What's the best way to advertise on a shoestring budget?

[Deja Q]

A local computer closed; the only one in my area which did computer work.

This means there are customers who'd otherwise go to CrapUSA or Worst Buy or some other place.

I can't even begin to afford an office, so I'd have to work from home.

But I want to start up selling services to diagnose computers, remove viruses from them, back up data, the lot.

I've got the means, I've got the ability, I've got just enough of a personality to look sane in front of potential customers, and I've got a drive to make money for once - even in the world of Dubya*.

What I don't have is a lot of $$ to tell people I'm in town. :-(

What is the best way to advertise to people without breaking the proverbial bank? Newspaper ad? Flyers? Shouting from car parks in stores?

And are there legal issues I should be wary of? In this insane land of "Create lawsuit at the mere thought of a drop of a needle, forget the actual dropping of" I rather want to be careful.

Thanks!

[bahrbearian]

1. Bart Cop!!!

[Don_G]

2. Depends....

How big an area do you live in? Smallville or Chicago? Starting budget and other resources like a dependable car? Repair only or service/instruction included?

Inquiring minds want to "know."

[Deja Q]

4. Everything

Car is 8 years old, 78000 miles, has leaked oil since last oil change because the dipsticks at Valvoline Oil Change in Minneapolis put in too much oil! :crazy: I'm expecting to be leak-free after my next change on Saturday. But as I get more customers and get caught up in debt, I'll be able to get a replacement car (a used one worth $4000 or so, I will never buy new.)

Will service and instruct and anything related to a PC, but related only to a PC because I'm crap at everything else. When I can afford one, I'll venture into the Mac market as well, but that's down the road, if ever.

I live in a small but growing town. Also a very wealthy town, the cost of living is considerable.

[Don_G]

5. Okay

Ads in the local paper, business cards and flyers that look professional and left where your targeted clientele will see them, keeping your car leak-free (or parking it on the street where it dosen't sully 'their' driveways), possibly limited Web hosting directed to local businesses in the area (try to find 2 wheels for a '95 Olds within a 2 hour drive of Chicago.)

Just think about it...you're smart enough to come up with something though IMHO you don't realize every oppourtunity you come across.

On Edit: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=267925

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=252710

[Lars39]

3. A few ideas that have worked:

Cheap(but nice) business cards personally handed out to every small business in the area, flyers, small ad in newspaper and the freebie "newspaper", too. Sometimes the local chamber of commerce will put out an advertisement booklet that doesn't cost a whole lot to get your ad in. Barter, barter, barter with businesses that are almost in the same field.

A guy in our town started a business using a web page, offering free but limited ad space/links. If the businesses wanted more space, they had to pony up.

[ProudGerman]

6. Get creative

How much can spray paint, stencils, and the free billboards on either side of your car cost? Throw a big number on your hood, and you can pretend its Nascar every time you go for a drive and get thumbs up from every beat up pick up truck on the highway.

The other suggestions offered above are actually good, mine isn't. But they don't offer the opportunity to live the life of a dork, which I revel in.

[scarlet_owl]

7. Does your community have advertising on

telephone books? Ours does and I frequently use businesses that I can find right on the front cover.

[Don_G]

8. Take It From Me

Advertising in the "Directory" is expensive. I know because I handled directory complaints my last 4 years with BellSouth.

It can add a thousand dollars per/month for a small ad on a business line.

Better to get a reliable cell phone or two with spare batteries that covers your area and do guerilla advertising.

[sistersofmercy]

9. First of all if your target marketing an upscale area...

Skip the flyers, especially on cars, they are truly hated and counterproductive.
You need to find a catch phrase for recognition.
Then do direct mailing of post card with business info including a catch phrase that speaks about your business and you'll want to give ppl a reason to use your services.
It's all about name recognition and need.
You may want to start with a few neighborhoods and build from there as your business grows.
I think 1000 post cards will cost you approximately 150 doing bulk mail. If you need help contact me through PM.
newspaper ads work farly well also but if you have neighborhood newspapers I recommend advertising in those as opposed to the larger papers b/c they're generally more affordable and ppl in the township do read the local papers. Chose wisely though.

[tsipple]

10. Church Bulletins

Strange, but true. People READ them. And they're quite affordable.

[cosmicdot]

11. does your community have a center with a bulletin board

someplace where people thumb-tack such things as: roommate wanted; help needed; rider needed; room for rent, etc.?

[democracyindanger]

12. How much is a shoestring?

I work in advertising, and the first thing to figure out is how much you have to spend. If you have enough for a newspaper ad, then it sounds like you have a little dough to spend--but that doesn't necessarily mean newspapers are your best option.

I'd suggest flyers--not the stick-on-a-windshield sort, but the tear-off-a-number-from-the-bottom kind. Telephone poles, community centers, coffee shops, etc. Foot traffic places. Check with city hall to find out laws regarding this.

Take the money you have to find a good graphic designer. Image is everything. Make your flyers full color and print them on good stock. The difference in image between regular paper and something a little thicker is huge. DO NOT USE COLORED PAPER. Screams "amateur."

Make sure you have a business-only website. Nothing seems more unprofessional than visiting a website to get some business information and also have to wade through personal crap. If you can, have some short testimonials on it--testimonials work well at small levels. Maybe even do some 'case studies' like the big boys. Also, if you can find a graphic designer to do both your flyers and website, that'd be a plus.

You might also consider some of those magnetic door signs for your car. Since you'll be picking up people's boxes, some signs will plus your professional image.

That's all I can think of for now. Any more and I'd have to invoice you. :)

[newyawker99]

13. Congrats democracyindanger!! 300 posts

:toast:

[slappypan]

14. press releases

Write up press releases in the form of news articles, such as ”5 Ways to Avoid Computer Viruses” or "How to Protect Your Important Data," and mention your services and phone number prominently. Send them to local news outlets, many of which will be staffed with lazy whores who would just as soon have you write the stories so they don't have to work. They may very well adapt your stories and run them or call you up for quotes. Or can you agree give free workshops at clubs, libraries, or stores? You can then hand out business cards.

[bif]

15. I'd also suggest putting up flyers

where you customers will see them See if your grocery store/Staples/ etc. have a bulletin board that allows you to put up a flyer. And remember the golden rule of advertising-KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. So if you have a flyer, you might have a big headline like: "Sick Computer? Call the computer Dr." Then in smaller type describe the services you offer. Make sure your phone # is prominently displayed ont he flyer. You can even do the rip-off phone numbers thing on the bottom of the flyer. Good Luck!