If you have a brand new business sprouting as we speak, you need to pay attention here. Or may be you already own a small business in its nascent nervy stage. In either scenario you require a solid plan to reach your target customer. And you need it fast. Well, this article is not about giving you a marketing plan. This is to tell you what 5 mistakes to avoid. As a small business you can’t afford to loose a million dollar in market research or focus groups to find out what might work for you. But I can tell you right away what will not work. Lets find out what to avoid in your initial marketing and advertising. 1. Acting Small- ‘One man Band show’ A cardinal sin that you can commit in this time and age is to act small. Of course, you really might be a humble start-up but internet gives you a level playing field with the big guys. So why not go out, get a neat website, find some multiple-id corporate email ids, get a toll-free no. and open the shutter to public. Dn’t make it blatantly obvious that you are a one-man/woman band. Find ways of being bigger- not small. 2. Underselling- ‘Pay Us Whatever You Want’ Yes, you are just starting out. Every penny matters and you might have rising bills. Granted. Undercutting a competitor by reducing prices can be a smart business strategy, but simply trying to survive by taking whatever you get- is a disaster signal. Remember, price is an important element of your marketing-mix, please do not abuse it. ‘Better-value’ is a unique proposition; ‘cheap-product’ is not. 3. Boasting- ‘We are The Best’ Do you have honest references and genuine testimonials to prove your credibility? Do you make it visible straightaway on your home page or company leaflet? If not, then whatever you will say in support of your product and services will sound like an over-hyped sales pitch. So please be careful. Your sales page might be boasting beyond your customer’s logic. 4. Blabbering Online- ‘Bill Gates Sucks’ If you have a business to run, you have a reputation to guard. Blabbering on online forums, passing sleazy chain-emails, or, commenting rudely on blogs will find its way to your Google resume. Watch what you do online. Big brother is indeed watching you. 5. Freeby-Mania- ‘Free Web Design By’ Its commonplace for new small business owners to be on the lookout for free stuff. Not bad. As long as, it reduces the cost and provides added productivity. Beware of too many free links in your website, or, email newsletters. Maybe that presentation you prepared with free software (which left a ’sample’ watermark)can find its way to your clients. I hope these tips will help you guard against small pitfalls you can make in a bid to quickly promote your business. These are all common-sense issues. Make a habit of avoiding them once will help you throughout your entrepreneurial career.

• Previous Entry: Understanding Small Business Loans For Women
• Next Entry: 5 Keys To Small Business Success