These easy, inexpensive marketing ideas make your presence better known, expand your client base and increase your income.

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800/888 Numbers

For those who are marketing products, giving seminars or conducting lectures, having a toll-free number gives prospective clients an additional reason to call even if it's just for information. That information call can become a sales call.

Acknowledgments

Always thank the person, company, or organization that refers a client to you. Make sure to acknowledge others when they have been a help: either in writing or with a small token of appreciation.

Adopt-a-Highway

This is an excellent tool to increase visibility, and it can backfire if you don't keep the area clean. If you are a one-person business, consider joining with others. The highway sign could say "This road sponsored by the associated reflexologists of Santa Cruz." Make a banner (with your company name and number) that you can affix to the reflective garments you wear while cleaning the road. Post a sign in your office that says, "Proud sponsors of Highway 101."

Advice Column

Write an advice column regarding your field for a local publication. Not only is this educational, it builds your credibility by demonstrating your degree of expertise.

Announcements

Wonderful inexpensive promotional tools to enhance your visibility and keep you connected. Send out postcards to your current clients and choice prospective clients to announce special offers, speaking engagements and changes that occur in your practice (e.g., the addition of new staff, a change in status, the incorporation of innovative techniques or equipment).

Answering Machines / Voice Mail

An answering machine or voice mail is necessary for communication with clients when you are busy. Keep your message welcoming and short; the message is a good method of keeping clients informed of your status as long as it is kept current.

Answering or Appointment Services

Some people appreciate human contact more than a machine. Be sure the service is reliable and accurate. Appointment services can be a boon to your practice; they must have up-to-date status of your appointment times.

Art

Decorate your office with outside artists' pieces, then have an art opening in the evening or when office hours are not in session, and have your practitioners be at hand to meet all these new future clients! You can also change the look of your office when you change the artwork displayed.

Articles

Write articles for magazines, newspapers, trade journals, in-house publications and newsletters published by other organizations.

Assumptions

Don't assume anything when it comes to your clients; find out by asking them. Making assumptions is one of the most detrimental actions taken in both business and personal affairs.

Attire

You and your staff represent your business. Clients develop an attitude about your business based upon the way you look at work (e.g., slovenly appearance equals slovenly service). The presentation of professionalism instills a sense of trust and safety. If you have a name and logo for your business, make up good quality t-shirts or polo shirts with the emblem and create a uniform that identifies you. Wearing it in public provides free advertising and gives people an opportunity to ask questions!

Auctions

Many non-profit charity organizations conduct auctions as fundraisers. Donating services/products for silent and not-so-silent auctions provides you with free advertising. It is also a terrific way for you to support your community.

Audio Cassettes

Audio cassettes can be used effectively and inexpensively as talking brochures or as a means of instructing clients on how to do homework (e.g., visualizations, affirmations, exercises and stretches). As something unique you can also reply to correspondence or inquiries by audio tape.

Bags

Imprint bags with your company name, logo and position statement. Many people reuse bags, so your information gets seen repeatedly.

Bake Sales

Sponsoring or participating in local fund raising events, such as bake sales, helps promote you as an active member of your community and gets your name out to the public. You can even sell healthy baked goods at your office and donate the proceeds to charity. Be creative! Make cookies, cakes and cupcakes in the shapes of hands, feet, spine, or a full body.

Banners

Not only can these have your name they can have your slogan or logo for a booth or special event.

Benefits

Donating services/products as door prizes gives you free publicity and says you are interested in helping in your community.

Billboard Advertising

Seen by many people and is a good way of informing the public about you and your services. Look for high traffic locations such as well traveled main streets and intersections. Keep your copy short and to the point.

Birthday Cards

Birthday cards demonstrate your concern and thoughtfulness. You can really make a client's day by enclosing a coupon for a free treatment or product.

Board Meetings

If you sit on a board of any organization, regular attendance and participation can lead to opportunities for marketing your services and products.

Book Signings

Co-sponsor a book signing at a local bookstore by a respected author in your field. Meeting the buying public and establishing rapport with the bookstores' sales staff is crucial for authors.

Booths

Many companies design booths that are inexpensive and portable. Booths accord you a quick and easy-to-find location for malls, health expos and local events.

Breakfasts

Volunteering to speak at local business "breakfast" club is a "free" marketing tool. Having breakfast with potential networking associates is a great way to start your day.

