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Originally Posted by McheleM  Do the vista print. They have cute designs. And the first 250 is free, all you pay is shipping.
That's how we started with our business cards, but moved up to a local business when we designed our own logo. We got 90% of our business by word of mouth the first 2 years. Offer a referral discount or something. When a customer calls and says "I got your name from my friend, Xxxxx," I send Xxxxxx a small gift card to chilis or a restaurant in their area. 10.00 is money well spent as a thank you, and we have customers who refer 10-12 other customers a year!!
Social media is your friend. Facebook, twitter, Instagram.... The more things you have with your business name in it, the better off you'll be in searches. Get a DBA and register with the BBB. Look into Angie's list.
See if some of the local pet stores will let you put up flyers or business cards. Also the groomers, and sewing shoppes, alteration stores, etc. You never know.
Joann's gives out my business card when someone inquires about sewing or quilting. (Of course I work there) |
I agree with the referrals, but I would not send a gift card to another business if it were me. I would send a gift certificate for your own business, that way it's no money out of pocket for you, and also, if they do use it, you get more orders. If you send a GC to say Chili's, you have to pay for it out of pocket, and when they use it, you get nothing. When we have repeat customers, we offer them a free gift. Since we buy our inventory at wholesale, we are actually paying less out of pocket, but the customer thinks what they are getting is valued at retail price.
Social media I also agree. Claim all the platforms with your business name. Have your Twitter set up so that whenever you post on Fb it goes automatically to Twitter. I did that. so I don't even have to use Twitter. I don't like it and frankly I don't really get it. It's like legal spam to me.