MLM Directory

I need some small business advice, I am starting a small business?

I have a website and sell quality products. However I am not driving too many customers to my site. I have a lot of ideas to get customers. The problem is that I don't have the money to get this ideas rolling. I have bad credit and can not get a small business loan. How can I get the money to get my marketing ideas and plans off the drawing board? Does anyone know of free or cheap on-line marketing opportunities? Thanks in advance.

Public Comments

1. A lot of community colleges have small business centers with resources that can help you. Small towns will take risks to get business, too. Ten years ago, I got $100,000 and a building to bring a business to a small town. If it's a good idea, you've got to get it out there.
2. Go to http://www.score.org/ and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors
3. A few free resources: 1) Create a blog pertaining to your field: http://www.blogger.com 2) Use Yahoo! Local & Yahoo! Groups – Be sure to read the TOS for each one! http://local.yahoo.com/ http://groups.yahoo.com/ 3) Write articles pertaining to your field and/or expertise: http://www.ezinearticles.com 4) Advertise on Craiglist: http://www.craigslist.org Also, consider signing up for an affiliate program. These programs enable you to advertise on other's sites (your affiliates) and once a sale is made to you, your affiliates & the program are paid a commission. I listed a few handy sites & articles relating to marketing, promotion & advertising. Here are some book titles that are relevant: * 301 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Ideas: From America's Most Innovative Small Companies by Sam Decker * Off The Wall Marketing Ideas: Jumpstart Your Sales without Busting Your Budget by Nancy Michaels, Debbi J. Karpowicz * Guerrilla Marketing for Free: Dozens of No-Cost Tactics to Promote Your Business and Energize Your Profits by Jay Conrad Levinson * Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson http://www.knowthis.com/ http://marketing.about.com/ Articles: http://ezinearticles.com/?Simple,-Cheap,-and-Effective-Ways-to-Increase-Website-Traffic&id=139749 – Simple, Cheap and Effective Ways to Increase Website Traffic by Jeff Flow http://ezinearticles.com/?Seven-Inexpensive-Not-Cheap-Advertising-Tactics&id=82969 – Seven Inexpensive Not Cheap Advertising Tactics by Mary Eule http://ezinearticles.com/?Marketing-Basics&id=114832 – Marketing Basics by Matt Bacak http://ezinearticles.com/?Home-Based-Business---Offline-Marketing-Strategies&id=200865 – Offline Marketing Strategies by Jeff Casmer http://ezinearticles.com/?Internet-Marketing-Basics:--What-Worked-Years-Ago-Still-Works-Today!&id=73024 – Internet Marketing Basics…by Jack Humphrey Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
4. Business Plan for a Startup Business or Finance Applications The business plan consists of a narrative and several financial worksheets. The narrative template is the body of the business plan. The real value of creating a business plan is not in having the finished product in hand; rather, the value lies in the process of researching and thinking about your business in a systematic way. The act of planning helps you to think things through thoroughly, study and research if you are not sure of the facts, and look at your ideas critically. It takes time now, but avoids costly, perhaps disastrous, mistakes later. This business plan is a generic model suitable for all types of businesses. However, you should modify it to suit your particular circumstances. You will be judged by the quality and appearance of your work as well as by your ideas. Here are the headings to consider: Table of Contents. Executive Summary. General Company Description. Products and Services. Marketing Plan. Operational Plan Management and Organisation. Personal Financial Statement Startup Expenses and Capitalisation. Financial Plan Appendices Refining the Plan