How to Advertise Scrapbooking for an Income

Guerilla Marketing Tactics

When you’re trying to start your own business and you have a limited amount of money to invest, it’s helpful to keep in mind the idea of guerilla marketing. Essentially, guerilla marketing involves thinking of creative and unconventional ways to promote your business. Instead of becoming discouraged because you can’t afford your own radio or television commercial, guerilla marketing helps you think of less expensive promotional solutions that are just as effective.

How to Advertise Scrapbooking for an Income

Advertising your scrapbook business on a tight budget requires developing a marketing plan that focuses on developing a Web presence as well as building awareness of your business within your local community.

Promoting Yourself Online

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be very tech-savvy, the Internet is a great way to advertise scrapbooking for an income. Options include:

• A business Web site: Today, the cornerstone of any successful home-based business is a strong online presence. If you want to create customized scrapbooks, having your own Web site is a necessity. You’ll be able to post general information about your business as well as sample pages and testimonials from previous satisfied clients.
• E-mail advertising: Don’t forget to include a brief advertisement for your business in your e-mail signature. This is a quick, easy, and completely free way to help promote awareness of your business!
• Forum and message board participation: Participating in online message boards and forums is a great way to establish yourself as an “expert” in the world of scrapbooking. Networking on boards that are filled with non-scrapbookers, such as sites for new mothers, is also useful when you’re wondering how to advertise scrapbooking for an income.

Get the Word Out

Although it may seem tempting to try to build your business by focusing exclusively on online customers, don’t overlook the possibilities that exist in your local community. For example:

• Casual conversation: Share your passion for scrapbooking! If you’re spotted taking pictures at your son’s baseball game or shopping for supplies for your daughter’s school album, take the opportunity to mention that you’re willing to create customized scrapbooks. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to keep a stack of business cards with your name and Web site address in your purse.
• Fliers: Design fliers on your home computer, then have them printed at a nearby copy shop. Post them wherever busy people tend to gather, such as supermarkets or daycare centers.
• Local craft shows: Craft shows can be a wonderful way to get your scrapbooking business off to a promising start. If you don’t have any pre-made albums to sell for people who simply want to add their own photos at a later date, fill your booth with sample pages and order forms for people who want to request a customized scrapbook.
• Local media outlets: If you can’t afford to advertise in your local newspaper, see if you can get yourself profiled as a new entrepreneur or a craft expert. This free publicity can go a long way towards boosting public awareness of your scrapbooking business.

Additional Resources

To learn more about promoting your own home business and how to advertise scrapbooking for an income, pick up one of the following helpful reference books:

• Small Business Marketing for Dummies by Barbara Findlay Schenck
• Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson
• Low-Budget Online Marketing for Small Business by Holly Berkley

LoveToKnow Business also has a variety of articles for aspiring entrepreneurs. For example:

• Marketing Tips
• Developing an Advertising Plan
• Advertising Online
• E-Mail Advertising