Free advertising possible for small businesses

Editor’s note: Michelle Stockman works with Little Rock-based Arkansas Capital Corp. to promote entrepreneurship development around the state. Stockman earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University-Chicago in communications and fine arts, and earned a master’s in entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University. Her thoughts on business success appear each week on The City Wire.



The internet has been a world changing resource that continues to revolutionize the way we interact with others and do business around the world. Almost every aspect of how business is managed has been touched by the Internet.

 It is no surprise that how companies engage in advertising has been dramatically changed even in the past two years.

Previously, creating a Web site, buying banner space advertising and sending out an electronic newsletter was all that was needed to create an “online presence.”



Now business need to be far more creative and use even more gorilla marketing tactics through the use of social networking sites, banner advertising, Web sites and more. Given the increasing speed by which information flows through this viral marketing, taking part in the “buzz” is important for many different industries.



For example, Josh invents a wireless entry system for your pet door that allows fido in and out while pests are unable to get in. Josh sets up a Web site for his newly formed business selling these wireless entry pet doors.

Josh’s Web site includes a pet care blog that is updated once a week and offers RSS subscription options so people can receive his blog information without searching for it every week. 

Josh also added videos of how the pet door works and he connects them to a You Tube account where millions are able to access the video.

Josh then begins a Twitter account where he is able to talk about his business and build a base of active readers of his “Tweets.”

Add to that, Josh creates a MySpace and Facebook account that connects to his business Web site. 

Josh is able to further grow his business/market audience, and all it cost him was the expense of creating his Web site and videos along with some time to spread consumer access to his products and information.

Josh has used the power of the Internet and its global marketplace to build his customer base to support his business.

Stockman can be reached at [email protected]