Have you ever noticed how there are certain times of the year that make you feel energized for creating new business opportunities? Maybe for you it's the start of the New Year. Or it's springtime when new life starts popping up everywhere. Or maybe it's fall, when the weather cools down, and you begin concentrating on business after a busy summer.



Whatever your favorite season, putting forth your energy to give your business a kick-start should be something you do continually throughout the year. The only way to grow is to find ways to market your ideas to new groups of potential customers.

With the many marketing and advertising options available today, it really is a small businesses dream. With the Internet, you're no longer tied to advertising in expensive ways and with long term commitments. Instead, you can advertise in many ways, test your results, and make changes instantly.

To get you started, take a look at these five ideas.

1. Have you ever placed a several thousand-dollar ad in a magazine, and never received as much as a phone call. Ouch. It's hard wasting that kind of money as a small business owner. Instead, try the classified ads. Most trade publications and specialty magazines have classified ads in the back section. For under $100 you can usually place a good-sized ad. And you can change the wording around for every publication. Better yet, try marketplace ads online. Many publications also have an Internet presence, and will allow you to place an ad at a reduced cost.

2. Find message boards to post on. Message boards are a great resource. They're usually free, and you can put your information in front of thousands of viewers. Head to the search engines and search for message boards in your industry, or in a complimentary industry where you can find prospects for your business. The key to working a message board is to post on it regularly, and post quality information, not just a sales pitch. When people begin to rely on you, they will ask for your services.

3. When you find a great message board, see if you can advertise on it. Many message boards have banner placements along the sides. They use advertising to keep the message board free, and usually have low cost advertising rates.

4. Advertise in other ezines that reach the same audience as you. Check out www.DirectoryOfEzines.com to find thousands of ezines in every industry and subject matter.

5. When you find ezines that target the same audience as you, contact the owner. Other small business owners are also open to new ideas. Can you create a strategic partnership to sell products to both of your clients? Many great products have been created by two companies joining forces for one project.

As you try out each of these, be aware of other opportunities that present themselves to you. For instance, as you post on a message board, another member may mention a site that would be a perfect connection for your advertising. Always be open to opportunities, and you'll soon find yourself in many locations in the online world.