October 2008

This issue home | Past issues | Chamber home

Quick Fixes for the Advertising Budget Blues

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, making the most of how you advertise your business should be one of your first priorities. If you’re using print media to advertise your business, you may be throwing away your hard earned dollars. Ask yourself this: How many times have you picked up your daily newspaper or found your mailbox stuffed with direct mail and how many times have those newspapers and mailers ended up in your trash can at home? Remember, you’re a consumer too. If print media isn’t working on you, it probably isn’t working on your customers either!

Here are three quick ways to boost your visibility and stretch your advertising budget:
Encourage customers to become spokespersons.

Get creative, set yourself apart from the pack and create incentive programs for your customers to make referrals, write reviews at online sites like BestofDFW.com, and reward their hard work by creating loyalty discounts and announcing new services or products to these customers before you announce them to the general public. Word of mouth is a powerful thing, and the happier your customers are, the likelier they are to spread the word about your business.

Get involved in your community.
Work hand in hand with neighboring, non-competing businesses in your market by jointly advertising each other’s services in your respective establishments. For example, you own a nail salon that happens to be located next to an oil change shop. Offer a 10% discount off manicures while they wait to have their car serviced and vice versa. Also, supporting a favorite local charity or cause increases your visibility and is as easy as advertising that you’ll be donating a small percentage of your profit on a given day or by setting up a table or booth at a charitable event. 

Develop an Internet presence.
Given that almost 80% of U.S. residents are using the internet on a daily basis, can you afford not to have a strong online presence? Not only is internet advertising affordable, companies like BestofDFW.com can specifically target the local community your business serves, and ensure that your company is in front of the right market. Advertising online also gives you direct access to how many people are viewing your ad, helping you determine the success of your marketing efforts. The internet can also allow potential and existing customers to access your menu of services, download coupons, review your business, and sign up for special email offers.

Remember, by being conscientious in your marketing and by creating a unique and reliable presence in your community, you’ll see your business grow at an extraordinary rate – and it won’t take a large advertising budget to make it happen!

Click here to Unsubscribe or email rsvp@richardsonchamber.com.

Richardsonchamber.com | Richardson Chamber of Commerce | Metroplex Technology Business Council
Richardson Economic Development Partnership | Leadership Richardson

© 2004-2006 Richardson Chamber of Commerce
411 Belle Grove Drive
Richardson, Texas 75080-5297
(972) 792-2800

NeoSpire Managed Hosting

Top Stories

• Richardson Chamber Hosts New Health and Wellness Expo
• All Star Cast at Regional Women’s Leadership Conference on October 23
• Leadership Richardson Class XXIV September Kick-Off

More Top Stories

• Quick Fixes for the Advertising Budget Blues
• Hispanic Parents College Information Night
• Richardson Chamber Golf Tournament was a Hole-in-One
• Making the Internet a Part of Your Business
• Chamber Adopts Resolution of Support for Raise Your Hand Texas
• Chamber Stresses Communication in Helping Its Companies Grow
• Richland College Chosen for National “Plus 50 Initiative”
• Richardson Regional Medical Center to Celebrate Expansion of Bush/Renner Campus
• Chamber Members Invited to Participate in UTD Student Business Alliance Directory
• Shopping Center of the Month – Breckinridge Corners I and II
• Richardson City Staff Members Assume New Responsibilities to Enhance City’s Focus on Development and Redevelopment

  ---

In Every Issue

• Events Calendar
• Member-To-Member Discounts
• New Members
• Renewals
• Ribbon Cuttings

President's Club Members

Platinum Member
American National Bank
Oncor Delivery
Richland College of the DCCCD

Gold Members
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Galatyn Park
Granite Properties
Koll Development Company
Corporation
University of Texas at Dallas

Silver Members
Atmos Energy
Bank of Texas
City of Richardson
David G. Blanchard, CLU,
Fobare Commercial
Humana
Lennox International Inc.
LegacyTexas Bank
Reliable Chevrolet
Reliant Energy
Rosewood Properties
Texans Credit Union
ViewPoint Bank
Wells Fargo North Dallas Commercial Bank
Winston Capital Corporation