Here's a quick tip that I've used on several occasions to get me over the direct marketing hurdles of creating a winning headline, effective ad copy, layout questions, developing a good offer, finding the best sizes, etc.
As a solo business owner, it will be up to you to perform the direct selling and marketing tasks that larger companies usually hire professional agencies to handle for them - at a usually high cost.
You will have the choice of accomplishing your advertising campaigns either in-house (meaning you will do it yourself) or by out sourcing the job.
In most cases, small solo businesses would do well to use an outside ad agency; but the reality of small business finance is that you will probably not have the budget to pay for your ad campaigns and you'll have to learn how to create your own sales letters and other marketing materials.
So, where do you go for help if you have to create your own marketing pieces but have no experience in the field?
There are many, many online resources available to the small business owner when it comes to developing ad copy, creating offers, headlines, etc.
But here's one of the very best sources that you probably haven't thought about.
Visit the local printing companies in your area.
You see, these companies end up doing the print work for all kinds of local and area businesses throughout the region.
Most will have kept an "example" file that they will be happy to share with you if they think they're going to get your printing business.
Studying the examples they offer could give you a leg-up on getting something created that is well beyond your own creative capability and financial means.
Let's say, for instance, you want to create a door hanger for your solo business that advertises what you sell to the residents of your community.
But you really have no clue how to create such a masterpiece, what it should look like, or what it should say.
Most printing companies that I've visited have files of successful door hanger campaigns that they've printed in the past for various local companies.
Be sure to ask to see all those that have been most successful for their companies.
All of a sudden, right before your very eyes, you'll have a collection of examples of other's work, including the creative pieces of professional design and marketing firms, which have been successful for the host firm.
Don't be afraid to ask the printer to point out examples of work by local professional advertising agency companies.
How much could that be worth to your company?
You do not want to copy the examples you will find. But there is certainly nothing wrong with using the ideas of other advertising campaigns in your own niche marketing.
