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Dream Merchant • 2309 Torrance Blvd. #104, Torrance, CA 90501 (310) 328-1925 email: Jkm316@aol.com

 

Kids Kreative Korner

 

FIND A WAY TO ADVERTISE

As You Develop Your Business, You Must Discover Which Advertising Methods Will Work Best For You.

By Bonnie Drew

Paid advertising is not generally a good way for young entrepreneurs to build a business. It takes many weeks of repeating the same ad again and again in the paper before you start getting a significant response. Another drawback of paid advertising is that it covers a much larger area than you are most likely prepared to service. Don't waste your money by advertising too far away from home unless you have reliable transportation.

Talking to customers person-to-person is the best way to get a job or sell your product. However, there are other ways to get jobs.

1. Work for Your Parents--Most young entrepreneurs start out this way. Parents are the main employers of kids.

2. Get Other People to Spread the Word--Your parents or other family members can help by telling co-workers, neighbors, or relatives about your business.

3. Get a Partner--Young entrepreneurs who are shy about talking to customers find it easier with a friend along for moral support. Working with friends can be more fun, too.

4. Get Customers to Call You First--Announce your business to the community with flyers, cards, and signs. You won't hear a lot of No's because only the customers who are really interested will call.

The good news is that advertising a youth-owned business doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, the best advertising in the world is free: word-of-mouth advertising. When your happy customers tell others about your good service, your business will grow. No paid advertising can do what word-of-mouth advertising does for a business.

* Referrals--Practice looking for opportunities for word-of-mouth advertising. When a customer is pleased with your work, ask if he or she has any friends who need a similar product or service. These referrals are your hottest business leads. Follow up on them immediately, or ask your customer to call and introduce you to the friend.

* Networking--Another way to get word-of-mouth advertising is known in the business world as "networking." Networking is friends helping friends. Watch for ways to help your friends build their business, and they will soon start looking for ways to help you build your business. Working together, you can all reach your goals faster.

Whatever methods you choose, your goal should be to get the word about your business to as many people as possible in as many different ways as possible. The more times prospective customers hear or see your name, the more likely they will be to call when they need your service. 

Bonnie Drew is the author of FAST CASH FOR KIDS (2nd edition), published by Career Press (1-800-227-3371). She is also the creator of the KIDS BUSINESS software for young entrepreneurs, available from Homeland Publications (713-332-9764).

Drew is also Editor of YoungBiz online magazine, published by Kid's Way, Inc., a company that helps youth prepare for business and the workplace of the 21st century. For more information, write to Kid's Way at 5589 Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341 or call toll free 1-888-KidsWay (1-888-543-7929). YoungBiz magazine can be found at http://www.youngbiz.com

         

            

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