Alright here is my question. I have had several opportunites to advertise (yes I am legal). One with the front of the telephone book for only $150. With that I would get a space on the front with my business name and number. I would also have several businesses informing clients of me. I would also receive 15 commercials on the local radio. I turned it down. Then, I have a website in my area that charges $45/month. They only represent people in my area. Last year they had 268,000 hits in January. I would receive the names of anyone that hits on my site. I turned them down.

I am new to having a business and I have very limited funds. Am I insane for turning down these opportunites? Am I doing the right thing by trying to get my name out there with samples, business cards and post cards, or should I do other stuff?

My husband and I own a very successful Heating & Air company. What we have found through the years is our best customers are always from word of mouth. the majority of customers from yellow pages were looking for bottom dollar prices (we are not) so we only have our name and phone listed in yellow pages that's it. we have a very visible location when we firsted moved to this location we could not keep up with the work. So I do not think you did the wrong thing. I would keep getting your name out. maybe some yard signs?? oh, yeah we had a website too a very elaberate on....it wasn't worth the big expense maybe you could just do a website on one of the free places???Just my 2 cents but coming from someone who has been totally in charge of our marking I think for the time being you sound very wise. Hey, you can always try something else down the rode....maybe some flyers in newspaper boxes...good luck sounds like you're on the right track....

BTW, I just looked at your cake gallery...your cakes are very unique and beautiful.....I predict you will soon have more work than you can do

I don't think you are insane. It seems to me that the really BIG things I have done that I thought would generate some biz has done nothing. But the simple act of giving cheesecake samples has done wonders. Keep going out samples and cards in hand, meet people, talk to them, let them know who you are and what you are about. You will make some great contacts and the orders will come. Wishing you nothin gbut the best!

I have to disagree about not advertising. It depends what kind of business you have and what kind you are looking for and where you live. 90% of my business is wedding cakes (which is what I prefer). I do a lot of advertising in print and online. I live in a fairly large city with many decorators. I have found name recognition to be invaluable.

If this is not the case for you, you still need to have some sort of marketing plan in place. This might mean free samples. It might mean cold calling event planners. You will eventually find what works and doesn't work for you in your area (I found out- after several tries- that bridal shows were a waste of my money).

Word of Mouth is great and it gets you a loyal following but in my particular case, where I don't have a whole lot of repeat business (how many times do people get married?), it is slow to reap the rewards.

The other thing to remember is to treat your business like a business- (tis is not the first business I've owned). If you treat it like a hobby, it will treat you like a hobby. If you treat it like a small business it will treat you like a small business. If you treat it like a big business...

I agree that word of mouth is the best form of advertisement. Don't waste your money. I used to do all that stuff, and found that most of my customers come from a referral, not the radio or phone book. Keep giving your cards, and doing what you are doing.

you can also co-op advertising.

Join in with a bridal shop if you do wedding cakes. A party place if you want to do kiddie cakes.

Right now here in Miami, the oldies station is holding a MILLION TOY DRIVE and they will give your business a shout out if you donate part of your proceeds to the toy drive.

I have been thinkng of doing that ...if they allow my business to do that.

out of all the advertising that I have done, I have found few as successful as

word of mouth
refrigerator magnets
radio
samples

those are my top pics in no particular order.

good luck

I'm also primarily wedding cakes/catering. My only ads are internet and word of mouth (I even give referral credits). I dont' know anyone who uses the phone book anymore ..... when they are looking for a business, they go straight to the computer, not the phone book. Being primarily wedding, I have a very focused market so the traditional advertising won't really work for me.

Getting in with wedding planners is good, and also with photographers. Brides tend to book, in order, their date, their facility and their photographer, so if you are in with the photographers' you can catch brides pretty early in their planning.

Don't feel insane for not feeling ready to spend the money on advertising. While they may be great business generators, there is some risk involved.

There are free advertising options if you look for them. Since your new to having a business, I would recommend trying the free stuff first. Seearch websites for free listings. Look for more targeted advertising places. Hit the pavement with some samples, and I think indydebi may be right about the phone book and getting in with other wedding service providers. I haven't looked in the phone book in years.

Thank you everyone! ALL this information is wonderful and may I say "Priceless." You have all been a wonderful help and I will keep gettin my name out there with samples. I tried to work with a wedding planner and bridal shop owner, but they already work with someone (that is not licensed). I will just have to keep trying and soon something will happen.

Thanks again.

wait till you have more money saved up then I would go for it