Advertising ideas

There are so many ways to advertise your business.  On the internet you can advertise through Twitter, Facebook, your own webpage, a blog, Myspace, Craigslist and a lot of other sites.  Link these internet sites together so that there are multiple ways to find you on the web.

You can make your own free QR (quick response) code which you can print out and place on your cars, in your store windows, on business cards, in advertising, even on kiosks (if you live in a city that has kiosks in public areas). These codes are just beginning to become popular in the USA but have been around and used for awhile in Japan and through-out the United Kingdom.  With your QR code you can write what ever you want to get your store noticed.  We included our blog, Facebook page, Etsy page etc. on our QR code below.  Keep in mind that only android and iPhones can read these codes.  We used http://www.qurify.com/en/ to make ours'.  To be able to read the code, download a free bar code scanner app for your phone.  Click on the bar code scanner app, hold your phone's camera towards the QR and your phone will be able to read it.

Newspaper advertisements are still viable forms of advertising.  These ads can get quite expense, depending on color or b & w, day of the week, and columns used.  Some newspapers offer sales on ads which can be excellent for anyone on a tight budget.  It is good to know the amount of readership for the paper you intend to advertise in.  Circulation numbers are very important to advertising.  Don't spend a lot of money on an add that won't be seen!  You will notice that once your store is up and running, you will probably get newspaper salesmen (along with other salesmen) stopping by your shop trying to get you to buy advertising.  Actually, sometimes you can get a good deal, for example; when a holiday is approaching, you can join in on a group ad that features many businesses in your own local area.  HINT: It is advised to put a highly visible "no soliciting" sign visible on the door of your store.  

Magazine and other periodical advertisements can work well for certain businesses, too.  A stained glass store (or other like businesses) ad could fit quite well in a local magazine where real estate and/or local artists are featured.  You will find smaller magazines that feature your city, or a nearby tourist destination work quite well.  

Last, but not least, don't forget to get your business in the yellow pages!  

You must advertise your store to get it noticed and getting new customers in the door.  With the internet you can advertise for free!