‘If you do something and don’t tell anyone about it’ feels like the marketing equivalent of “If a tree falls in the forest, but nobody is around to hear it.” Either way, you don’t really know if it happened.
Creating something new is only half of the process. You have to tell everyone and their mother that it’s there. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Three ways to promote your website/product/service/launch
One. Tell your network
Take advantage of opportunities to announce your news and include a link to your website in the announcement. Any association of which you are a member is a good place to start. Your college alumni association, your synagogue or church, your local Chamber of Commerce. The Oak Park River Forest Chamber even includes a custom eblast with membership–one per year.
Two. Take advantage of free postings
Write up a press release about your news. There are many news websites where it’s free to post, such as Patch.com. You can post your news yourself. Trade publications need content. Position your press release around the issue that you solve, not just around your business. Or write an article with insight about your industry. Be sure to include a sentence or two about you and your business at the bottom. And don’t forget a link to your website.
Three. Combine online with real-life activities
What’s better than you talking about your business? Someone else talking about it! Is there another business with whom you can partner to provide a single experience? Are there any community festivals where you can have a booth or supply a giveaway with your logo? Give people an opportunity to interact with you in person and close the deal.
Does this sound like a piece of cake? No time to do it? Gauge your time and budget and start from there. Most of these ideas are free or low cost in money to do it yourself, but they will “cost” you time.