| One of the biggest challenges that new business | | | | graphics and/or pictures relatively simple. If you pack |
| owners face when launching a venture is promotion | | | | the ad from top to bottom with text people won't |
| and publicity. Getting the word out is essential. It can | | | | bother to read it. Limit text to fifty words or less; just |
| make or break a new business. Leases are | | | | enough to for people to read in one quick glance. |
| expensive, and owners can't afford to wait weeks or | | | | Make the information pertinent and memorable. |
| months for traffic to reach their stores. Merely putting | | | | 2) Signs. Rent a portable sign/signs that you can add |
| up an "OPEN" sign isn't enough. New business | | | | your own copy to (i.e. signs with changeable letter |
| advertising requires some creativity. | | | | panels.) Place it/them on a high-traffic road near your |
| Of course, new businesses usually have tight | | | | place of business. If possible, get one with power so |
| advertising budgets. After rent, contractors and | | | | that it can be lit up at night. Add a message |
| suppliers have been paid there is typically little money | | | | announcing your grand opening details so that drive-by |
| leftover for promotional purposes. Yet advertising | | | | traffic (that is largely made up of locals) can see that |
| cannot be overlooked. The trick is finding effective | | | | you're ready to do business. |
| ways to stretch those dollars effectively. | | | | 3) Stock up on business promotional gifts. When it |
| Fortunately, some of the best techniques for new | | | | comes to business advertising dollars, business |
| business advertising are some of the least expensive. | | | | promotional gifts pack a big punch for smallest amount |
| Every business owner should try at least ONE of the | | | | of change. Business owners have literally thousands of |
| following methods of advertising a grand opening: | | | | items to choose from and hundreds of them cost |
| 1) Newspaper advertising. There's no better way to | | | | mere pennies per unit. For $500 you will be able to |
| reach the community that your business is located in | | | | purchase hundreds to thousands of individual |
| than to advertise in the community newspaper. After | | | | promotional items to hand out to potential customers. |
| all, it's probably the locals who are going to be your | | | | Business promotional gifts make a much bigger impact |
| biggest supporters. Get their attention by taking out an | | | | than a business card, since they contain your business |
| ad. Although it's more costly, get one that's at least half | | | | logo and information, plus they are useful too. |
| a page or larger. Smaller spaces are less expensive, | | | | Though it adds extra cost, business advertising should |
| but may be overlooked by more than half of the | | | | be as essential a part of your operating budget as rent |
| readers. It's well worth paying more for an ad that | | | | and utilities. Failure to advertise your new business may |
| people will actually notice. Another option is to have a | | | | start you off on the wrong foot and result in a delay in |
| circular added to the local paper. It needn't be more | | | | getting your business off the ground. Good business |
| than a single page that is eye-catching and informative. | | | | advertising doesn't have to be expensive, just creative. |
| Whether you choose an ad or a circular, keep the | | | | |