Comments// Posted in small biz marketing by Miz Biz on 05.29.09.

1. Start a blog! Wordpress is free. When you have a little bit more money you can get it customized to fit your biz, but until then, start writing about your expertise.

2. Barter your skills for other things you need done. Things I barter? Web design (high value) and childcare (invaluable). I have another mom and we do swaps. It’s worth every penny. If I need to meet with a client, she’ll watch my little girl, and if she needs to do something that is impossible with a 3 year old boy in tow, I take over.

3. See if your skills match an existing business and work in parallel. We have a great service in town called Rose’s Home Dish that cooks a weekly casserole. You order in advance and a delicious dinner shows up at your door.

I have friend who is a great cook. I think there’s room in town for two businesses like this. There are a lot of busy families and different taste buds to boot. I’m encouraging her to approach Rose with the idea of cooking her own meals and offering them through the network that Rose set up..and cutting Her in on the profit. Don’t reinvent the wheel!

4. Send a personal email to old colleagues and friends letting them know what you are up to and what service you are offering. They may not be in the market but may know someone who is. Email is free, and if you send it one person at a time..well, it ain’t gonna end up in the spam box. Plus the personal touch is always winner.

5. Team 20. I used to call this exercise team 100, but that can take a year and team 20 just feels more manageable. It’s so important when you are launching a new biz or relaunching, or reframing (okay, now I’m talking about myself), that you figure out who your team is. And as much as your spouse or family wants and or needs you to make money they may not be on your business team.

So once or twice a week make a coffee date or phone call until you have reached out to 20 people. These 20 should really truly support you as business person. Let them know what you are up to. Ask them for advice; ask them what they are up to, conversation, not monologue my friends. Some of them might have businesses, some of them might have 100s of friends, some of them are just huge fans of yours, either way, once you’ve identified your 20, keep them in the loop; let them know about new projects, new launches, ETC.

6.  Skip business cards. Skip postcards. Get on Twitter. Get on Facebook. Get on LinkedIn. Check out Ning. Social media takes time, not money.

7.  Can’t afford advertising? Donate your services to something so that you can get your name in their publications, do one a month for a year: SPCA auctions, the local Roller Derby team (I designed the new site!). Once again, it’s a time not money opportunity!

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