| The methods for promoting your home business, are similar to those of a traditional business. And the Internet adds another dimension of marketing. 1. Personalize your business cards with a company logo. Be sure to include email addresses and website URL on the front. Building brand name recognition is very important to build trust with you customers. No matter what your business, consistently showing your prospects your logo will breed familiarity and eventually you will gain their trust. 2. If you sell some type of merchandise, try to have several samples with you at all times. Affix a business card to them if possible. You will then be prepared the next time someone asks you "What do you do for a living?" Hand them a sample or at least your business card so they know how to get more. 3.Collect email addresses from everyone you talk to about your home business. Building an email list can be as good as money in the bank. Tell them you will only send them information pertaining to their interest. And make sure you do so and nothing more! 4. Send out a weekly or monthly newsletter filled with updates and special promotions for your products and services. Or send tips and advice relevant to your business; again building trust and creditability. 5. Learn how to write good copy and informative information for your website and newsletter. If you do not have time to research your home business niche and educate yourself, hire an excellent copywriter to assist you. Good copy makes the difference between a thriving business and lost sales. 6.Request testimonials from known experts in your line of work and satisfied customers, then use them to promote your business. Adding testimonials to your website is a great way to build credibility ant trust. You can also write a testimonial about a related business product or service you have used, and submit it to them. If it is sincere they will be helping you promote your home business by displaying your testimonial. 7. If you do not have one already, you really should consider getting a website. Keep it professional, and easy to navigate and full of quality relevant information. do not overuse flashy graphics that bog down the time it takes for your page to load. Spend some time creating a catchy headline or slogan for your business. Now would be the time to use the expert copywriter again. 8. Get the word out about your online business by joining discussion forums related to your area of business. Post links back to your website and exchange links with other businesses that are relevant but not in direct competition with your business. Be careful what websites you associate with or link to. Only allow your links to be posted on high quality, reputable websites. Only post links of your website to others that you have researched thoroughly. This will improve your page ranking and help you progress up on the search engine results page. 9. Promote your business on social networking sites like Myspace. Find groups of like-minded people, and join their network or group. There are many of these types of websites available online perfect for networking, brainstorming and promoting your home business. This is a fairly new method, which is really starting to catch on. So do not discount the power of social networking and social bookmarking. Even if your home business is not Internet related and focused on a specific geographic location, do not underestimate the viral marketing methods of promoting your home business online. |
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