Enterprise Nation

Being self employed you have to wear many hats - you have to be the boss, the accountant, marketing department and web designer. Some things you are able to outsource, but when you're starting out you probably don't have the means.

No matter how great your service or product is, without marketing no one will know it exists. Below are some cost effective ways to help get you and your product the recognition it deserves.

Networking 2.0

With the hustle and bustle of getting your business up and running, it can be hard to get out to networking events - especially if you have other commitments on top of work, like a family. Social media has become the best way to get your name out, and make connections while still in the comfort of your own office.

Just like with an "in person" networking event, social media is only beneficial if you actually communicate and actively participate. When it comes to Twitter and Facebook make sure you are staying in the conversation, and are following people in the same industry. You can be amazed at all of the information you will be exposed to.

Your website

If you don't have a website, you may want to start thinking about one. It doesn't have to have the latest in web design. It could simply have contact information and a quick overview of your business and what it offers. Having a website can be a lot like a business card—just with more information.

If you aren't a web design guru don't worry, there are plenty of great free designs you can use floating around on the Internet. You can always upgrade your site later in the game, quality before quantity.

Great Service

Everyone feels they have great service, so you need to point out why your service is different than others. Figure out how you can set yourself apart from the competition and make a point to sell that point.

Sending out press releases is also a great way for the media to pick up your service or product. There are slews of free press release distribution companies as well as paid services. Find out what your budget is and start writing.

You may not have a marketing degree, but being able to actively engage in networking events (online or off) and accentuating your best talents is a great start. Deciding what kind of marketing tactics work for you will be a great start, so it is alright to make a few mistakes - you will learn from them.

Shannon Suetos is an expert writer on POS systems based in San Diego, California. She writes extensively for an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs such as point of sale systems at Resource Nation.

Photo credit: elvis_payne