How to find cheap ways to advertise

1. Online Business Directories
   A lot of small business owners moan about online business directories taking up the top positions of the search engines, rather than joining in with this moaning, the smart small business owner takes advantage of these directories to gain the positions they would have to pay a good optimiser to achieve for them.
   Register in UK Small Business Directory.
   
   
2. Local Magazines
   We all get them, the free monthly pamphlets through the door from the local parish council, local publisher or local entrepeneur who tries to sell advertising space in their new local directory. Think about it though, how often do you use it if you want to find a local service? personally, it's about the first place I look and more often than not the advertising rates are dirt cheap.
   
   
3. Stylish Business Cards
   I was once told the most expensive business card you can get is a free one! Why risk the chance of losing that big order because your business cards are poor quality and don't reflect the service you provide?.
   Suppliers of Business Cards.
   
   
4. Branded Merchandise
   Everyone likes a freebie, you know your pens are going to go walkabout anyway, so why not get your name and logo on them so that at least you get a bit of benefit from the fact they are out there? The same goes for other nicnacks, make your client a coffee, leave him to his thoughts but have your UPS on the mug he's drinking from, you never know, it might just stick in his mind when he makes the decision you're waiting for..
   Suppliers of Promotional Merchandise.
   
   
5. Local Noticeboards
   Have you seen your local noticeboard recently? chances are a lot of people have and for the sake of 4 drawing pins, sore thumbs for an hour, you can get your message to these people.
   
   
6. Leaflet Distribution
   On a par with local magazines except this time you have total control of the content. You also have the benefit of gaining a bit of fresh air, exercise and getting your face (and business) known in your locality. Go on, give it a go, get some nice flyers printed, get your tracksuit on and have a nice brisk walk around your local estate.
   Leaflet Distribution companies.
   
   
7. Sponsor Local Events
   Got a local team who needs assistance, a kiddies playground which needs a bit of new equipment, an annual event that needs a good raffle prize. Make yourself popular, feel good about yourself and gain a bit of cheap advertising all at the same time.
   
   
8. Article Writing
   You don't have to be a great writer, you don't need to spend a lot of time, you don't even have to see it as work. The articles on this page are a perfect example, the kids have gone to bed, there's nothing on the telly, don't feel like the pub tonight so let's just patter away on the keyboard as though your'e waffling to a mate. The more you write, the easier it becomes, and soon you have a page full of content. And as we all know, a website needs content.
   Publish your articles.
   
   
9. Viral Marketing
   Listening to the radio the other day I heard someone talking about the fact they were going to buy their kids some hens for christmas, it was just the inspiration I needed to create my A Hen is for Christmas website. One week later it had received close to 3000 visitors.
   
   
10. Search Engine Optimisation
    Avoid the rogues and snake oil salesmen which have come out of the woodwork in recent years, get yourself a good local SEO enthusiast and work with him, as long as you have a good relationship, are fair and don't treat him as an employee, you can get great benefits. There are loads of geeks and young kids out there who still see search engine optimisation as a game, let them play and build up your sites popularity at the same time.
    Search Engine Optimisation.