Advertising can be expensive. This in itself is an understatement if you have ever priced TV spots, or slick magazine ads. Even email blasting can come with a cost if you don't do everything yourself. In this environment of saving money, you may have an opportunity to advertise your business that won't cost much, if any at all.
If you started your business, chances are that no one knows the industry better, and others can benefit from your expertise. Why not offer to speak at local functions and at organizational meetings? No, they won't pay you, but think of it as an investment of your time. They get to learn something from an expert and you get to spread the word about your business and what you do.
An additional advantage to this idea comes from Speak Shmeak. Use these little speaking engagements to work on your public speaking skills. Especially if you have difficulty getting in front of a room full of people and speaking, getting comfortable in "no-risk" situations will help you be more comfortable when the chips are down.
Another good idea is to incorporate conference calls into your charity talks. If an organization cancels or cannot get all of its members together on the day you are supposed to speak, offer to set up a conference call for them. You get to practice your speaking skills, they get to meet, and your ingenuity will not go unnoticed. Even at normal, face-to-face engagements, you could announce a conference call at the end of your speech. The content would be about your business or products, and even if people don't attend, they'll most likely pass the information on.
