What do you believe are the best ways to promote/market/advertise a company without using money?

[Lauren Fiedler]

If you had no money but had to promote a company and get the brand out there what ways would you go about doing this. Internet, Trade Advertising, etc. . .

[Cissi Sherlock]

I was once touted by Hazel as being one to follow in her footsteps. Evertwhere I go, my reputations (ar at least my name) precedes me. I like to call myself the queen of networking, but I am only a princess, I pale to the true "Queen". But have also learned from her.

Word of mouth is ok, but a lot of times you have to start the "word".

Make your self and your company visible. That's why I named my PR company Visibility . . (you pronounce the dot dot). And, I net work and talk, talk, talk. That's why I named my cellular phone company "Chat It Up!"

And then I work to open the lines of communication in my community. That's why I named my outreach organization Operation "OpenUP!"

Be honest. Be amiable and just be you. Most business people are likable anyway! And, they don't want to blow thier chances at losing a contact, so they smile!

That'll get them every time!

[Steph Woodward]

Well, as a PR/Advertising student, I can honestly say that one of your best resources would be to employ free labor. Students in this field are always looking for experience, and internships/jobs are hard to come by. You might be surprised how many people would volunteer their time, ideas, etc. in order to build their portfolio before they graduate. There are also student organizations (or classes) that will do work like this for little or no cost. You won't have the benefit of someone with years of experience, but that can be an advantage sometimes too. If you haven't had time to build standard procedures, you're forced to be creative. I know that Purdue has a student-run PR firm (Boiler Communication) which charges $50 to get a team of interns (yes, they run the PR firm through an internship program set up by the school of Communication) assigned to work on whatever projects you need them to work on for a semester. I know that other schools have similar firms... Ball State's is very well known. Anyway... it's worth considering.

[Mark Gaddo]

I would use the internet. Face Book, My Space, Twitter, Smaller Indiana. Then I would create a buzz by doing an event that would be different and would draw attention from the main street press. Maybe utilize You Tube to bring the product out in a real different way.

[Matthew A. Griffith]

google- WillItBlend.

That's one way.

See projects I'm working on-

www.shawtechnologies.net
www.wireprousa.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87I_AhOEzGs
www.360brake.com

[Kris Davidson]

I'm a little surprised no one has suggested utilizing Urban Spoon. I work downtown, and my coworkers and I often use Urban Spoon to look at restaurant reviews, check out what percentage of people recommend a place and to see what places are within walking distance of our office.

Getting people to write a review about you on Urban Spoon would be a good way to literally 'get you on the map.'

I also look on Q95's website for the Half Price Hookup. I'm not sure if there is a cost to offer half-priced gift certificates on their site, but people can purchase them online and have them mailed to their address. It's a good way to get your business's name out there.

Good luck!
Kris

[Mark R Platt]

While I was in college I worked at a restaurant and was charged with bringing in more business. Of course no capital or ideas were given. I had a computer, copier, and paper and my initiative is what I was told I had to work with. Your location is going to play into some of this, but here is what I did.

1st) It was a Mexican restaurant and I found some old coloring books and a video about Mexico. Went around to all of the Day cares and elementary schools and sold them on bringing in their kids for a $5 meal and learning about Mexican culture. It was my first lunch and learn ! Worked pretty well and we got the kids in and out before we opened for regular customers. We did it about 2x a week when school was in session and about 1x a week when school was out. Then each kid went home with a free meal coupon to get their parents in later that month. If you have an ethnic angle work it.

2.) College campuses. Hit all of colleges with flyers normally with a free app with purchase of a meal.

3.) Any big sports night on TV. (if you have a bar). UFC brought in good bar money, Monday night football, etc…. Your bartenders need to learn how to develop clients and your daytime lunch staff.

4.) Word of mouth is the best advertisement for a restaurant and the worst. A good experience will get you 3-4 new clients. A bad experience will lose you 10. So everything is about the friendliness of your wait staff and timeliness of your back of the house staff. People do not expect much now days when eating out. If your staff can keep their glasses filled, food coming out on time, and clearing away plates and getting the check there and back you will get good reviews. Also your price per portion and atmosphere will play a role in that also.

5.) Email newsletter about the restaurant and any birthday/anniversary list you can create.

Good luck!

[Victor H. Martinez]

go to your local SCORE office for advice, meet with your local SEED office ($$$$$) and sign up for the classes!!!!!!
Meet with the Mayor's office and approriate City Depts. and get information. Go top Hanipin marketing in BLoomington and let them create a fully developed website to do most of your promoting, marketing and advertising. In that order. Be patient!

[Victor H. Martinez]

Restaurant,,,,by a Lunch Wagon to see if people on the street like what you like. or sell items to one.

[Carla Feagans]

Wow, some amazingly great suggestions on here. This is one of the many things I love about the Smaller Indiana community - people are so helpful.

Okay, so how would you alter this advice for business development/marketing/advertising of a training company targeting mid- to large-size businesses?? We have amazing programs and consultants in place and now just need to find the right connections. We've already got some great strategic partners - including Community Health Network - but now we need to get in front of clients. And investors/grants. Suggestions?

[Kimberly Finnegan]

Last year when I first started my own business. I didn't have money to invest. So, my first step was to build my own website from officelive for free, then I joined social marketing groups also free. This helped to make a name for myself and put the information out there. Now I'm able to spend more money on marketing and I have joined networking groups and distribute flyers in the community. Marketing is truely all about word of mouth no matter what business your in. So, the key is to share with as many people as possible to develope your word of mouth network.