Advertising and Marketing Options for Small Business Owners

Advertising and Marketing Possibilities

Business and marketing is a fundamental part of life.  Being a visual artist, teacher, photographer, writer and art therapist working on my own small business I rely on the possibilities of advertising and marketing. Networking is essential for small business owner who need incoming revenue to support their services or products. Researching all of your target potential for each possible option and developing a strategy is not something that should be taken lightly. There are many resources out there, and some are more cost effective than others all depending on your business.

Fund-raising and Printable Coupons

Explore and discover such as I did while starting my own business that there are many effective, annoying and inspiring ways to attract customers. There are fund-raising contribution that can prove to be very time consuming. There are even printable coupons that you can offer to people to get your services out there. Looking for the most reachable with the lowest cost is the ideal objective. There are various online strategies that can be time consuming and take a lot of knowledge. The effective methods are also constantly changing. This is not a simple strategy solution for the DIY small business. The digital media outcomes are constantly changing and you need to be up to date on all aspects or it will not be a successful choice.  Google is constantly in a state of change and it’s difficult to become on the first page.   Do charity project work and help promote yourself as well.   I tried helping out in a project called Paint for Bangladesh which is a great cause and also improves my online presence and gives me something to write about.

Radio Advertising Option

Think of all possibilities.  They don’t all have to be innovative and new.  There is also radio advertising as a possible solution. Print advertising is another choice and some consider it to be old school. These options should both be considered because they may be cost effective depending on your target. Have a good media strategy. It is imperative to a successful small business. There are many things to consider and a plan is necessary. I have decided with my small business and knowledge that I will take the online route. I want my services to be searched for on line. I realize that strong links are important and I decided to pay a digital media agency a small fee to do this for me. I appreciate the option of online marketing and what I can contribute to it as well.    Think about what your mandate is and what you want your brand to be.  Help out others along the way.  My advice to other small business owners whether it’s part time or full time, think rationally and consider all of your options. Let’s explore the right side of the brain, but don’t forget the left side as well.

Seeing Other Perspectives With Photo Contests

Four New Photo Contests with Lenzr:

Best Cottage Moments, Weather the Storm, Shiny Metal Surfaces, What’s in the Fridge

Photography holds a lot value.  The power to tell a story through your image.  The ability for the viewers to see through the eyes of others and gain different perspectives.  Photography also holds an expressive quality that speaks for itself.  We often look at photos and are emotionally moved in some way.  Perhaps we aren’t but the person who took the pictures was moved by the experience.  The photographer is expressing themselves metaphorically in ways they couldn’t perhaps do verbally.

The Weather the Storm photo contest is stirring it up.  Tornado Chasers will love this photo challenge, bring your camera with you next time.  Lenzr doesn’t want you to risk your life for a good photo but you if you can capture those stormy skies.  But they do expect an expressive form of photography will be apparent in these pics. Use you fast shutter speed to get a quick click of the lightening strike past your window.  You photography skills and confidence will definitely increase.  We all experience some kind of storm such as rain, snow, hail or strong and gusty winds.  The best photo recipient is going to have a new Sony digital camera with a 16.1 megapixel, and sweep panorama mode and an optical steady shot image feature as well as many more functions.  The commercial roofing company who takes pleasure in photography is providing help with this contest prize.  Where would we be without something over our heads during a large storm?  

I like the Best Cottage Moments photo contest.  A photo contest that allows me to think of summer time with family and friends up north away from the city life is worth while.  I have images in my head of slowing down and reevaluating what is important in life and living in the moment.  Some people have family real estate of cabins passed down that may have been captured digitally to enter this contest.  Don’t forget the wildlife of beavers crossing the lake, bears, moose, loons, or moments of human connection of a food fight in the cabin.   Grandpa sitting in his muskoka chair on the dock admiring the sunset would be another great moment to capture with film.  The water sports are definitely a part of cottage life, like wake boarding or swinging into the lake?   The Sony Cyber-shot H70 digital camera is the prize for the winner with the best picture with support from an amazing Muskoka Cottage.  Share these memories that you may treasure forever.

What’s In Your Fridge contest is unique photo challenge.  Who doesn’t love food or have a fascination for the kitchen?   Take pictures that might make your Nutritionists proud or perhaps ashamed.  Give your hard working fridge some attention with the camera.   Negotiate with your fridge which are the best subjects inside.  Explore with the lighting and different perspectives. Photographers have travelled the world to taking photos of average world food consumption of families in different countries before.  The consumption comparisons can sent a strong message.   Use your imagination when opening the fridge with your camera.  Capture objects in your fridge that would be great compositions such as your mustard and ketchup snuggled together.  It’s a good opportunity to explore this potential of healthy verses not.  The decision will be made by the judges and the win is 500 dollars worth of groceries thanks to the sponsors who like printable coupons and sharing deals online in your favourite places. 

Shiny Metal Surfaces is another Lenzr photo contest.  An excellent challenge already with great photos to check out. A great chance to use your photography skills to explore metal qualities.  The ordinary metal we  see every day can look so different if given the attention it deserves.   Capture the idea that metal is more than just functional.  Use images of cutlery, chains, locks and bolts. A Sony Cyber-shot that has many great functions 10 x optical zoom lens and HD movie mode is the prize.  The people who are known for their metal panels has helped provide this contest prize.

Artists need to continually challenge themselves and set new goals.  Thanks to Lenzr, they realize this and have spread the spring cheer.  The photo objectives have deadlines for May 25, 2011.  Make a plan and implement it with your camera.  Submissions have already started for free.