Marketing a business can be fun, exciting and creative. It can also be very frustrating and expensive if you do not know what results they are looking for or how to evaluate cost-effective methods of marketing.

Over the years people have come to know my unique ability to develop low cost and no cost strategies to market and promote a business, product or service. Strategies that have realized incredible returns.

Some of my achievements have been:

- Before my last book was published before he sold more than $ 8,000 in books
- More than 250 people signed up at a recent seminar in less than 2 weeks and the cost to promote was under $ 25
- One company used my strategies for a discussion of race and made more than $ 180,000 in consulting fees
- One speaker sold over 23 thousand dollars in product sales back of the room in a two-hour seminar with the strategies outlined in my program

Do not share this to impress anyone, not to impress you by using the right strategies for your market, can realize some incredible results.

People have also come to know as someone who is very strict when it comes to putting systems in place. My marketing successes are a direct result of the systems have been implemented.

With a little planning, foresight, and desire, you can successfully market their business very effectively. Here are seven proven strategies that increase visibility, leads and sales.

1. Business Cards
Business cards are often one of the most underutilized tools in their own marketing.
Use the front and back of your business card to obtain full benefits. Depending on your market can bring some valuable information on the back, such as a sports schedule, emergency numbers, or special dates people want to remember.

Keep some in your wallet, your car, on your desktop, and some at home. Be sure to take with you wherever you go and be willing to give as the opportunity arises.

Creatively distribute your card. When eating out can leave one with the tip.
If you borrow a book from the library, use one as a bookmark. Hand sellers at stores that can meet other people who might use your product or service.

When someone gives you their business card, make sure to enter your information in its database. Send a note or email within 48 hours meeting to keep your name fresh in your mind.

2. Send a picture
A great way to keep your name fresh in the mind of a customer is to send a photo of when they purchased a product or service to you.

Put a photo of the car purchase from a buyer on a schedule of beauty. Probably, the proud owner of the vehicle shows the schedule for the next 365 days.

For specialty gift shops, when a client makes a major purchase, take a picture with the owner of the store. Frame the picture and send to the client.
Chances are very good the image is displayed with pride to friends and family to see.

A dentist who specializes in smile makeovers can arrange for a professional makeup artist and photographer capture the patient's beautiful new smile. Without doubt, the patient will be more than happy to show others their new look.

3. Associations
Particular associations of its market are a great resource for marketing. There are associations specific to virtually any industry or business work. A quick search on the web is likely to show how much is available.

A major opportunity within many organizations is the opportunity to network. Furthermore, to make presentations. Along with presentations come publications.
Often, when making a presentation, you will receive a mention in the association newsletter, the electronic publication and / or website.

In many cases, when an organization has a newsletter or ezine, they welcome the presenter to write a press release for them. This saves time and ensures that they often have a better chance of information making it into the publication.

You can also welcome you writing an article for publication or website.
This lends itself to the profile before submission. Also, you will be positioned as an expert and increase credibility.

Most organizations have the following opportunities that can help you gain visibility and do some very effective marketing:

-Newsletter
Internet-List
-Links to your website
-Offers advertising rates
-Networking opportunities
-Business referral services
-Special recognition events
-Education seminars
-Business and membership directories

In many cases, you must be a member of the association to take advantage of multiple marketing opportunities. In other cases, membership is not required.

4. Participation Committee
Committee participation is a great way to give back to the association or community while building visibility for you and your business. In some cases, you might even want to participate in a committee with little experience or knowledge. This will give you the opportunity to stretch and learn and interact with people who may not have otherwise had the chance to meet.

5. Contests and drawings
Contests are a favorite for many businesses such as restaurants or those with high foot traffic. Contests are a great way to build your database quickly.
Are generating hot leads when you have a dispute with people who have already attended their place of work. The key though is to back-end marketing. Too many companies have many contests, get lots of names and do nothing with them. In this case, is a complete waste of time to hold a contest.
You can advertise a contest to gain new foot traffic in their workplace.
Posts trade show are a good place to hold a contest. pre-show marketing helps to generate traffic to your booth. Invite people to stop by booth # _____ (whatever your booth is) to enter to win. Creative contests can also generate free publicity.

6. Cross-promotion
Join with other companies that have products or services that compliment yours and promote each other. Let's say you have a massage business. You could partner with a company to sell their candles candles to your massage clients. They can give coupons for your massage business. Or the candle company can partner with a gift basket company. Cross-promotion is limited only by your imagination.

This can significantly reduce the cost of business promotion and allow each business to use promotion techniques that might be too expensive to implement alone.

7. Bonds
Secure special offers several businesses that want to share a similar market to that. When a customer purchases a minimum amount you will receive a bonus package with the various offers from other vendors. This is a win-win all the way around. The visibility of other providers of profit, has more to offer clients and customers get incredible value for your purchase.

Be aware that cross-promotion and joint venture. You want someone who commits to a campaign.