Advertising my business?

[accez24]

I run a small carpentry business and i am looking for ways to adertise it. The yellow pages is to expenisive and doesnt really bring in the work for you. I live in the south east area any ideas would be greatfully appreciated.

[Mel]

Internet; web page, search engines like yahoo, google, and live search. To have a web page with yahoo, it is only about $10 per month and they will list you for free.

Flyers, fax or mail to local builders, engineers, and realtors. If you have Home Owner Associations, go there, introduce yourself, and give them a brochure.

[evansangel]

freeads =]

Just go go google.co.uk and type in 'free ads'

then follow from there =]

[roxy]

Print some creative ads on your computer and ask local businesses like hair salons, pet stores, churches, community areas, or barber shops if your can put your ad in there.

[EarthSphere]

Make a short funny home movie and place it on YouTube and other online video sources. Also, when you add questions, such as this, tell people about your business. Save several bits of info - messages - and shamelessly pass it around. Good luck. BTW - I love South Wales.

[Echocomputers]

Some Good Links For Online Advertising:

Kents Free Business Directory (http://www.kentfind.co.uk) - Add your business its free
Google Local / Google Maps (http://www.google.co.uk/local/add) - Again its free and used a lot

You need to get a web site. If you want to design this yourself there are lots of tutorials and site building systems out there. If you want a professional job done then I recommend Echo Computers (http://www.echocomputers.co.uk) (shameless plug)

[Green-Moo]

You need to get a web site.


Not intending to rain on Echo's parade, but I really don't see the need for a small carpentry business to have it's own website. Of course, the type of work you do will have a bearing. If you are making products for sale it might be an invaluable sales too, but I'd personally be searching lists of local tradespeople / small ads if I were searching for a carpenter to carry out work at my home.

[Matt]

The first place I look when I want a job done is on google. I think having a web presence of some kind, even just a few pages is vital in this day and age.

[tater03]

I don't know I think nowadays that any business can only be helped by having their own website.

[Green-Moo]

I don't know I agree. I'd search google for something nationwide, but local business directories for something local.

A basic website wouldn't hurt, but it wouldn't be my first priority for this type of business.

[chocoguy]

I think that the best way to advertise your business is by having a website first then look for blogs that will post about your site. This is the best way for any business to be know easily.

[Bill Fox]

Hi,

The key to any good advertising/marketing campaign is to understand your target market, who are they and where are they.

Once you have established that you need to work on your USP (Unique Selling Proportion) why should they use your company.

In your ad I would list at least 3 reason why they should call you first.

For more ideas visit www.actioncoach.com/billfox (http://www.actioncoach.com/billfox)

[Matt]

Some nice pointers there Bill. Well done.

[Tim Tin Productions]

Good site you have there Bill. You hit on some great points for new businesses.

[andasay]

Sometimes the best ways to advertise your services are the old fashioned ways. Do a leaflet drop in the areas you cover, leave leaflets anywhere you can, in the supermarket, at the library in the newsagents window etc. If your business is localised, try a local newspaper too.