Brochures

A brochure provides overall information about your business. Include a logo, slogan, mission statement, methodology, expertise, benefits, and a photo of you.

Business Cards

More than just your name, address and phone, it's a visual representation of you and your business. It can become a mini-brochure describing some of the benefits of your services/products.

Set a number of cards to distribute in a certain period of time (e.g., 250 cards in one week), go into stores, professional offices, or just pass them out to people you meet on the street.

Give a magnetized business card to each new client and every guest at your open houses and public speaking events. Most people put them on refrigerator doors where they are regularly seen which makes them much more effective than a business card that gets relegated to a drawer.

Business Plan

Your business plan is the roadmap to your success. A thorough business plan has a marketing plan built into it. You establish your target market, goals with the time frames to accomplish them, and success markers indicating when it's time to move to the next level.

Business

Go to a large corporation and offer demonstrations and information for an in-house health fair just for their company.

Canvassing

Take brochures, cards, fliers or circulars around to area businesses letting them know you are there, who you are and what you can do for them. Don't just leave them. Stop in and introduce yourself. Remember to distribute information to your target markets.

Catalogs

For those who sell products or offer training programs, catalogs are excellent marketing tools. Feature each item and its benefits. Look into bulk mailing rates for cost savings.

Celebrations

Celebrate milestones (e.g., opening, moving, anniversary, 1000th client) and invite your clients, colleagues and prospective clients to celebrate with you. Provide refreshments, music and fun.

Children

Having a corner for children to play with table and chairs, a toy box or educational toys, coloring books with pictures relating to your practice, and even magazines for their age group.

Circulars

Make your circulars informative, short and easy to distribute on car windshields, use as bag stuffers, post on bulletin boards, and place on counters.

Classified Ads

There are many possible places to place ads such as newspapers, trade journals, magazines, local business, health papers, and event programs (e.g., tournaments, concerts, fund raisers).

Cleanliness / Neatness

A messy or dirty environment extends in concept for clients to the way you conduct business and provide services. Fortunately, so does being clean and neat.

Client Calls

Clients like to know they're appreciated and cared about. Follow-up calls are essential. Strategically date your "tickle" calls so that you maximize your time and have the best opportunity of reaching your client. Be sure to not make yourself a pest with frequent calls.

Client Contact

Each minute spent with a client is a marketing minute. To make those minutes work for you by providing excellent service, improving your relationship and offering helpful products. Remember to use good communication skills to key on the needs to your clients.

Client Education

Find out what's important to your clients. Inform them about articles, books, TV programs and workshops of interest.

Client Names

We all know how good it feels when people we work with remember our name and use it. Use your clients' names when greeting them and sporadically throughout the session. This demonstrates that they are important, cared about, and acknowledged.

Clinics

Offer clinics hands-on or educational workshops on your specific service or general wellness. In addition offer the workshops in conjunction with other activities such as sporting events, tournaments, health fairs and store celebrations.

Clothing

Have hats, sun visors, and t-shirts with your name on it. Give them away as gifts for referrals.

Columnists

Some columnists write stories or a series of articles on health related issues. Find out about the columnists in your area and propose an interview or provide information to them.

Comment Cards

Give your clients the opportunity to voice their opinions about you and your company. Include one in your Welcome Kit, stack them in the waiting area, and mail them to all your clients at least once a year. This is an excellent opportunity to receive testimonials you can use in your marketing materials. It also affords you a chance to make any necessary changes to your service if a pattern of complaints arise.

Community Calendars

Various organizations, radio stations, and Public TV provide calendars of events for the community. If you are sponsoring or participating in a public event or conducting a seminar, have it posted on the various community calendars available in your area.

Competition

If you cannot fulfill a client's request (other than by means that may be illegal or unethical), or feel that another service/practitioner would better suit a client's needs, refer the client to another practitioner, even if it is your "competition." Clients appreciate this and remember you had their best interests in mind, not just your pocketbook.

Computer Bulletin Boards

Local computer groups have bulletin boards where members can post information about themselves and their services. Membership is usually free.

Computerized Telemarketing

This is the age of "surfing the net." Having a "home page" with your services and products opens the "world" to you and you to the world. Take advantage of the technology available to expand your visibility and your network.

Conferences

Attending or participating in service- or product-related conferences is another form of marketing and public exposure. Again, use that booth you designed to your best advantage.

