ForumsAdvertising, Sales and Marketing

Im very keen on the facebook idea - it's a wonderful way to spread word about something and find like-minded people. Other social networks are good to hit too. When doing anything for myself, I always use the analogy 'get down in the trenches' - Connect with your userbase and outline your ideas, don't sell them.

If you are a brick and mortar location - create events that are designed to bring people to you - tasting clubs, fashion shows, painting workshops, decorating seminars, simple car maintenance forums, car shows, contests... the list is endless depending on your business.

I was working with a local bank that we developed a more interesting Kid's Club for through the local churches.
I encouraged a local jeweler to go by the local salons and invite everyday ladies to participate in his holiday fashion shop.
Of course free samples work great for food, and so do cooking classes. My favorite tea and coffee house does tastings everyday and holds a ice tea competition.

I have more, but you get the idea, it is really a matter of changing how you look at things.

These are 100% FREE marketing ideas:

• Attend networking events
• Set up a blog and send an email to your clients/prospects with the link and a short comment every time you post.
• Set up an account in social networking sites and be active
• Send regular (but not more than once a week) emails to your list with special offers or new products.

These cost very little:

• Have a weekly coffee meeting with a prospect/client
• Call 2 prospects/clients every day
• Have small, interesting items imprinted with your logo and hand them out to contacts that interest you at networking events.
• Send out 2-3 greeting cards to business contacts each week

For more ideas you are welcome to visit my website, www.action-promo.com and subscribe to our newsletter.

Good luck!