Things I use to run and promote my business

[townneckmowing]

I would like to share some of the things I use to run and promote my business.
Most of the things I use are free.

Advertising-
-Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/townneckmowing
-Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Town-...ing/1384458299
-Yola.com: Make a website,It does not cost a lot(I pay $20.00 a year and I maintain it myself).
-Blogspot.com: Make a blog (It's Free).
-Google Local Business Center: Gets your website on Google.(Free)
-Yahoo Search Marketing: Get your website on Yahoo.(Free)
-Hotfrog.com: Free Listing
-Stumblehere.com: Free Listing
-Kijiji.com: Free Listing
-Find a local web site...On Cape Cod we have capecod.com and you can list your business for free.

Printing-
-Vistaprint.com: Business Cards
-123print.com: Business Cards
-Buildasign.com: Truck Signs

Misc.-
-Youmail.com: Voice Mail for your business phone(It's Free)
-Express Invoice: www.nchsoftware.com/invoice/index.html (Free version)You can e-mail invoices to customers.
-Paint.Net: I make flyers and Ads with this program(It's Free)

Know the Weather-
-radar.weather.gov/Conus/full_lite_loop.php: Radar Loop(website)
-http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx: Radar Loop(website)
-http://www.ambientweather.com/weex1.html(Free Program)

Post flyers and business cards at Post Offices,Grocery Stores,Banks,Hardware Stores.Most of them have bulletin boards.

I do have a listing in the local phone book but that does cost $$.
Get a P.O. Box.
Get a cell phone just for your business,don't use your personal cell phone or home phone.

This will be my 3rd summer doing this and I have around 20 customers and all ready signed up some more just last week.

Hope this helps

Edward Gilmartin
Town Neck Mowing
P.O. Box 201
Sandwich,Ma.02563
508-685-4527
tnmlc@gmx.com
www.townneckmowing.com

[Steve]

Hi Edward,

Great post.

How important have you found social networking to be? Do you find yourself handing out business cards to people you meet around town?

Do you do things to work with your community?

[townneckmowing]

Hi Steve,
Social networking is a great thing. I find Facebook better then Myspace but I use both. I have a few customers as friends on Facebook. I think more people see you on Facebook. The best thing about social networks...It's free. If you are not on Facebook yet give it a shot, you have nothing to lose.

Always have business cards on hand, you never now when you are going to need them.

My wife has started the Charles R. Foley Jr. Gilmartin Foundation named after our son Charles R. Foley Jr. He passed away last Nov. after fighting brain cancer for 4 1/2 years. It's a foundation to help out families when a child has cancer,with food cards, gas cards, ect. And if they need some help with the lawn, I can help out with that free of charge.

Here is the link- http://charlesrfoleyjrgilmartinfoundation.com