Business Cards Update
As previously mentioned, I ordered 100 free business cards from MarketSplash by HP. They have arrived – and I am very pleased with them.
The first person to receive one was my 13 year old son. He was less than impressed, not by the quality of the card, but with the fact that I’m starting my own business! Typical teenager—
I’ve just learned that there may be issues with the funding for my job (the funds are out there, it is just getting everyone to do what must be done in time to get it), so getting GS Business Resources going is a higher priority for me. Tomorrow, I’m meeting with some friends to start handing out my business cards! Word-of-mouth is my primary marketing strategy for now, so I’m thrilled to have business cards to hand out.
What low/no cost marketing ideas have worked for you?
Free Business Cards
Are you in need of new business cards? Starting a new business, or have changes that make your current cards obsolete? Want to try out a new logo or layout for your business cards? All of the above?!?
Then you need to take a look at MarketSplash by HP. They offer 100 business cards free of charge. Yes, free. Even standard shipping is free. There is a wide range of designs to choose from, so take some time and look through them.
The back of the card does have the MarketSplash web address on them, but I consider that a small price to pay for free business cards.
I placed my order last night, and I’ll update once I receive them.
Many thanks to Allison of SuperCrafty for bringing this to my attention!
No Cost Networking
I found this post and thought it had some great ideas. Although geared towards those looking for another job, the suggestions listed also apply to those starting a new business, those looking to grow an existing business, and those needing to replace clients who have left. And as the article shows, you don’t have to spend money to effectively network.
The key point is to begin networking NOW, whether you think you need to or not. If you aren’t opening the doors to your business for several months, begin putting together a list of names to contact closer to the opening date. If your client list is full, you never know when one of your big accounts cancels and leaves a big hole in your income, so don’t neglect keeping your name out there. Networking consistently, in a variety of ways, helps ensure that when you need to find new clients, you have resources at hand.
I’ve already implemented these suggestions. I have gone through every phone list I have to make a note of people to contact. What I have found is that some of the people on my list know a LOT of other people. By contacting a person I know, I have the potential to get word of my virtual assistance business out to many others.
I’m going to contact a local theatre company to volnteer my virtual assistant skills. I’ve already volunteered there as a costume assistant for several productions so they are familiar with me and my work ethic.
I am also online. In addition to this blog, you can find me on Twitter and Facebook. Yes, I need to do more with them, but I have made a start.
So -what no-cost method are you using to market your business?
Free Resources on the Internet
Starting and running a business is hard, and money is often tight. Finding something free that will help run a business is good – finding something free that works and really helps your business is great!
I have found a couple of resources on the internet that are free, and from what I’ve been able to test, work very well. They are listed below – see if any of them might meet one of your business needs, and give it a try.
Know of another free service out there that might benefit small businesses? Please reply and share!
Found this on Virtual Assistant 3.0. Downloaded and ran it on my ancient desktop and my laptop. The desktop does seem to be running a better these days, which is what I had hoped for. Freed up a lot of space on my laptop as well, which is always a very good thing! For Windows only – anyone know of a Mac alternative?
I’ve used Gmail for nearly three years now, and while I love it, it is missing one feature I wish it had – the ability to schedule emails to be sent at a future time. I often think of an email I want to send late at night or over the weekend, but since so many people have emails sent to the Blackberrys or iPhones, I don’t necessarily want to bother them outside of business hours. With Letter Me Later, I can set up email to be sent at the time I want without having to find a way to remind myself. Very handy!
Sadly, I cannot remember where I found a reference to this one, but I am very glad that I did!
Please let me know what you think!
