My business guides are full of techniques to obtain free advertising. Honestly speaking, I’ve used all the methods I suggest for years with great success. But sometimes even an “Old Dog” can learn a new trick.
I should mention that a few months ago I moved and now live in a rather large 55 and over community. I decided to work my business part-time and spend more time with the grand kids. So as I always suggest, I bought the least expensive means of advertising in the community’s monthly mailer just to get started. I printed up a flyer and I had it inserted into the mailer which goes to each home. So that part really can’t be called “Free Advertising”, but it led me to even a better source of advertising.
I quickly got enough jobs to pay for the ad so after a couple days I was in “profit.” But this is when I found a new trick.
Years ago I gave up on using door hangers or placing flyers in the doors of neighbors. I’m not saying that doesn’t work in some areas, just not for me. But as I was working on local homes, I noticed neighbors driving by slowing down to read my simple magnetic sign on my truck. Some even stopped and wrote down the phone number but most just drove off after reading. I realized I was wasting a great opportunity here.
I bought a plastic information holder of the type that real estate agents place at curbside of their listings. The boxes are transparent plastic and weather proof. Then I printed up about 25 flyers describing my services. I stopped parking in driveways and always park in the street. I hang the advertising box from my driver’s side window with a paint bucket holder and place a big note on the box reading “Take One”. I also randomly scatter 3 to 5 magnetic business cards just below the window on the door of my truck.
As you might expect, the higher traffic areas generate more interest then dead end streets but I’ve been able to get entire streets calling me for work. Closed community residents like to deal with someone they know their neighbors are already using. The key to this is approaching any secure community in your business area and asking to advertise in their newsletter. Your only cost is the initial cost of the plastic box, you can get a supply of magnetic business cards for free if you read my business guides. Then use your printer or a copy machine to run off some brochures.
I expect this would work well in just about any neighborhood. Especially when working on busier streets. Try it out and let me know the results.
Doc has been working in various areas of home maintenance for over 40 years now. He has business start-up guides for the carpet cleaning, power washing and house painting businesses and more. Learn to be profitable working a "real" business from your home.
