Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Here`s at least a starting point, for free and low-cost printing; business cards, post cards, etc:

VistaPrint - Free Business Cards

Do you have a Web site? List it in your profile, and use it in your SuN signature. Google apparenlty crawls this site regularly, and you`ll stand a chance of being picked up. Put the site, and what you sell in your signature. :-)

I`m sure others have lots of ideas to help.

My idea I`m hot to try is called SmartLink. It`s where you crosslink yourself to either your own multiple product sites or Collaborate with other entrepreneurs for success through linking to each other. Sure beats the high cost of traffic generation. So, you have candles + other gifts. There`s MoonStruckCandle and there`s MOSAICandle and there`s gift shops like my yet to be realized PortalGiftShop. Just network for the best linking option. I really like the combo sites that exclusively link to each other so that the customers stay within the same company as they shop. It`s tricky, but it can be done. You think I`m not on the same page? Try Lingerie,Candles,Chocolates,BodyPaint,Jewelry,Flowers. Ahhh....That`s the ticket. Make this a Christmas she`ll remember. Be a part of the new market philosophy. Join our thread for all things SUNatural. OneBusinessOneMarket.

http://www.startupnation.com/pages/community/forum_posts.asp ?TID=2074

No matter what your marketing budget, you will find someone willing to link for maximum profit. I guarantee. Hope this helps. ~daniel~

Consider signing up with online business directories - many of which offer free listing services. You`ll appear lower on the list of course, but it may bring you some additional traffic, and if the directory has a high pagerank that will help you in the search engine ranking department as well.

I would not recommend VistaPrint. The quality (in the orders we`ve placed with them) was unacceptably low. Yes you can get "free" business cards with them, but they look terribly amateurish and include advertising for VistaPrint on each one. Maybe they`ve improved since we sampled their services, but my own personal experience with them has not been good.

Running a design business, I`ve tried dozens of print shops, and have trade&brokerage accounts with a few of the better ones. Feel free to drop me a line if you`re interested in a specific item.

You might also want to consider starting a "blog" on your website (I`m assuming you have a website). Fill it with interesting news, articles and resources, then get the link out there. It`s a great way of attracting your target market... they come for the interesting information, and hopefully stick around to check out the items you sell.

Free local classifieds and newsgroups are also a good method if you don`t have a website - most major cities have at least a few.

Reciprocal linking is fine, but it doesn`t have the effect it once did. And a reciprocal link with a poorly rated site can actually hurt your marketing efforts. So be careful who you trade links with - besides, do you really want your competitors advertising on your website?

Best of luck,
Chanie


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Sage Media :: Full Service Graphic Design Firm    |   Portfolio     |   Blog

I highly recommend PrintingForLess.com.  They are very professional, have been praised with countless business awards (including Inc. 500, and Forbes).  Their prices are great and they`re great to work with. 

You can use Referral Code: RP17CMR9Y in the Promotional Code field to get $25 off your first order.  (I think I get some kickback from that...maybe not.)  If you prefer, just go to their website and order.  I`ve used them and I think they`re great.  

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Ryan J StarPointe Marketing Website Development, Hosting & Marketing Consulting

Hi All

I`m in the middle of putting together a small business networking event in my community Brooklyn NY. Where small business owners will be able to get together and listen from expert how they started their business in terms of sales, marketing etc.

I`m looking for a speaker (willing to pay in budget) that has experience in marketing and is willing to speak at this event.

Anyone that could help me with this is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Meny

 

Hello Meny,

I the founder/CEO of Miser Advertising and Marketing, a virtual marketing consulting firm with a networked advertising and marketing agency.  I have been around marketing for going on five years now and have a MBA to back up my ideas.  I focus mainly on small- to medium-sized businesses, since that is the realm with the most passion and dedication. I have few ideas that could be turned into presentations that would help these business owners to think about how their operations is tied into their marketing.  Or visit http://www.miserad.com for more information.

Please let me know if this is an idea that you would like to pursue.  I would really like to discuss this forum further with you.

Thanks,

Paul Miser, MBA

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Paul Miser, MBA
Miser Advertising and Marketing
Intensify. Market. Grow!
www.MiserAd.com
MiserAd Blog
Email Me

please send me an email with your info.

Hi Meiser/Meny,

I am in my marketing phase right now and ran across something new even though I`ve been working on this thing for thirty years. I got a copyright on my invention/sculpture in 1974 and just the other day read some of the things on the awarded copyright. It turnes out that I was awarded an unpublished copyright. If I now go forward with publishing the sculpture/ invention I must apply for a published copyright. Just thought you might want to Know.

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WESTNOVA

I agree that business cards are great marketing tools, but I prefer http://www.printsmadeeasy.com for my business cards. If anyone is interested, you can use this Promotional Coupon Code to get 15% off your first purchase: CLC5123