Are you having trouble coming up with creative and unique ways to advertise your business?

Here are some great ideas for you:

1. Magnetic Signs

You see a lot of cars on the road. Some are noticeable and some aren’t. Why not be noticed with a magnetic sign? You’d be amazed by your increased exposure.

Most people’s first objection is, “I don’t want my nice car to look bad with an ad on it.” but that’s not what they mean. What they really mean is, “I don’t want to be embarrassed when I pick up my girl/boyfriend.” and that’s no problem! It’s a magnetic sign. You can pull it off and shove it under your seat if you don’t want your friends to see it.

The best part about it is that you can get simple 12″X24″ signs with color from $25 - $50 online and have it on your car in a day or two!

2. Vehicle Wraps

If you have a vehicle fleet, getting a partial or full vehicle wrap can be a great advertising benefit. Vans are especially good because of their tall, flat, and often windowless sides.

Partial wraps can be found as low as a few hundred dollars, but a full wrap can easily cost one to three thousand dollars. Is is worth it? If you have a fleet of vehicles…absolutely.

3. On the back of receipts

Do you get those receipts from the local grocery store, pharmacy, gas station, and even McDonald’s with ads and coupons on the back? Why haven’t you put your business on there yet? It works best if you have an amazing discount or coupon to offer, but any kind of advertising is good advertising. Even if someone doesn’t call you, you’ve still accomplished something by putting your name and logo in front of them. Next time they see an ad, they’ll think, “I’ve heard of them before!” which is exactly what you want.

That person is much more likely to buy from you now that they have the feeling that you’ve been around a while and are an established business.

4. Bandit Signs

Those signs that the city puts up that say, “Posting signs on city property is a crime.” are almost always referring directly to bandit signs. You can buy these small (usually plastic) signs with wire stands that you just stick in the ground for almost nothing. We’re talking about mere pennies per ad.

First, let me say, I don’t support or condone breaking any laws or ordinances. If the local authorities say it’s illegal, then follow their rules. However, for those that are going to do it anyway, be respectful. Don’t post on other people’s property. Don’t stick them in your neighbor’s yard. Don’t stick them in front of your competition’s office. Look for abandoned, wooded, or other places where it is highly unlikely that someone will complain about it. That way, it will at least take longer before you get caught, fined, and taken to the gallows.

5. Gas pumps

It may not be the best way to advertise for a high dollar item, but it works great for services. I got my start doing websites with the gas pump technique and a magnetic sign on the back of my pickup. I really applied a few other techniques for short periods of time, but really that’s what got me started and word of mouth picked up the rest.

Just put a few of your business cards on every gas pump you stop near. You can usually find a place to stick your card in a crack or seam in the pump and not need tape, but taping a card or two to the pump is not a bad way to go. Believe it or not, you will get calls from a business card taped to a gas pump. Just try to put it on a pump that the cashier can’t see. It will stay there at least until the shift change. I’ve actually seen cards stay up for days and even weeks at a time before a customer took it.

- John