You've Started Your Home-Based Business

BY: MARIA HOWLETT

You've started your home-based business. Your product is unique. You are motivated and you are ready to start making some serious money as your own boss. Unfortunately, only a few people know that you are even alive. How do you find customers? Lack of effective marketing is the reason so many home-based businesses fail. Here are a few options:

1. You can call up all of your friends and tell them about your new business (if you are popular then you have enough friends for this to work!)
2. You can join networking groups and professional organizations (ie get some friends!) Don't be fooled. Even this takes time. You have to earn the groups' trust, and re-earn it every time. Networking is a must!
3. Use the media. News releases, cable TV advertising, etc.
4. Use a variety of printed materials. You can put your message on a bus (only $9 per day), you can put an ad in the paper, print flyers, drop them from door to door, tattoo it on your forehead, and take listings in various publications.
   

Whatever route you choose, plan the way that is the best for your type of business, allow yourself to make mistakes, and if you think you are on the right track, give it time!

Maria Howlett publishes The Purple Directory, a directory for home-based businesses. Visit www.purpledirect.com

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