How to Advertise a Service Business

Even though your service business may provide the best services in the area, unless you know where and how to advertise it, you may be lacking customers. By following a few steps, you'll learn how to advertise a service business easily and effectively.

Place a classified ad.

Call your local neighborhood newspaper and ask to place a small classified ad in the service business section. Classifieds are cheaper than larger display ads, and can be just as effective. Make sure that your classified ad gets published in the right section, because you don't want your service business to be advertised in the "help wanted" section.

Distribute flyers.

Flyer distribution is very effective, as it delivers your message to your potential customers' front door. Check with local ordinances and police departments because some areas may prohibit flyer distribution. You can either distribute the flyers yourself, or you can hire a distribution company, who can get your message out to thousands of area locals. Before hiring a flyer distribution company, do the math. Calculate the cost of having the flyers printed as well as having them distributed. If the cost exceeds your potential profits, reconsider your strategy. Remember, that a "one-time" flyer distribution delivery is typically ineffective, because it sometimes takes a potential customer a few times of seeing your offer before they will act on it.

Advertise in coupon packs.

Many households receive those envelope packs containing a variety of coupons ranging from restaurant coupons to service business coupons. You can even request that your service business coupon be placed in the "window" portion of the envelope. Again, the consumer usually needs to see your advertisement multiple times before he will act on your offer, so you may need to use this method multiple times before you see a measurable response.