Connections with Others

Let other related businesses know you will display signs and have information available in your office if they do the same for you.

Consultations

A free consultation gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your expertise, answer questions and hand out information. Also, offer free services for local special events.

Contest

Create word scrambles, aimed for a younger clientele, using words asssociated with your profession.

Contest

Have your clients put their names in a fish bowl and draw a name for a free Turkey for Thanksgiving. Or a Christmas tree. Or a picnic basket for springtime.

Contest

The client who refers the most clients in a selected period of time gets a prize, a free service, or a t-shirt or hat with your business name on it.

Contests

People love to play games! Contests bring attention to your business and add names to your mailing list. It's best to have people come to your business to enter.

Convenience/Speed

Make it easy and fast for clients to do business with you. Time is valuable to both you and those you serve. Have your room and needed supplies ready, forms prepared, and appointment times appropriately spaced.

Coupons

Coupons are terrific for marketing to prospective clients (e.g., 50% Off the First Visit!) and rewarding loyal ones (1 free session after each 10 visits). Coupons do not cheapen your practice if they are tastefully done. Many health care providers (e.g., dentists, optometrists, chiropractors and touch therapists) offer introductory specials.

Create Heroes

Whenever an employee does something exceptional or a client reaches a particular milestone in treatment, celebrate their accomplishment by giving them something tangible such as a certificate.

Creative Cell Phone Numbers

Lynn Martel is a massage therapist in Michigan. The exchange in her area is 444 so she got the number 444-2444. 2444 translates to AHHH. Who can forget AHHH Massage!

Credit Cards

Making it easier for people to pay, makes it easier for them to buy.

Days and Hours of Operation

Keep them consistent as much as possible for optimum dependability. You gain custom if your hours and days of operation are more convenient for clients than your competitors' schedule.

Decor

First impressions are important. Your office should reflect your identity and create an atmosphere where clients feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Add a festive touch by coordinating flowers, signs, and holiday displays.

Demonstrations

Allow prospective clients to see and experience directly what your services and products are all about.

Dinners / Lunches

After letting people know who you are through introductory letters, postcards and other marketing tools, follow-up with a call, an appointment or get together for dinner/lunch. Don't just "do" dinner/lunch; get to know each other, explore common goals in your fields, and determine how you can assist each other.

Direct Calling

Speaking directly with potential clients, other professionals, networking associates and your clients adds the personal touch to your marketing strategy.

Direct Mail Coupons / Card Packs

Coupons are given to and compiled by companies and mailed to target markets; participants share in the mailing costs.

Direct Mail

Postcards, fliers, catalogs, notices, and announcements are inexpensive methods of staying in communication with your clients. Set up a coding system to track where you are getting the most responses from and focus on using those direct mail methods.

Direct Referrals

Referring clients directly to other professionals is one of the strongest threads in networking and is usually reciprocal. Setting up a network of related services and products is one of the best tools for effective business growth.

Directories

Take out listings in appropriate directories. Publish a directory of local allied health care providers to be given away at major events, mailed out in promotional campaigns and distributed to other health care providers.

Discount Sales

Giving a discount can help a prospective client decide on your services and products. Offer discounts for rewards, introductions and referrals.

Display Kudos

Frame and prominently display any press, complimentary letters and awards. This allows others to see your dedication and service to your profession. If you have too many to display at once, rotate them regularly and keep the others in an album that's placed on a table.

Distribution

Given the products you sell, utilize as many methods of distribution for sale as possible to gain the widest spectrum. The same applies to distributing information about services and products.

Donate Services to Charities

Even donating an hour a week to a charity or community cause creates goodwill and word-of-mouth marketing.

Door Hangers

A door hangar is an effective tool for reaching potential clients when your target market is geographically based. It must convey immediate action (e.g., “Get rid that nagging backache today!”). Inspire the recipient to give you a call by offering a discount, invitation to a seminar, or free educational literature.

Emergencies

Coordinate an emergency response team of health care providers to be ready during tough times like floods, hurricanes, fires or blizzards.

Expositions and Health Fairs

These events are excellent venues for networking: they give you exposure to other professionals in your field as well as their products and services; they provide an opportunity to meet potential clients; and they make use of that booth you created.

Fax Machines

A handy piece of equipment that optimizes your ability to communicate and disseminate information in a timely manner. You can fax appointment reminders, announcements and press releases.

