Branded Freebie Items
Handing out branded free items is a great way to etch your business name into people’s memory. Purchase useful items that people will keep and look at multiple times per day. Items such as refrigerator magnets, mousepads, calendars, and key chains are all items that are seen multiple times throughout the day. If you hand out refrigerator magnets, hopefully every time potential clients open up their fridge, they will see your magnet. Next time they need services that you offer, hopefully they will think of you and give you a call. Make sure to have your logo, contact information, and web url printed out on the freebie item.
Yellow Page Ads
Although the Internet is a commonly perused resource for information people still use the good old Yellow Pages. Putting an advertisement in the Yellow Pages stating your particular freelance business and services offered is a good way to put your name out there.
Hang Up Flyers and Posters Around Town
Although it seems quite juvenile, hanging up flyers and posters in strategic locations actually works. When I started my business, I received call after call about my services. All of these calls were coming from the flyer that I hung up in my local library. It works. Some other places that you could consider hanging up your flyers or posters are supermarkets, malls, social clubs and business centers. Make sure that you are allowed to hang up your flyer before you hang it up. Most companies require a signature from the office manager before a poster or flyer can be hung up.
Local Activities and Groups Websites
Many cities and towns will have one or many websites dedicated to information about the particular town. The websites may focus on events in the area or other similar types of information. Since these websites often need to make money to stay afloat they will try to get advertisers to pay to post ads on the site. Posting your freelance job offerings on a local website such as this may also promote your business and gain new clientèle.
I’ll Scratch Your Back if You Scratch Mine
Try approaching local shops and offering your services in return for free promotion of your services. For example, if you are a muralist, offer your local pediatrician a free mural in exchange for your business cards being placed out on the front desk. If your mural is good, just think how many clients you would get from that one free mural. That free mural would pay for itself in no time. One mural could keep you busy for the rest of your career (because once you get clients, word of mouth keeps your business going).
Try Your Best to Get Interviewed by a Radio Station or Newspaper
Try to get free PR by asking local newspapers and radio stations to interview you. This free PR will bring customers left and right if it goes well.
Movie Theater Ads
Do you know those ads that run across the screen before a movie comes on at the theater? Well, those ads are paid for by local companies. Contact your local movie theater to see how much these ads run for. Maybe this would be worthwhile and bring you some business.
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