Posting an ad on Craigslist is probably one of the easiest things you can do to promote your Business, Event or News for free online.

For those of you who don’t know it, Craigslist is an online network which features free online classified advertisements.

You can create your own free Craigslist advertisement and have it online in a matter of seconds. Simply create your ad, and then insert it into the ad form at Craigslist.

Is posting a free ad on CRAIGSLIST really easy?

Well, yes but…

You’ll have to create a CRAIGSLIST account first.

There have been recent changes to setting up a Craigslist account – with new security features in place for some categories.

But still, the process is very easy!

Here are 10 Easy Steps To Creating a Craigslist Account

1. First, go to craigslist.org. You’ll see columns of specific cities, states, and countries.

Just click on the specific location in which you want to post an advertisement.

2. Once you are on your location page, click “post to classifieds”.

3. You will be asked what type of posting you are making. In most cases, you’ll want to select “service offered”.

4. Under the “services” section, simply click the category which best fits your Business or Service.

You’ll be taken to a page that says: “you need to have a Craigslist account…”

5. Click the “Craigslist account” link. Then click “sign up for an account” (at the bottom of the page).

6. On the next page, enter the Email Address you want associated with your Craigslist account.

(It’s important to note that this email address is for Craigslist Administrators only. You will be given a completely anonymous email address to be used for your ads)!

Then enter the verification words you see in the Box. Click “create account”.

If this is done correctly, you’ll get a thank you – but you’re not finished yet!

7. Check your email for the link from CRAIGSLIST to activate your CRAIGSLIST account.

8. Click the link, enter your password, and submit it.

9. Read the CL Terms Of Use page and make sure you understand it.

You don’t want your ads to be flagged (deleted), and you certainly don’t want your account to be suspended.

If you are sure you want to continue with CRAIGSLIST, click “I accept”.

10. You are ready to post your first free CRAIGSLIST ad!

Click “go” and go for it!

Oh yes, it’s FREE.

I work frequently with small business owners who are scrambling for creative ways to keep their business visible and vibrant on a very limited budget.

Many of them are asking:

It is possible to remain competitive while spending less on marketing?

Answer: Yes!

What Kind Of Magic Is This?

Update Your Website and Change Your Hosting Plan

In a land of nearly non-existent human attention spans, it has become more important than ever to refresh your Website and make sure that it is concise, informative and relevant.

Since a website is one of the most cost-effective ways to disseminate core information about your business – keeping your site tidy and up-to-date is essential for your success.

Web Hosting (the storing of your site on “servers” that keep your site live) can be notoriously overpriced. I would suggest that you look carefully at your plan and see if you can save some money there.

If you think you are being overcharged for web hosting, contact us and we’ll take a look.

Start A Blog

If you want your Business to have it’s own voice on the Internet, then setting up a Blog is the fastest, easiest way to get started.

Even with no marketing budget at all, you can set up a free hosted Blog at Wordpress.com.

So, you are only making excuses for yourself if you are saying “I can’t afford to be on the Internet”.

You can’t afford FREE??

Evaluate Your Message

Surely every small business owner knows how important it is to stand out with memorable marketing messages.

But as things become even more competitive, you’ll need to step up quickly – and have something NEW to say today; preferably something relevant to the current economic climate.

Just remain focused on your customers, and adjust your advertising to address their current interests and needs.

Look at your core marketing message: what are you really saying to your clients and customers?

Get Some Social Media Buzz

Twitter, Facebook, Stumble, Digg…

There are seemingly endless varieties of social media networks that help get you some media buzz FAST.

If it is true that over half of the global internet population visits social networks, then why would you NOT use one of these free social media tools?

Network Like Crazy

Rather than complain about “how slow business is”, why not use any extra time to network with other small business owners in your area.

Reaching out and being helpful in these difficult times can generate a lot of positive feedback for your business.

Get it right the first time.

Build long-term relationships with your customers, and this will increase your sales while reducing your customer acquisition costs.

And what could be better than that!

Marketing is about getting customers and keeping customers.

Initially we take up this task by getting our Business onto the World Wide Web.

However in addition to a well designed Website or Blog, a Mini DVD or CD-ROM Brochure can add the much needed credibility and buzz your business needs to attract new customers.

What is a Mini DVD/CD Brochure?

A Mini DVD/CD Brochure is a disc-based multimedia brochure used to market products and services.

It can include music, photographs, video, animation, voice-overs, and text.

Do Not Dismiss The Cool Factor

Most everyone has a DVD or CD-ROM drive on their office computer or home theater system, and a Shiny Mini Multimedia Disc can add a bit of surprise and novelty.

Your Mini Disc Brochure will stand out, and many people will at least be curious enough to give it a spin.

Fully Describe Your Product Or Service

A Mini DVD/CD brochure must give your prospect the information they need to determine if what you are offering is for them.

A multimedia disc gives you plenty of space to give as much information as you want. (A Mini DVD holds up to 1.4 GB of information)!

Draw up a list of your product or service features, and include benefits for each feature – just as you would for a printed brochure.

Create A Memorable Experience

Unlike a simple printed brochure, with a DVD you can add text, video, animation, music, and voice-overs to make your message much more memorable and compelling.

A DVD or CD-ROM allows you to tell a “story” about your business.

Stories sell!

Create Personal Connections

By printing your own DVDs and/or disc labels, you can completely customize each disc you send out.

By personalizing each disc, you can help make your message more powerful.

Get Prospects To Your Website and Filter Out Your Competitors

A Mini DVD or CD brochure is NOT meant to be a substitute for a well designed website.

However, a Mini Disc can be used as a means to get a prospect to your website as quickly and easily as possible.

One-click access to your website bypasses your competitors who might be found by doing a Google search for the product or service you offer.

You can also include printable order forms on your disc, and a direct link to your email address.

The bottom line is, DVDs and CDs have become powerful marketing tools for Small Business Owners.

Embrace the 21st century, and you can use them to promote your business!