Starting a business can be an exciting, terrifying experience. On the one hand, there's virtually limitless potential, but on the other, you won't have much room for error. A single mistake can have disastrous consequences. It's no wonder that most new businesses fail in their first five years. Those that survive either get lucky or make the right decisions. More often than not, they discover the power and pitfalls of local advertising. Who Needs It? Whether they sell pizza, cut hair, or teach karate, every new business must make its presence known. They must tell people what they do and why their products and/or services are valuable. If they cannot complete this vital task in a relatively short period of time, they'll most likely go the way of the dodo. As you might imagine, this is an assignment that inspires dread in most new business owners. Not only does their survival depend on it, but also there are countless advertising options from which to choose. Such as? On a local level, ads can be plastered on billboards, signs, even on bus benches. These big, bold promotional pitches are visible to both drivers and passersby. They are also, in our opinion, a tremendous waste of money. So why do companies do it? Putting your name up in lights on an enormous billboard is obviously an ego booster. It makes you feel good about yourself and what you have created. But it's also a bad investment. Countless studies have shown that inexpensive promotional items are far more effective at drumming up new business. Why is this? The Personal Touch A billboard is a large, immobile, impersonal structure that speaks to everyone in exactly the same way. But when you actually hand someone a promotional item, no matter what it may be, a connection is made. Call it the law of reciprocity or simply the power of giving, but those who receive something often feel true appreciation. This feeling is often enough to bring them in as new customers. What To Give? The great thing about inexpensive promotional items is that many of them are also useful. If you give a passerby a flyer or a coupon, odds are they'll simply throw it away. But if you hand them a T-shirt, a calendar, a pen, or a coffee mug-adorned with your logo, of course-they'll almost certainly use it. After all, who doesn't enjoy getting something for free? Items that can be passed along, such as pencils or pens, are ideal for companies that need to increase traffic in a jiffy. They are inexpensive, useful, and are often passed between employees and family members. Promotional bottle openers are shared by friends, co-workers, and others. Of course, the single most popular free business product is the T-shirt. This custom apparel works as a double promotional product, in that it not only appeals to the wearer, but also to everyone with whom he comes in contact. In other words, it turns him into a walking billboard for your company. Inexpensive promotional items are one of the most cost-effective ways to get the word out about your business. When looking for promotional items, Grand Rapids, Michigan businesses go to http://www.iqink.com/home.
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