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Running a profitable small business in today’s world is certainly a challenge. While recent economic problems have prompted consumers to shop closer to home, the fact remains that you must still compete with larger companies for your customers’ attention. How do you go about gaining that attention? What are your options? Before you shell out big bucks for that print ad, you might be interested in some alternative choices.

What sort of alternative choices might you have in the world of marketing? What can you accomplish? You have quite a few options that will not only save you a bit of capital, but that will result in better marketing for your small business. For instance, consider purchasing giveaway items and handing them out to your customers. Promotional items can go quite a long way toward promoting your business, without adding a single cent of expense past the initial purchase price.

Take coffee mugs for instance. Whether you opt for ceramic mugs or travel mugs, you’ll find few things more popular with your customers. This gives them something they can actually use, and as your company’s logo or slogan will appear across the front of the item, it ensures that your company is always on the customer’s mind. In addition, these mugs (particularly travel mugs), can provide you with additional advertising, simply because others will see your company’s name and logo, or spot the mug and ask about it. Travel mugs are often carried out of the home, in the car, to the workplace and more. This ensures you get excellent word of mouth advertising.

Another popular option for the modern world is that of a silicone bracelet. You’ve no doubt seen these – they’re often embossed with an inspirational saying, or just a company logo. They’re used to raise awareness for charities, and for business advertising. Consider having these manufactured in a variety of colors and styles, and then offering them to your customers – place one in each bag at the checkout counter, or hand them out at the door.

Finally, you can make use of t-shirts, bumper stickers, magnets, key chains and hundreds of other promotional items. Giving your customers something they can enjoy and actually use is an excellent way to raise awareness about your company and generate word of mouth advertising, saving you some serious cash on your marketing initiatives, as well.

Darryl Mobley is CEO of the Association of Small Business Marketers and he is devoted to creating financial freedom for entrepreneurs and small businesses through the power of marketing. Darryl invites you to get the FREE Report that will increase the sales and profits of your small business, “6 Ways to Double (or Triple!) Your Sales… and Beat Competition” at http://4.TASBM.com.