Look for ways you can generate some free publicity for your business. For example, contact non-competing businesses serving customers in your market. Offer to publicize their products or services to your customers in exchange for their publicizing your services to their customers.

CAUTION: Do not expect free publicity to replace results you get with advertising. Use it to supplement your advertising. You control where and when your advertising appears. You cannot control where or when you get publicity ...or whether you get any at all.

4. CONVERT YOUR CUSTOMERS INTO PUBLICITY AGENTS

Satisfied customers can be your most effective publicity agents. Give them an incentive to tell their associates and friends about value of your products or services. An endorsement from them is much more effective than advertising - and it is much cheaper.

For example, ask your customers for referrals. Offer to reward them each time one of their referrals becomes a customer. Your reward can be as simple as a special discount on their next order or a special bonus item.

Every business goes through periods of slow or no growth. When it happens to you, use these 4 low-cost marketing tactics to revitalize your business - and increase your sales.

Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses just like yours find new customers and increase sales. He just released a New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast With Simple Postcards and several other publications to help small businesses grow and prosper. For more information: Email: BobLeduc@aol.com Subject: "Postcards" Phone: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV

Backed up by customers' testimonials, these statements put your prospects just in right mood for doing business with you.

How can YOU make yourself important?

1. List your qualifications and achievements on your "About" page.

2. Mention all big names and important people in your industry that you have worked with or have met.

3. List all media and press sources your name has been mentioned in, or you have worked closely with.

4. State your hourly fees that you charge for your services (if you're selling a product, which will save your customers that fee because they'll be able to tap into your expertise from your e-book, for example)

5. Add testimonials from your clients and colleagues that emphasize how great you are.

6. Mention how many years you have been in business, if at least over 5.

7. Be sure to list what courses you have taken and what certifications you hold. Especially if they're well known and appreciated in your target market.

There are other ways to make yourself important on your web site, I am sure you can think of a few! Whatever you, don't ever diminish yourself, your skills and your worth. There will always be people willing to pay for your expertise, IF you present yourself as an expert.