Most cost effective way of advertising for my business?

[adlep]

What would be the most cost effectvie way to get the maximum expousure for my business without paying much?
Is placing an add in newspaper a better idea than just placing an add in yellow pages?
So far I tried manytimes to distribute flyers in rich neighborhoods but without a huge success (maybe 2 new customers per 200 flyers; about 8 hours of work for me...)
Any marketing feedback would be very helpfull..?

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

[notserious]

Stand outside with a shotgun, shoot off the occasional blast and yell "get your _____" here!

[/notserious]

 

[adlep]

[notserious]

Stand outside with a shotgun, shoot off the occasional blast and yell "get your _____" here!

[/notserious]

No thanks...
And I refuse to wear a chiken, furry, or gigantic CPU outfits to promote my business..
Unless, I can hire somebody to do it for me :evil:

 

[pyonir]

hire an illegal to hold a sign on the corner for $3 an hour. That's what they do here in Phoenix.

 

[adlep]

That will be difficult too since I don't have an office, I am still running it from my house as a side job..
(I have a computer/network repair company)..

 

[shimsham]

try radio. especially the AM talk and religious stations. filled with people who cant fix it themselves, and would have to hire someone.

 

[adlep]

try radio. especially the AM talk and religious stations. filled with people who cant fix it themselves, and would have to hire someone.

Very good idea # 1, thanks!

 

[badmouse]

If you have a local paper, get them to write an article about your business. It shouldn't be too hard to come up with an angle to write about.
Like:
Local Resident Starts New Business
Local Resident Fixes the Computer of Somebody Famous
Local Resident Tells What Not To Do When Your Computer Breaks
Local Resident Has Opinions about The Future of the Computer Industry
Local Resident Suggests You Pay More Attention To Computer Upgrades
Loc. Res. Has Ten Tips For Computer Security
Loc. Res. Has Repaired His 100th Computer!
Loc. Res. Had An Interesting Thing Happen To Him While Working
Loc. Res. Quits the Rat Race To Own His Own Business

Oh, and especially along the lines of
Local Resident Donates Time and Expertise To Needy Schoolchildren, Hospital, etc.
Local Resident Asks for Your Old Computers to Help Needy Etc.

The way you get them to write an article is to send them a press release. It should be pretty easy to find someone who knows how to write & send a decent press release. If not, call a school/college and find a journalism student or someone on the school paper and ask for advice.

 

[adlep]

So, you are talking about some sorth of volunteer work in order to advertise...
A valid point #2..
Thanks
Any other easy to implement marketing tips?

 

[guyver01]

Use the tried&true marketing method..

SPAM!

 

[GasX]

who are your customers?
where are your customers?
what are their interests?

start by answering those three questions then figure out the most cost effective way to reach them...

If you run a coffee shop, the TV ads that run all over the city wont help. If you run an internet business, a local newspaper classified ad wont accomplish anything...

 

[adlep]

who are your customers?
where are your customers?
what are their interests?

Well, I have small computer service company whic operates in metro Detroit. I do onsite repairs, setup, and upgrades, so basically I target everybody who own a computer (that means most of the population).
Since I have tried flyers and adds before and they do not quite work for me, what extra steps I can do in order to advertise my computer copmany?
My company's web site (I need to update it )
Also, 100% of my customers so far are happy about my work so I can contact them for references...

 

[wedi42]

it takes you 8 hours to distribute 200 flyers??

for my side job i get all my business from referrals.
make sure you give every customer 5 business cards

 

[Quixfire]

Hire a couple of models and have your logo paint on their cleavage and send them downtown during the lunch hour rush.

 

[edro]

Drop leaflets with naked women on them, from a planes, over a city.

 

[adlep]

Right now I get about 95% of my business from refrerrals, so I do pass around my business card like crazy...

 

[djNickb]

Your website seems down. Also where in metro Detroit are you? I'm in Ferndale.

 

[Quixfire]

Hey you?re my competition, if I was still doing this for other people.

Most of my A/C business is generate by referrals. And new business is generated by seasonal flyers I send to all the local trucking companies and local used car lots.

Total cost is about 30-40 dollars; average return is $2-3000.00 in new business from the flyers and referrals generated by the new customers.

 

[Yzzim]

most cost effective advertising - word of mouth

 

[bonkers325]

print your ad on the breasts and bossoms of beautiful women.

 

[Rudee]

Airbrush your company logo on the boobs of a hottie!

 

[jfall]

Use google ad-words.. you can set your pay quota for the month

 

[amdskip]

I've started using the business card idea and so far it has worked great.

 

[adlep]

Your website seems down. Also where in metro Detroit are you? I'm in Ferndale.

I am in Ferndale too!
And I agree, the word of mouth seems to be the best advertisment, but then it doesn't generate enough revenue for me so far...
Also, my website seems to be just fine...?

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: adlep

who are your customers?
where are your customers?
what are their interests?

Well, I have small computer service company whic operates in metro Detroit. I do onsite repairs, setup, and upgrades, so basically I target everybody who own a computer (that means most of the population).
Since I have tried flyers and adds before and they do not quite work for me, what extra steps I can do in order to advertise my computer copmany?
My company's web site (I need to update it )
Also, 100% of my customers so far are happy about my work so I can contact them for references...

take out your welcome page. its unnecessary.

edit: put references on your website. go to small and medium sized companies, make a beautiful color glossy brochure using high quality graphics, and promote your services directly to companies. word of mouth takes time, and should trickle down. maybe see if you can become a dell authorized service center.