Those people who find treasures are people who feel euphoria at sight of garage sales. These people need to look at these garage sales in a new light. You can take this overwhelming urge and profit from it in several ways. You just have to find way that suits you best.

Before going too far in this endeavor, check with your local government regarding laws and regulations of garage sales. Some places state that if you have more than a certain number of garage sales, like more than five, you have to claim all money made as income. Other places have no stipulations and regulations.

Once you have this knowledge, it is time to start. You may want to ask some of your friends who also enjoy going to city wide garage sales to join your adventure, or you may just want to keep it solo. The choice is completely yours.

Start by cleaning out your own home. As you go though it, price each piece. Place all items together in one area. By pricing items now, you will save some time later for your city wide garage sale.

Call your local newspaper and place an ad to run on Thursday and Friday. Make sure you state in ad date, times, location, and any specialty items you have. Always set time for 30 minutes later than you actually want it. This way people will start arriving when you want and not 20 to 30 minutes before.

The day before city wide garage sale, put up signs around main roads in your community. Make sure poster board is a light color and that you use a large tip black marker for your lettering. Include times, date and address of garage sale. You may also want to preset your items on tables and hanger in garage for a quick start in morning.

Looking at big picture can be overwhelming. There's an endless supply of marketing options that small or home-based business can take advantage of, such as pres releases, telemarketing, ad mail, brochures, web sites, e-mail campaigns and much more. But without a solid plan, you're just be spinning your wheels.

The sad reality is that majority of small and home based businesses don't approach their marketing in a strategic way. They may promote their business without clearly identifying their target market, or regularly use marketing campaigns without monitoring results.

Today we are bombarded with technology and new toolsfor reaching, connecting and communicating. But whenputting these new tools to work, remember that samebasic marketing principles still apply. Understandingand including these principles in your day-to-dayapproach to business is crucial to your success," said Tonkin.

In order to take your business to next level, a solid marketing plan is required. Marketing is basically key function directed to your target market (customers) that addresses them specifically.

According to Tonkin, marketing communications fits into your overall marketing plan because it represents a collection of all activities necessary to establish a consistent message to your customers. Although many of these activities can work well alone, best results are achieved when they are coordinated with other marketing activities.

This means that every customer directed activity is well defined within your marketing plan. That includes how you answer phone, create mail, advertising or product packaging. It all must fit together to create a cohesive impression in eyes of your customers. This consistent image should reflect best aspects of your business and what you have to offer.

Before you can even begin to put together this cohesive image, you first must know your customers. How can you effectively communicate a message when you don't know who message is directed at?

Don't just assume that you already know your target market, take a moment to ask yourself following key questions:

1. Who are my customers?
2. What do they need?
3. Why will they buy my product or service?