Flea Markets

A Flea Market is where you can reach large numbers of people while demonstrating your products and services (and utilizing that booth).

Fliers

Fliers are short announcements about upcoming events, sales and changes in service - whatever is happening with your business that the public needs to know. In addition to posting them around town mail at least 25 per week to prospective clients.

Free of Charge

Once in awhile do something free of charge for your clients: perhaps a modality such as a hot pack; or upon seeing they are enjoying having their feet rubbed, let them know and give them an extra five minutes.

Frequent Buyer Cards

Offer an exclusive discount on products or services to frequent clients. Give a free session or product after a set number (e.g., "Your 11th session is free!") or dollar amount of purchases (e.g., purchase $200 in gift certificates and get a free treatment for yourself, purchase $200 in gift certificates and get a free eye pillow).

Gift Certificates

Gift Certificates are a wonderful way for clients to share their experience with others and a great marketing tool for you (e.g., a gift certificate for a session on a client's birthday!). Keep in mind that the profit isn't generated from the sale of the certificate, but from the subsequent sessions.

Gifts

Instead of giving candy or food as gifts, help enrich someone's mind with a book, inspirational bookmark or a mug with a meaningful message. Establish goodwill and loyalty by giving small gifts to employees for work well done or that extra mile they go for you.

Golf Pros

Golf pros meet with people constantly who are in a sport that can cause pulls and strains. Align yourself with several golf pros and provide them with your promotional materials, and with incentives such as discounts or free sessions with X number of referrals.

Golf Resorts

Post a sign offering a free session to members who have made a verifiable hole-in-one.

Grand Openings

This is a "grand" way of letting people know who you are, where you are and what you are all about.

Greeting Cards

These are a good method of connecting with clients, networking associates, and referring professionals, just to wish them good tidings.

Health Clubs

Submit a proposal for the health club to purchase gift certificates to give as an incentive to new members who pay in full upon initiation or when members reach a milestone goal.

Health Fairs

Share a booth with other practitioners, and together create an informative, attractice display. Offer short demonstrations of the work you do. Hand out discount coupons, brochures, business cards, pens or other paraphanelia (magnets) which display your name and business.

Holidays

Decorate your office to match the holiday, offer special discounts for holidays and give specialty gifts (e.g., cinnamon and clove-scented oil for Thanksgiving, sports bottles for the Summer Solstice).

Introductory Letters

Send letters to allied health care providers to develop mutual referrals. Send at least two letters each week until you have amassed your desired network.

Introductory Seminars

The focus is introducing your services/products to prospective clients. Having introductory prices available helps "fence-sitters" make a move in your direction.

Invitations

Invitations can be verbal, hand-delivered or mailed. Invite people to see your facilities, come to a free demonstration or call for information. Warmly given or nicely printed on paper, make sure your offer is inviting.

Jargon

Avoid using jargon unless you are certain your market and clients know the terminology.

Jingle

Create a catchy tune and phrase that easily identifies your company (particularly for radio and television advertising).

Keynote Speeches

Advise your professional associations and community organizations that you are available as a keynote speaker.

Kiosk

Post promotional materials on kiosks at malls, colleges and pavilions. Check for regulations first.

Kites

Design a kite with your logo and fly it prominently.

Knowledge is Power

Ascertain your current and potential clients' needs, desires and goals.

Lectures

Giving lectures on your service/products provides credibility to you as a professional, educates the public and becomes a vehicle for sales.

Little Things

Make doing little things for clients a matter of business policy. These "little" things help establish client loyalty.

Location

Location is an important component to the success of a business. A poor location can break a business even if the service and products are good. If you are in an area that is inconvenient or unsafe, people will seek out your competitors.

Logo

A graphical representation of your business that helps people quickly recognize your company.

Mailing Lists

Mailing Lists should be kept accurate and current. Include clients, prospects, other professionals, networking associates and companies/individuals in related fields. Trade lists with others who provide services or products to your target markets.

Memberships

Join appropriate professional associations, local business groups, and service organizations. Being a member of a professional association gives you greater credibility. Aligning yourself with local business groups and service organizations provides increased visibility, gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your skills, and is a core from which to network.

Mistakes

We all make them. The best way to handle them is with no excuses - just plain honesty. Create a "Goof Gift" to give to clients when you or a staff member makes a mistake. People appreciate the integrity of an honest apology and honor it. Making it right is one of the best marketing tools available. Clients who were unhappy leave with a good feeling and oftentimes return even though they may have decided otherwise at the time.

