What Are the Legal Ways to Advertise a Small Business?

[emiscookin]

Hey everyone. As you all know I am new to the business and REALLY need to expand it!!

What are the things that I am allowed to do to advertise my business?

I understand I can't post on Craigslist or have a fan/group page on Facebook correct? I also understand that I can't put flyers in people's mailboxes because it's illegal. Someone mentioned putting them in the newspaper holder next to the mailbox, but could I get in trouble for that too??

Can I advertise in the newspaper?

Would love to hear from you and any clever ideas you have that have worked. Thanks!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

In our policies online you can read the dos and don'ts but here are some basics. On our PC website Merrill has some ads we can purchase for ($3.25?) They are in a email format that you can send in to newspapers to put in their paper. These are made by the company with a variety of sayings. You can make your own to post in a paper, but you can only use pictures that are not copyrighted. That's why using merrill is the best choice.I have used advertising in my local paper several times. I usually got 2-3 bookings a month and I got a recruit from it! You can put your flyers in the paper boxes. The reason you can't in the mailbox is it's a federal offense. * billboards okay
* door flyers okay (find a company that puts these out for you- makes it easy. We have one in our town I'm going to use)
* business that will let you leave your information

 

[Sheila]

... I have used advertising in my local paper several times. I usually got 2-3 bookings a month and I got a recruit from it! ...

... as long as the paper doesn't offer an online version. I learned that lesson the hard way. I thought I was following all the rules for advertising in my local paper ... not one of the top 100 ... no web address, etc. Then I got a complaint from HO where someone had reported me. When I called, it took forever to figure out that it was because they offered the classifieds online that made it a violation.
I suggested that they add that clause to the advertising section of the Policy & procedures ... because I followed that section by the book! I had a true moron trying to help me because the "right" person was out of the office. So I'm not sure that the "right" person got the message relayed or if the "wrong" person ever really understood why someone would be confused.

 

[Sheila]

Oh, but the moron did tell me that I could put an ad in the paper with my name & number and that would be okay ... as long as I didn't advertise what I sell. Hmmm, let's see ... I wonder what kind of calls that I would get off an ad like that??? I doubt it would be any potential PC customers, PC hosts or PC recruits! It would probably be a bunch of men looking for a good time.

 

[raebates]

Oh, that's funny. I can see it now:

I have great stuff to offer.
Call me.
Sheila Dacey
XXX-XXX-XXXX

Oh yeah, that would bring in the PC business. LOL!

 

[chefmickey1]

Don't forget logo wear and the catalog tote. Even a catalog sticking out of your purse can work as a simple idea.

 

[Sheila]

Oh, that's funny. I can see it now:

I have great stuff to offer.
Call me.
Sheila Dacey
XXX-XXX-XXXX

Oh yeah, that would bring in the PC business. LOL!

Oh, I'd have to make it more fun than THAT Rae! ...

Let's call all your friends over for a fun evening and you can earn stuff for free & at a discount! My hosts NEVER pay full price! name/number

LOL

 

[emiscookin]

... as long as the paper doesn't offer an online version. I learned that lesson the hard way. I thought I was following all the rules for advertising in my local paper ... not one of the top 100 ... no web address, etc. Then I got a complaint from HO where someone had reported me. When I called, it took forever to figure out that it was because they offered the classifieds online that made it a violation.
I suggested that they add that clause to the advertising section of the Policy & procedures ... because I followed that section by the book! I had a true moron trying to help me because the "right" person was out of the office. So I'm not sure that the "right" person got the message relayed or if the "wrong" person ever really understood why someone would be confused.

Hmm...thanks for sharing that. I wonder if I tell the newspaper people not to post it online, will they?

 

[esavvymom]

Hmm...thanks for sharing that. I wonder if I tell the newspaper people not to post it online, will they?

I wouldn't bet on it. They aren't going to make a code modification for one person most likely. You can ask them if it is an option for you to NOT be listed online. They may have a way to leave it out entirely....just depends on the company. Can't hurt to ask.

 

[raebates]

Oh, I'd have to make it more fun than THAT Rae! ...

Let's call all your friends over for a fun evening and you can earn stuff for free & at a discount! My hosts NEVER pay full price! name/number

LOL

Now THAT could get some interesting responses.

 

[emiscookin]

In our policies online you can read the dos and don'ts but here are some basics. On our PC website Merrill has some ads we can purchase for ($3.25?) They are in a email format that you can send in to newspapers to put in their paper. These are made by the company with a variety of sayings. You can make your own to post in a paper, but you can only use pictures that are not copyrighted. That's why using merrill is the best choice.

Could you send me a link to that? I can't find it on the Merrill website. Thanks!

 

[pampered1224]

Sheila!!! Second career maybe??? I understand you can make a LOT OF MONEY that way! Could you imagine? Pull out a Baker's Roller and offer a message! Then give them a half priced item as the Happy Ending!

 

[Laura4]

Ok, here's a conundrum - what about a "race car sponsorship" but it doesn't use the logo and it's just a script that says Pampered Chef by Laura and my phone number?

 

[raebates]

As long as it's local I don't see the problem, Laura.

 

[Laura4]

Yep. Just a local little dirt track. LOL!! No Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or anything. HAHA!!