We all know that a successful business requires advertising...andthat can be expensive. We also know that owning your ownbusiness can mean a very tight budget. So what do you do whenyou don't have enough cash to advertise? Start trading! Tradingproducts and services for advertising can not only give the smallbusiness person excellent opportunities for exposure, but it alsosaves money.
Trading for advertising can be easier than you think. Forexample, say you own a donut or bagel shop. Try giving boxes ofyour goods to local radio stations for daily giveaways. Inreturn, they can speak highly of your products on the air. Or,try simply showing up with treats for the morning DJs. They'reprobably hungry, and they can give you a mention during the show.All it will cost you is a few of your products.
And fortunately, radio isn't the only place you can trade foradvertising. Newspapers frequently need traded items and servicesto give away as prizes to readers, advertisers, and employees.Getting your product out to even a few people (especially if ithas your name printed on it) can encourage great word-of-mouthadvertising, and it won't cost you much. Check with thecirculation department of your local paper.
Aside from radio and newspaper, TV stations in many medium-sizedand small cities like to trade advertising for products orservices. You'd be surprised at how flexible some TV stations arewilling to be. If you're willing to do some checking, you couldend up with some great advertising just by trading your productor service. Try contacting the advertising department.
Trading for advertising can be a useful tool in almost anybusiness. For example, there is a Realtor in my area who doeshis own real estate show on talk radio. He enlisted localbusiness sponsors to pay his on-air fees, so they get someinexpensive advertising in return for small financial support.For the Realtor who doesn't have that show biz zeal, appearingregularly as a real estate expert on someone else's show can bejust as effective. In this case, you're simply trading your ownexpertise for some on-air exposure.
Not all media outlets will trade for advertising. Some willwelcome trades at some times of the year, and not others. Someoutlets will want to do a part trade, part cash arrangement. Agreat many newspapers, radio, and TV stations will give you abonus of a few free commercials or mentions when you buy ads.
No matter what you do or sell, there is probably a newspaper,newsletter, magazine, TV station, cable system, radio station, oron-line provider that needs you. If you're short on cash, simplyask these outlets if they'd be interested in a trade. You mightbe surprised at what they're willing to do.
Kevin Nunley provides marketing advice and copywriting. See his10,000 marketing ideas and popular promotion packages athttp://DrNunley.com Reach Kevin at mailto:kevin@drnunley.com or603-249-9519.