Networking

Networking is a very important part of marketing. Join networking organizations, community service organizations, clubs, and participate in community special events. Networking is a great way to establish trust and build professional relationships.

Newcomer's Welcome Kit

Include several business cards, brochures, pertinent information, product samples, and educational or promotional materials on the benefits of your services or products.

Newsletters

When used as a consistent marketing tool, newsletters establish your expertise and educate the public. It is an excellent format for offering specials, coupons and announcing special events. Newsletters can also be sent to other health professionals and potential clients for marketing purposes. Another idea is to write articles or place ads in other's newsletters.

Newspaper

Submit opinion pieces, articles, letters to the editor, press releases and calendar listings. Get a newspaper reporter to interview you. This is an excellent way to become known and and recognized in your community and to establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Open Houses

Hold quarterly and special holiday open houses for colleagues, businesses in your community, prospects, and clients.

Order Forms for Product Sales

Don't let an impulse sale get away because you didn't have your order forms handy. The elements to successful product sales are quality, availability and convenience. Having a client wait a few extra minutes while you rummage may cost you a loss of revenue.

Package Deals

Putting together packages for services and products that save clients money can improve sales without increasing marketing costs.

Painted Cars and Car Signs

Provides great coverage as you go through your day; draws attention since it is unusual to see unique, eye-catching things on cars.

Pamphlets

Create pamphlets which contain detailed information about you, your services, philosophy, mission statement, benefits, specific techniques and health tips.

Park or Street Bench Advertising

This is another underutilized method of reaching the general public. Place ads on benches that are seen by your target markets (e.g., in front of stores they patronize).

Parties

Plan theme parties. One idea is "Fluid Motion." Decorate with pictures of sea creatures (or stuffed toys), play ocean music and show videos of underwater life moving gently, easily and fluidly. You can also have clients sponsor parties where you demonstrate your services to their friends.

Pens

Pass out imprinted pens to clients, colleagues and people involved with your target markets. How about giving out two pens so they can pass one on?

Personalized gift items

Also known as premiums and specialty advertising. Keep an assortment of inexpensive, fun, useful items to give away.

Phone Attitude

How the phone is answered can either foster or damage a relationship. Remember warmth, enthusiasm and helpfulness are key marketing tools. Answering the phone with "Yeah, what do you want? I'm tired and you bother me" attitude doesn't work!

Postcards

Postcards are a fast, easy and inexpensive way of reminding clients of follow-ups, appointments, announcements or just saying hello. Also a good technique for generating new clients.

Posters

Have posters made to put in windows or on bulletin boards at related businesses (e.g., health food stores, sports facilities and fitness clubs).

Press Conferences

Generally used by large companies and firms to relate information affecting the general public.

Press Releases

Short statements for publication in magazines, newspapers, newsletters and journals regarding your services, products and publications. Advise your "net" of exciting events such as hiring someone, forming an association, expanding your services, adding new equipment, hosting an open house or facilitating a workshop. Also send press releases to clients and colleagues.

Pricing

One of the main factors clients use in choosing services/products. Find out what the going rates are in your area and set your prices accordingly.

Professional Journals

This is not only a good place to advertise, but to write articles and make yourself known. Writing adds to your credibility as a professional. Contact the editors of various journals to find out topics they are looking for or to present your ideas for articles.

Promotional Materials #1

Visit VistaPrint for a great selection of inexpensive full-color business cards, postcards, stationery and promotional items. You can choose designs from their library and customize them with your personal information or upload your own design. You can even get free business cards!

Promotional Materials #2

Make your business card a magnet for the refrigerator.

Promotional Materials #3

Especially in Arizona and New Mexico, make labels with your logo, a fun photo, an inspirational quote or saying, and put them on water bottles to hand out, particularly during the hot seasons.

Public Awareness Campaign

Join with other people in your specific field and create a public awareness campaign through advertisements, articles, interviews and public speaking.

Public Service Tie-In

Sponsor the blood donor mobile unit, police fingerprint unit for children, or fire department home safety seminars.

Public Speaking

Give talks at business associations, clubs and public service organizations. Join an organization like Toastmasters to learn platform speaking techniques and gain confidence.

Publicity

Inform the media about anything newsworthy concerning your business.

