Today, there are more options for marketing your business than ever. Unfortunately, this often causes confusion and stagnation. Don't let Twitter, Facebook, Google Ads, or other online "opportunities" distract you from supporting the most effective (and basic) marketing strategies.
Know your Market
You must first define Your target market. The more you know about your prospects the easier they will be to reach.
Publicize
A strategic public relations campaign is the most cost effective way to increase visibility and expand your reach. Develop and continually build your media list and send them a press release once a month.
Advertise
Place ads where your target market will see them, not necessarily where a convincing media sales person says you should.
Mine Your Past Customers
Your current customer is your best prospect. Keeping that customer returning to your company is seven times less expensive than attracting a new one. Develop an enduring relationship with your customers by publishing an e-newsletter, mailing postcards, hosting events, and using e-surveys.
Build Your Prospect List
Utilize every opportunity to get contact information from customers and prospects. Do this at your place of business, at shows, on your website, in your e-newsletters, and at networking events. Offer incentives for signing up for your mailings.
Network
Make sure everyone you come in contact with knows what you do and ask them all to help you spread the word about your business. Always carry (and hand-out!) business cards.
Web Presence
You simply must have a web site these days. Basic sites are easy to develop and inexpensive to host online. If you can't afford to hire a webmaster, use one of the services that offers easy-to-use templates and reasonable costs. Hosting can cost as little as $95 a year!
Printed Materials
These days the cost to print beautiful full color promotional materials is so reasonable that practically anyone can afford to distribute professional postcards, rack cards, flyers and brochures.
Remember: Consistent effort is the key to success
Effective marketing is consistent. You must continually be thinking about, and working on your strategy. It can be time consuming, but the effort will pay off.
This is a summary of a more detailed article that ran in the Newport County Chamber of Commerce Business Journal. Email me for a copy of the complete text.
I work with no more than 6 clients at a time, so you will receive my wholehearted attention.
received an All-Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online survey tools for small organizations. Leslie Lindeman was selected for meeting Constant Contact's best-practice standards for the use of Email Marketing throughout 2009. 
Kick Butt Marketing