Consider Co-Operative Advertising

For many small businesses funding an advertising campaign can be difficult. How can co-operative advertising help?

Getting your name out there can be difficult especially when budget constraints restrict your marketing efforts. One strategy is to split the costs of print ads or web ads with the bigger manufacturers and vendors you deal with. This form of co-op advertising is very popular and one example of such advertising can be seen in the watch industry, where you'll often see a glossy ad for a high-priced watch with a list of local jewellery stores along the bottom of the ad. The manufacturer and the retailers benefit by splitting the cost of the ad.
To start your co-operative advertising just find out if your vendors or suppliers are involved in advertising that you could piggyback on. If not, call the person in charge of sales or marketing to see if they might be willing to split the costs of a joint advertising campaign. You might also consider sharing a stand at a trade show to save costs.

Radio advertising is often more cost effective than print or television commercials, and buying time on local stations can be a good way to reach retail customers. If you are promoting a web site, you also have the option of using a banner exchange system.
The most important part of any advertising should involve the carefully research of your market. Make sure you target a particular audience and set up a system to track your success. Consider cross-marketing your business with other compatible businesses. For example, if you sell shoes, team up with a clothing store to offer customers discounts on clothes and shoes for the season.