Starting Small part 5 and 6

The final episodes are here
"A business without proper marketing is doomed" here are super ideas on how to market your business
Marketing your business
1.Get a website. If you're selling online, get
your e-commerce in gear and either build a
website, or have one built for you. It's your
storefront, so anything and everything you can do
to make people want to visit, and want to stay, do
it.
Alternatively, if your business is more oriented
toward the "in person" experience, traditional
marketing may be just as important. For
example, if you're starting a landscaping
business, focus on getting the word out to
neighbours before starting a website
When making a website keep in mind that
simplicity and clarity are key. A simple design
that clearly states what you do, how you do it,
and what you charge is most effective. When
making your website, remember to emphasize
why your business is the best solution to a
clients problem.

2.Hire professional designers. If you do decide
to get a website, make sure it looks
professional. Designers may cost more initially,
but a well presented and trustworthy site is
essential. It needs to look professional and work
with ease. If you are including money
transactions, invest in security encryption and
check that your money transfer companies are
sound and reliable.

3.Discover your inner publicist. You might
truly believe in your product or service, but in
order for it to be successful, everyone else must
believe in it too. If you're new to advertising and
marketing or you dislike doing the sales pitch,
now is the time to overcome such feelings and put
on the publicist persona. You need to develop an
excellent short pitch to convince people they need
your product or service, one that reflects the
value, purpose and potential of what your
business is offering. Write down this pitch in
many ways until you find one that you feel
satisfied says it all and is something you can say
readily. Then practice it like crazy!
Depending on your business, it could be
appropriate to have interesting, eye-catching
business cards printed.

4.Spend time developing an excellent social
media presence. This can be done well
before the business is ready, increasing
anticipation. Use Facebook, Google+ and Twitter,
and any other social media you participate in to
build excitement and spread the word. You want
to build a buzz so that people will begin following
your progress. (Be sure to choose business
accounts for your business and keep your
personal accounts separate. The messages you
send should be tailored differently, depending on
which account you're sending from.)

5.Implement your marketing and
distribution plans. With your product being
built or services developed, and a reasonable
expectation on when either is ready for selling,
begin marketing.
If you will be advertising in periodicals, they
will need copy or images at least two months
in advance of publication.
If you will be selling in stores, get pre-orders
sold, and shelf space allocated. If you will be
selling online, get that e-commerce site ready
to sell.
If you're offering a service, advertise in
appropriate trade and professional journals,
newspapers and online.

Part 6
Launch your business

1.Secure space. Whether it's an office, or a
warehouse, if you need more space than your
garage or your spare bedroom, now's the time to
get that.
If you don't generally need an office beyond
your home, but may occasionally need
meeting space, there are often places that can
address those needs. A quick Google search
on "business meeting rentals [your city/state]"
will deliver plenty of rental options in your
area.
Be sure to contact your local municipality
about zoning laws. Some types of small
businesses cannot be ran out of a home, and
it is important to ensure your business is
operating within its proper zone.
2.Launch your product or your service. When
the product is all built, packaged, coded,
online, and ready to sell, or when your services
are fully worked out and ready to go, hold a
special event to launch your business. Send out a
press release, announce it to the world. Tweet it,
Facebook it, let the word resound to all corners of
your market—you have a new business!
Hold a party and invite people who can spread
the word for you. It doesn't need to be
pricey––purchase the food and drink from
bulk discount stores and get family and
friends to help with catering (you can give
them a product or service in return).
 We hope you learnt so much from this series.