Qualify

Design your marketing materials so that they actually pre-screen clients.

Quotes

Use quotes from people who are prominent within your target market.

Radio

Radio is an advertising medium that reaches large numbers of people. Take an ad, sponsor a program, become a guest speaker on local talk shows, or hosta health care talk show.

Raffles and Prizes

Providing services or products for special events for raffles and prizes helps in getting your name out to the public.

Receptions

Often given to welcome and introduce new employees, associates and mergers. This allows your clients, allied health care providers and networking associates to get to know new people in your business and vice versa, in an informal and comfortable setting.

Referral Cards

Referral cards encourage clients to promote your practice. Traditional referral cards offer the recipient a discount (e.g., $10 off the initial session). If you really want to inspire enthusiasm from your clients, offer them the same discount whenever a card is redeemed.

Referral Networks

Essential as a marketing tool: it not only benefits you, it offers you the opportunity to assist others with their growth and prosperity.

Refreshments

Offering healthy tidbits (e.g.: bottled water, juice, tea, fruit) to clients creates an atmosphere of warmth and caring. A small gesture as this can produce a dramatic effect.

Reprints

Advertising is costly and articles appear in print only once. You can inexpensively reprint them so they're available for mailings, handouts and signs.

Restaurants

Place a display with your cards and brochures next to the cash register (and put coupons from the restaurant in your waiting area).

Retreats

Either sponsor a retreat or provide your services at retreats held by local companies and associations.

Reunions

Attend class reunions and let people know what you are doing. Host a reunion for all your clients who have completed a treatment course.

Rewards / Incentives / Gifts

Submit proposals for companies to offer your services for customer or employee rewards. They could offer certificates:

• for sales incentives
• to honor employees of the month
• to use as premiums with their customers
• to give as holiday gifts for employees
  (It's certainly classier than a gift certificate for a frozen turkey!)

Rewards

For patient (client) referrals, give out dinner coupons, hats or t-shirts with your logo on it, bibs for the toddlers, movie certificates, etc.

Sandwich Boards

Sandwich Boards direct the public to your products and services at your location. Make sure they are colorful and easy to read from a distance.

Satisfied Customers

One of the most valuable marketing tools is a customer who is satisfied with your quality of service and its value. They are your greatest ally and the impetus for your word-of-mouth campaign.

Scholarships

Sponsor an academic or sports scholarship for children, young adults or members of your target markets.

Scripts

Providing your employees with scripts for various circumstances helps guide them in representing your business to its optimum and deterrs the disasters "winging it" can create.

Searchlights

A flashy, unique way to direct people to your location and draw attention to a special event.

Seminars

Seminars establish you as an authority in your field, lends credibility, provides a catalyst for your services and products, and educates the public.

Service

Service is one of the main reasons clients select and stay with a business. Good or poor service means client retention or loss, and ties directly into marketing through word-of-mouth.

Shopping Cart Signs

Many people are in a hurry and stressed when shopping--especially after work. Create a sign that makes them think about how good they would feel after utilizing your service or products.

Sign Language

Learn to communicate in sign language so you can offer services to the hearing impaired.

Signs (Outdoors)

Your location sign should be clear and large enough to be easily seen. Include your logo if economically feasible. Your sign needs to be easily and quickly identifiable.

Signs

Hang signs and posters announcing specials. Also emphasize services such as "Gift Certificates Available."

Skywriting

How often do you see writing in the sky? Gets your attention, eh?

Smiles, Greetings, and Goodbyes

These are not often thought of as a marketing tool. Yet reflect on how often you go back to a business where no one smiles, no one greets you warmly, and no one says "Good-bye, I hope we helped you and look forward to seeing you again."

Solicitation Letters

Solicitation Letters are sent to prospective clients asking them to try your services/products, or to professionals seeking mutual referrals.

Special Events

Encourage publicity by being a sponsor of (or participating in) local events, or holding unusual events at your place of business.

Special Promotions and Displays

Boost marketing efforts with "in-store" displays featuring your products; and cards, brochures, and fliers that explain your services and benefits. Attract business by providing discount fliers that can be redeemed at the time of the appointment.

Sponsor an Athletic Team

Print T-shirts with your name and logo for the team to wear. Attend the games to support your team. Place a display sign in your office that says "Proud sponsor of the ABC Cycling Team!"

Sponsor an Event or Community Activity

It involves your business in the community and helps you meet potential clients.

