Advanced Tips for (Almost) Free Marketing
High frequency is important but costly in advertising. To get the locals aware of your virus removal business on the cheap, create and place an ad in local, non-competing businesses. Some businesses, like my local gym and coffee shop, allow this for free. If the business appears to not normally display brochures and business cards, here is a tactic to gain their valuable advertising-space anyway: step 1 – purchase something small from the small business owner or manager; step 2 – ask them if they would permit you to place a small brochure for your computer business on their counter or windowsill, and in return, offer them a 50% discount for their kindness.
List your website on local search engines and all the other online directories. Free Yellow Pages directory listings (Google for “yellow pages” – there are a lot of them) bring in a lot of clients for me, and cost nothing.
When a client expresses his gratitude, hand him your business card and ask for referrals. If your client feels you did him a favor, that is the time to ask for a return favor.
Whenever you interact with local businesses, hand them your card. Especially when you buy something. Especially when it’s the manager or owner.