Marketing & Promoting ideas anyone?

[Emma]

Im 18 and i have just opened up a little shop in my town for the young adult generation providing affordable clothing, accessories and bags. I have done a lot of advertising and promoting on facebook which has worked a treat and drummed up a lot of customer, however I still feel that there is A LOT more people out there who will benefit from my shop. No point going to new look to get a bodycon skirt for £16 when i sell for £7.50 .. but how do I tell them all?? I have contacted the local papers but I just cannot afford the 3 figure amount quoted to put in a little box ... thanks for reading! Emma x

[Cody]

yes!

[TC]

The local paper and/or radio may do a feature on you - free advertising! They will want 'an angle' - your age is the obvious one - 'young entrepreneur sets up in business' type headline. Try and find out who the 'features editor' is and try and see them/phone them or last resort write to them. If you have an 'open day' or (re) launch day more the better as you can also invite local big wigs that the paper will want to photo - they'll want to be photoed and raises your profile even more (put on a bit of a buffet - everyone likes a free lunch and its an offset expense to the buisiness. All low cost and not too much work. Good luck with your business!

[Steve]

You could improve your publicity by using a copywriter to write marketing letters, press releases etc.

My company used a copywriter for our Christmas promotional campaign and we were very pleased.

They were: http://www.top-words.com

[robert m]

TC's idea of doing events is a good one and will get people along to your shop and then you can use that buzz to generate more PR - if the papers won't come along just get some good photos and do some copy yourself and send that to them wrap it up as a press release.

Try and get connected to local groups and maybe get to speak at forums or WI events etc - its amazing how much word-mouth that can generate.

See if you can do any cross promotion - maybe local hairdressers or other boutique shops (think interior designers etc) can direct people your way if you do the same.