Sporting Events

Volunteer your services at local sporting events, Senior and Special Olympics.

Statement Stuffers

Include information about specific products or services whenever you send out statements to clients. You can also place your brochure in other people's billing statements (just make sure they go to your target markets).

Stationery

Stationery is a visual representation of your business; make sure it conveys your desired image.

Surveys and Questionnaires

Surveys and questionnaires are a great way to get the "pulse" of your clients and discover what you are doing right and what needs to be changed. Find out what clients want, like, dislike and their opinion of your services.

Sweepstakes

A sweepstakes is an interactive method of calling attention to your business and getting additional names for your mailing list.

Television

Become a guest on local television shows. Place commercials which demonstrate your services or products and their benefits—fully utilize the dynamics of music, words and pictures.

Testimonials

Nothing hits home like a personal account of the success of your products and services. Use them in marketing tools, advertising and seminars. Always use full names and if possible, the title, company and city.

Theme Festival

Ban together with nearby businesses and hold a gala event such as "Spring Festival" or "Winter Warm-Ups."

Theme Week

Devote a week to a particular activity, for instance Mobility Week, and set up activities centering on mobility issues. Coordinate with your local government to sponsor city-wide events.

Tournaments

Volunteer short treatment sessions for participants. You can also sponsor a refreshment stand; be sure you have a large display sign or banner. Offer free sessions to the winners or even propose that the tournament coordinators purchase a number of certificates to be given as prizes.

Trade Directory

Advertise in local trade directories. They are usually the first place people look when they want your specific service or products.

Trainings

Training other professionals establishes your credibility and expertise. They range from an evening class to a week-long intensive training.

Transit Advertising

Transit Advertising (buses, taxis, depots) directs the public to your services and products as your image is driven all over town and seen by those who wait for their rides.

Umbrellas

If you live in a rainy city, purchase a stock of umbrellas with your logo imprinted on them and loan or give them to clients who forget their own.

Uniforms

Create a unique, professional image by putting your logo, position statement or favorite design on clothing.

Updates

Let your clients know when you have completed a seminar, class or lecture, that enhances your service to them.

Vacation Nights

Sponsor a "health" vacation with guest speakers, activities, drawings and show slides (e.g., spa destinations, great places to hike and boat).

Videotapes

A unique method of presenting and demonstrating your services and products. They can be left with other professionals for marketing; have clients view them while waiting to see you; used as part of a proposal for a corporate contract; and shown as an educational tool for the public.

VIPs

Turn your customers into VIPs. Give them the opportunity to avail themselves of special sales and promotions. Each time a repeat client visits, treat him/her with the special care you gave with your first session. Provide filtered water (or special teas/juices) for clients to drink before or after the session, have a bowl with hard candies (sugarless also), and keep a blanket handy in case clients become cold or a fan should they become warm. If you are a massage/bodywork practitioner be sure to offer clients towels to wipe off with and use attractive sheets (if you find out a client likes a particular color or mentions they like a particular set of sheets have that ready for the next massage).

Voice Mail Services

A Voice Mail Service can be your primary message service or as a back up to an answering machine in case of mechanical failure.

Welcome-to-My-Office Kit

Send a welcome kit to all new clients as soon as they book their first appointment. Include the following: a brochure describing your services, benefits and features; financial and appointment policies; a business card; and educational information. This allows the client to know what to expect and feel more comfortable and welcome!

Window and Store Front Displays

Create an inviting display showing your services or products; make it colorful and catchy to grab the public's attention. Change it frequently.

These can also be created at related businesses, not just your own. Some malls rent "Window Display" areas in front of vacant stores or have special display alcoves.

Word-of-Mouth

One of the most powerful resources for business: satisfied and dissatisfied clients talk and talk.

Workshops

Conduct workshops or classes in your area. Advertise in newspapers and local magazines, mail fliers and hang posters. Do free lectures which you can advertise at no cost by sending out Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to print media and radio stations.

X-Rays

If you are a chiropractor or dentist, offer free x-rays upon a client's initial visit.

Yellow Pages

Yellow Pages are used extensively by the public for locating services. Place your listing under the most logical category if you can only afford one listing. Otherwise list under each applicable category.

Zoological Society

Sponsor an animal or event at your local zoo. Sponsorships are often published in the society's newsletter and if the contribution is significant, the zoo might even place a plaque with your name on its premises.