to whether to proceed with these free advertising/marketing options.

Thanks in advance.

Debra

It's called guerrilla marketing. The phrase was made popular by Jay Conrad in his book, by the same name.

I really can't stress strongly enough to small business owners the valuable information you will find in his book. You should check it out from the library and invest the time to read it.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Hi Robin,

I've just bought this book now on e-bay - thanks for the advice and recommendation.

Fiona

I think you should use whatever method of advertising you can, especially if it's free, because you never know what will work and what won't.

I have signed up on so many free online directories I don't even remember what they are, and I have received some clients from them. I always ask people who contact me how they found me.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

you have to throw it out there and see what sticks.. once you narrow it down you can target your efforts better. And since you are testing the water, the least expensive the better in my opinion.

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

Thanks heaps Rebecka and Tamika, that makes me feel a lot better about it. I was on a small business network and the feedback I received from my question was not too positive. It is great to have such a great response and positivity from fellow members!

Thanks Robyn for this book recommendation. I have found a number of different books by this author all discussing different aspects of this marketing so I will be endeavoring to sort through and purchase the one that suits my purposes the best.

Thanks again.
Deb

Hello folks,

I arrived home from a 3 weeks holiday in Turkey yesterday and during my time abroad, sat back and read Jay Conrad's book on Guerrilla Marketing. It has given me a huge boost in my branding and marketing thought patterns so thank you again Robin for this mentioning this book.

Fiona

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Business Support
www.business-support.org

Thanks for the question! I've enjoyed reading the answers as I am not that far off advertising my business for the first time!

I've spent out a reasonable amount just to get things started and didn't want to spend too much on marketing - but then again if I don't market I don't get customers (!)

Does anyone know of good free places to try in the UK?

Thanks!

Avocet

Hi Debra,

For my other business I have only used free business listings such as yellowpages.com, getfave.com, mantra.com. I've had a few call backs from people finding me this way. There are also others. I suggest typing in free business listings in a search engine to see what you find.

I agree with you about the Guerilla Marketing book. It's an awesome resource to help you get your name out there the guerilla way.
Being strategically smart makes you a guerilla marketer.
Anyway, I think that free marketing is the best marketing! It certainly doesn't hurt to get your name out there. I say it's worth a try.