Take Advantage of Free Advertising

Who says that there are no free things these days? There are many opportunities to advertise your business, organization, or event without spending a dime! The key to taking advantage of these options is knowing where to look. Here are three marketing possibilities to help you locally, right here in southwest North Dakota:

1 | Online Event Calendars

While these won’t help you advertise day to day operations, but you should take time to utilize online listings for any special events. The vast majority (if not all) of local event calendars are free to post listings, though some may require you to create a log-in name and password first. If you have an event you need advertised, head to the following websites and submit your event:

Consolidated Classifieds

The Dickinson Press

KQCD NBC

KXNet CBS

2 | Printed Directories

Local newspapers and advertising circulars often put out printed business directories. Keep your ears open for submission deadlines and be sure to get your business or organization included. Below is information for one such publication, the Dickinson City Guide:

3 | Social Media & Online Directories

Social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn are becoming more and more valuable for local businesses. Search engine listings are also very important in making sure your customers can find you online. Be sure to look into the following options:

Facebook | Facebook’s ‘fan page’ listings are a perfect way to build brand recognition and start a dialogue with your customer base.

Google Places | This free listing garners high search engine rankings, allows you to create a profile with business information and photos, and shows up on Google maps when people are searching in your area.

Yahoo Local | A business directory which allows for ratings and reviews, maps, events, and more.

Bing Local Listings This local listing database also allows you to add a new listing for your own business or for one you represent.

By Clayton Kraby

Dickinson State University’s Strom Center is now supported by the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, through its University Centers Program. The EDA’s mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA implements this mission by making strategic investments which are results driven and embrace the principles of technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional development.

“This is a highly competitive process and we are both proud and honored to be selected as a recipient of EDA support to develop and implement a Business Incubation Program for southwest North Dakota,” said Strom Center Executive Director Steve Glasser.

This investment will be utilized to develop a virtual regional business incubator and entrepreneur coaching initiative. This incubation model will develop and deliver marketing, consulting, training, and research programs to strengthen the entrepreneur’s personal, professional, organizational and financial development. This model will have the ability to reach entrepreneurs with education, training, and coaching, and will serve those who are not in need of physical space.
The incubator will employ three innovative economic development strategies (virtual incubation, community collaboration, and entrepreneur coaching) to increase the economic competitiveness of growth oriented entrepreneurs in western North Dakota and eastern Montana.

Focus groups are being conducted in the SW ND region in December 2010 to gather input on what area economic developers and entrepreneurs would like to see included in the Business Incubation Program’s offerings.