SmallBusinessNewz

If you run a small business, your life is ridiculously busy.And if you have a significant other, spouse, kids or anyone else that deserves a chunk of your time, well, then your life is probably almost impossibly busy.

That doesn’t mean your business has to suffer for it. But if all you’re managing to do every day is just take care of clients, put out fires, and handle the day to day tasks of running your business, trust me, it is suffering.

Because right now, with the economy teetering on the edge of disaster, you absolutely must find time to work on marketing your business. Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t have the money to do much marketing even if I had the time…”

Here are 9 ways you can market your business for free or cheap in just a few minutes:

1 ) Get Free PR - Get access to queries from reporters all over the country who need sources and information for their articles, books, blogs and interviews. Join HARO at www.helpareporter.com at no charge, read the query lists that land in your Inbox three times a day, and respond to the ones you can genuinely help with on target information.

2 ) Say Thanks - Write a thank you card to a client, prospect who contacted you, referral source, or anyone who has helped you along the way. Everyone appreciates being appreciated, after all.

3 ) Become a Blogger - You don’t need your own blog to benefit from the power of the blogging…You just need to post comments that are interesting, relevant and helpful on other people’s blogs. Then people who read and enjoy your comments can follow a link back to your Website.

4 ) Get Networked - Online social networks are a terrific way to market in your own backyard, and beyond. A quick Google search will turn up a boatload related to every topic under the sun. Sign up for a no-cost account with one that’s related to what you do and set up your profile. I like Biznik.com, LinkedIn.com and Facebook.com for general sites. Twitter.com is also worthwhile.

5 ) Be Helpful - Many social networking sites like Biznik.com, StartUpation.com and LinkedIn.com have Q & A sections where members post and answer questions. Jump in there with helpful advice and people will want to learn more about you and what you do.

6 ) Connect - Make a point of getting in touch, and scheduling phone meetings, with interesting people you find on your social networking sites. You never know who you might meet or how they could help your business grow.

7 ) Speak and Be Heard - Start podcasting and adding the audios to your blog or Website. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is with a nifty little free service at http://www.utterli.com that lets you record your podcasts by phone. Simple!

8 ) Stay in Touch - When was the last time you called a past client or referral partner just to check in? If it’s been more than 6 months, there’s no time like the present to pick up the phone and say “Hi. How’s it goin’?”

9 ) Get Your Expertise Out There - If you regularly write articles, submit them online. Again, Biznik is a terrific place to do this. I also like ezinearticles.com and evancarmichael.com, but there are plenty more options out there. Find ones targeted at your niche and have fun.

Do have other ideas for marketing your small business inexpensively and easily? Please share by leaving a comment below!

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