| It's very daunting when trying to start a new | | | | Facebook also offers advertising which can target |
| online shop or business. I've compiled a fairly | | | | a specified audience, and you can nominate a |
| extensive list to make life a little easier for you, | | | | budget to spend in order to keep your finances in |
| due to endless research and brainstorming to | | | | order. |
| promote my own online shop. Many of these | | | | Submit articles to different ezines, again relating to |
| strategies, I'm sure you've possibly come across | | | | your particular business, and including links back to |
| before, but a few may be new to you, and can | | | | your site where it's allowed. |
| help considerably. | | | | Create a press release, and submit to sites such |
| Firstly, you need to construct a business plan if | | | | as prlog, or even to your local newspaper. |
| you haven't done so already. Include a marketing | | | | Sell your products on eBay or any of the many |
| and promotion plan, and a budget. | | | | other online auction sites. eBay can be expensive, |
| There are many free marketing methods, and | | | | but can prove to be a valuable way to get your |
| the most effective has to be Word-of-Mouth. Tell | | | | business noticed. An eBay store can get pricey |
| everyone you can! In turn, ask them to tell | | | | too, but can also be an excellent selling tool. |
| everyone they can, and this way you have the | | | | Add your business name to all your online photos, |
| potential of reaching hundreds and thousands of | | | | so that way if someone is browsing only images |
| people! For free. | | | | online, or if they copy one of your pictures, it can |
| Submit your website to the most popular search | | | | be another form of free advertising for your |
| engines, if you haven't done so already. This is | | | | shop. |
| nearly always a free process, and doesn't take | | | | Try contacting relevant online businesses and |
| much time at all. Make sure you resubmit around | | | | offer a link exchange. It's bound to draw traffic to |
| every 2 months. Don't overdo it, tho, as it can | | | | your site. Create a visual media advertisement, as |
| have negative repercussions, with some search | | | | professional as you can afford, and upload it to |
| engines even barring your site if you appear to be | | | | YouTube. If your cash is limited, a slideshow can |
| "spamming" your site by resubmitting it too often. | | | | still be effective. Be sure to include your link. A |
| Be prepared for a 6 week or so delay after you | | | | creative or funny video can become a worldwide |
| submit your site until it can be searchable on that | | | | sensation and can literally draw hundreds of |
| search engine. Popular search engines to try are | | | | thousands of visitors to your site. There are |
| of course Google, MSN and Yahoo. | | | | thousands of online classifieds sites online, many |
| List your business in local directories, both in hard | | | | offering free ads. |
| copy and online. Many online directories are free | | | | Email marketing is an important tool. Offer a free |
| to list in; Aussie Local is a good one, as well as | | | | newsletter listing your new products and services, |
| TrueLocal. | | | | and give a reason for people to submit their email |
| Create flyers, brochures, postcards and business | | | | address. Perhaps have a special offer or |
| cards professionally, (Vistaprint is an excellent | | | | competition. |
| supplier) and do a letter-box drop. Many of us | | | | This leads me to the next strategy. Have an |
| have friends and family living in other cities or | | | | online competition. Perhaps have a referral |
| interstate, so why not see if they will help you | | | | competition. Offer a decent reward to anyone |
| out with a letter-box drop in their local areas. Post | | | | who generates the most leads that in turn sign up |
| your flyers / brochures out to them. | | | | for your newsletter or emails. Take a page out of |
| With your business cards, ask local businesses if | | | | Avon's book, and offer commissions or rewards |
| you may leave them with them to display. You'll | | | | to sales reps to sell your products for you. |
| always have better success if you do this in | | | | If it suits your products, hold party plans -- |
| person. | | | | Tupperware style. This way a host or hostess |
| Pin your flyer up on local noticeboards in | | | | organizes the leads for you and you only present |
| universities or grocery stores. | | | | the products to your eager-to-buy crowd. Make |
| Join online forums or blogs. Answer questions and | | | | sure it's a fun atmosphere and be prepared to |
| participate (as yourself, not sounding like a robot | | | | make some decent sales! People who go to these |
| by "spamming" your website). Talk about subjects | | | | types of home-parties are already in the mind-set |
| relevant to your line of business, and always use | | | | to buy. |
| a digital signature with a link to your site. You'll be | | | | Maybe you could try a stall at your local markets. |
| surprised how effective this can be. | | | | Have plenty of business cards handy. The world is |
| Join social networking sites such as Twitter, | | | | your oyster. |
| Facebook and Myspace, and again, be yourself | | | | Try a few, or all of these marketing strategies |
| and promote your business with links and blogs | | | | and you are bound to have your business grow. |
| within the site. Facebook, for example, lets you | | | | Compliment these with outstanding customer |
| add your business to their "pages" section. It's | | | | service and your business is basically guaranteed |
| free, and you can invite people to become fans. | | | | to succeed. |