7 Creative Ways to Advertise your Direct Sales Business Locally
Growing your direct sales business locally can be a challenge if you’re afraid of approaching people. It’s hard for some of us to “cold call” and it’s even harder for us to walk up to someone and start talking about our business.
When you take the time to creatively advertise your business, though, you’ll find it’s not that hard to talk to people. You just need to have fun and not consider it working. Try these ideas and see if you don’t have more fun marketing your business this way.
1. Sample packs
Creating sample packs and giving them away is a great way to put your business out there in front of people. Include a sample of your own and ask other consultants and business owners to provide samples to include. Be sure to add your contact information on your sample so they know where to purchase the product. Include a brightly colored flyer or brochure. When you use a bright color like yellow or florescent green, your flyer will stand out and attract attention.
2. Balloons
Kids love balloons and they’re inexpensive. In the summer, kids are often outside playing. They love to go to the park and other places. Tie your business card to the string on a balloon and give the balloons to kids you meet. Ask them to the cards to their moms or dads and keep the balloons. Give these away while walking through the park, at the mall or a shopping center, or at a daycare.
3. Magnets
Put magnets on your car while you’re parked at the grocery store, mall, or work. Put a note on your car giving people permission to take a magnet. Put a balloon on the back of your car so you draw attention. Be sure people have easy access.
4. Contests
Create flyers for your contest and hand them out. Set a date for the contest and on that date draw a winner. Have people sign up for your newsletter list, send you an email, or call you so you’ll know who wants to have their name entered in the drawing.
5. Goodie bags
Create a small goodie bag and take them to your local daycare center. Include a pencil, notepad, small toy for a child, and your business card. Call the daycare center and explain what you want to do. Ask them how many children they have so you’re able to make enough for everyone.
6. Calendars
Create a business card size calendar from an online store and hand them out. People like calendars that they can place on a refrigerator or file cabinet. You might also consider a full size calendar that can be hung on the wall or a purse size calendar. Consider your options and go with what fits your budget.
7. New movers pack
Create a packet that you can give to new renters in your apartment building or home owners who are moving into your neighborhood. You can use these with homes that are for sale. As long as they don’t have a “do not solicit” sign on the door, you can place this bag on the door handle.
Owning your own direct sales business is a great way to earn extra money or to pay the bills each month. When you use creative ways to advertise your business, you’ll feel like working it more because it won’t be a chore or even a challenge.
Brainstorm ideas you can use and write them down so you’ll remember them later on. Then note which ones work and which ones don’t so you aren’t wasting time on the latter and you’re on your way to building a profitable direct sales business.
10 Ways to Market your Direct Sales Business Online
Marketing your direct sales business is the only way it will grow. But there are so many different ways you can market your business both online and offline that it’s a cinch to do–and without a lot of expense or time. The best thing to do is find what works for you and stick with it.
Here are just a few of the many ways you can market your direct sales business on the Internet.
1. Parties
Online parties are a great way to showcase your products and talk about all the opportunities you have to offer. These parties are held in a chatroom and you can use a microphone or your keyboard.
2. Banners and buttons
Some Websites offer banner and button advertising. This is a great way for you to advertise your business to people that may not otherwise see your website. These types of ads are pictures and are linked to your site. So you have the ability to say what you want and link to whatever page you choose.
3. Solo ads
Solo ads are text ads that are sent to a large number of people at one time. Most of these ads are sent to Yahoo, MSN, or Google groups. Some businesses also offer this type of service using their email lists. The number of people who will receive your ads can range from 50 to thousands.
4. Signature line
A signature line is what is below the name you type at the end of the email or forum post. you’ll want to make sure you use your link and a 5-7 word sentence that will make a person reading it want to see what you have to offer. If you offer a free sample product include that in your signature line and tell them what to do to get that product.
5. Forums
Forums are message boards that are interactive. People post questions, things they’ve read, and other things to forums. This is a great way to network, share your business with others, and use your signature line.
6. Special reports
Special reports are a great way to give something away while advertising your business at the same time. No matter what type of direct sales business you run, you can create a special report that will help your target market and show them why they should use your products.
7. Ebooks
Ebooks are another way to place your direct sales business in front of others. No matter what type of products you offer, an ebook can help. Show them how to use your products in ways they may never have thought. Show your readers why your products are better than your competition. You can also show your readers how to do things with your products. Be creative and come up with anything and everything so your book is full of great and valuable content.
8. Teleseminars
Telseminars are a great way to teach others about a certain thing. When you use teleseminars to grow your direct sales business you will be able to show your attendees that you offer the best and that you are here to help them in every way possible. You can use these to show people why they should join your business or you can show them how to take care of your products so they will last for a long time.
9. Videos
Create videos that show your target market certain things about your products. Then upload these to YouTube and share them with others. Include it in your signature line and in your ads. People like to watch things on video so this is a great tool to use to increase your business online.
10. Social Media
Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are valuable tools to use when you are growing your direct sales business. Social networking is easy to do, but often times it’s not done correctly. You need to interact with others and help them by offering tips and suggestions. don’t only post links to your site and ads for your business.
Marketing your business online is a great way to expand into cities and states that you might not every be able to reason otherwise. The Internet is full of opportunities. All you have to do is search, ask around, and look at what others are doing and learn from them.
