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5 Simple Promotion Ideas for Your Small Business

While many small business ideas think of “promotion” in terms of which “advertising specialties” to purchase, it’s impossible to track the effectiveness of free pens and calendars. However, there are several low-cost, creative ways you can both promote your business and track the results.

One simple method is the cross-promotion. Working in partnership with a non-competing local business, you design a cross-promotion where you each send a mailing to your customer list with the other business’ special offer. Fr example, instead of sending the traditional Christmas card, you send a discount or “buy one get one free” coupon for the other one’s special. It’s simple to track by the coupons redeemed.

Another simple promotion is the Customer Appreciation Day. Provide simple refreshments and have a few special offers to reward loyal customers. Door prize registrations can track who visited.

Refer-a-friend promotions encourages current customers to help recruit new customers by referral–usually by making a special offer, such as 25% off for the new customer, with a follow-up 10% off thank you coupon for the referrer.

Another effective promotional idea is to find a worthy local cause, set a date, and announce that a percentage of that day’s sales will be donated to that charitable cause. You may even be able to get some free publicity with local media and help to raise awareness of a worthy cause.

Finally, if your business has given you an interesting area of expertise, you may be able to give presentations to local organizations. For example, if you own a hardware store, you could develop a series on simple do-it-yourself home repairs to present to ladies’ clubs.

While you have the understandable goal of promoting your own business and creating profit, think in terms of “what do I have to offer besides my products?” You may be able to brainstorm some unique promotional ideas for your small business.