MY BUSINESS IDEA SUMMARY.

BUSINESS SUMMARY.

BUSINESS CONCEPT.

Our vision is to become the most visited, recognized and widely read online and print business and lifestyle magazine in Nigeria, Africa and the world by the year 2015 and beyond.

Our mission is as follows;

- to have one million registered online members by the year 2015,
- to provide creative and innovative solutions to the problems of small, medium and large enterprises in Nigeria and Africa through marketing and public relations,
- to reveal the great business opportunities in Nigeria and Africa,
- to make people in Nigeria and the world enjoy everything about Nigeria through our online and print magazine, THE NIGERIAN ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE, (www.tnemag.com).

Our would - be product is an online (internet) and print business and lifestyle magazine, which is titled, THE NIGERIAN ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE and WWW.TNEMAG.COM. It is a magazine which would reveal or expose the lifestyles of successful business men and women, so that young adults (Nigerian youths, who are our main target group), can learn from them and later start businesses of theirs. It would also be a magazine that would offer solutions to start-up and small business owners in Nigeria.

The main product/services we would offer for sale are advert spaces both on our online (internet) and print magazines. The online version of the magazine would be the main product in our first year of business and then we would publish the print version of the magazine in our second year of business.

CURRENT SITUATION.

We have a registered company with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (C.A.C) with our business name as BLUE FISH ENTERPRISES (BN 2175000) and the business is based in Lagos, Nigeria. For now the business is solely owned and will be run by my humble self, Okorafor Cheta Obi. There would be room to have a board of directors and re-register the company as a limited liability company with the C.A.C.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS.

Our marketing strategy is unique and revolutionary in the sense that we would be the first media company that rewards its registered users and readers in Nigeria. They would win cash rewards for regularly visiting and using our website and purchasing our print magazine.

Also, we would organize business seminar workshops for young adults and small business owners in Lagos, Enugu and Port- Harcourt and also run radio programs in popular radio stations. This would enable us reach our main target of having one million registered members and readers by the year 2015.

FINANCIAL SITUATION/NEEDS.

We are seeking funds/capital to start the business with a maximum amount of N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira) or $3,125 (three thousand and a hundred and twenty-five US dollars).

The money is needed to obtain the following items;

- laptop,
- website,
- internet connection,
- digital multimedia,
- external hard drive,
- advertisement,
- transportation,
- business insurance,
- stationery,
- other costs/utilities.

BUDGET PLAN.

The budget plan that determines the capital amount needed is as follows;

ITEMS                                                                                               COSTS(N).

1. Laptop                                                                                           60, 000

2. Website                                                                                        50, 000

3. Internet connection (3months)                                                      27, 500

4. Digital multimedia (3months)                                                           50, 000

5. External hard drive                                                                          15, 000

6. Advertisement (3months)                                                                60, 000

7. Transportation (3months)                                                                30, 000

8. Business Insurance                                                                       80, 000

9. Stationery                                                                                    10, 000

10. Other costs/utilities (3months)                                                   100, 000

TOTAL AMOUNT                                                 N482, 500.

PROJECTED INCOME REVENUE PLAN.

We would make money by the sale of advert spaces on our website and print magazine. We would also offer our monthly print magazine editions for sale.

FIRST YEAR.

Advert sales on website                                        N 4, 300, 000

Google ad sense earnings                                     N3,840, 000

TOTAL                                                                N8, 140, 000

SECOND YEAR

Advert sales on website                                          11, 400, 000

Advert sales on print version                                    15, 240, 000

Google ad sense earnings                                       8, 832, 000

Magazine (print) sales earnings(12,000 copies)         3,600, 000

TOTAL                                                               N 39, 072,000

THIRD YEAR                            

Advert sales on website                                        22, 200, 000

Advert sales on print version                                  15, 240, 00

Google ad sense earnings                                    13, 440, 000

Magazine (print) sales earnings(12,000 copies)       18, 000, 000

TOTAL                                                              N68,880,000.


STARTING BALANCE SHEET.

a. ASSETS:

Sales revenue income,
advert sales -----   N4, 300, 000
google ad sense ---- N3, 840, 000
TOTAL INCOME:   N8, 140, 000

Capital introduced ---------- N500, 000

b. CURRENT LIABILITIES.
- Purchases.
laptop  60,000
website   50,000
internet connection    81,500
external hard drive    15,000
stationery    40,000

TOTAL N246,000
- General expenses;
salaries (10% of total income)          814,000
sales promotion (10% of total income)          814,000
advertisement                              240,000
transportation                       120,000
tax(5% 0f total advert sales)    407,000
business insurance              80,000
digital multimedia(50,000*4)   200,000
other costs/utilities              400,000
TOTAL                   N3, 075,000

c, LONG TERM LIABILITIES.
Investment (loan) interest         N1, 595, 550.

d. Cash introduced -    total assets.
e. Drawings - total liabilities.


PROJECTED BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL/MAY 2013.

                                                                               N
ASSETS                                    

Capital introduced                                              500, 000

Income sales                                                  8, 140, 000

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Purchases                                                        246, 500

General expenses                                          3, 075, 000

LONGTERM  LIABILITIES

Loan interest                                                1, 595, 550

                                                                  3, 722, 950

Cash introduced                                          8, 640, 000

Less Drawings                                            4, 917, 050

                                                                 3, 722, 950

PROJECTED THREE YEARS PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT.

                               YEAR 1 (N).                 YEAR 2 ( N )             YEAR 3 ( N ).                                                   

SALES INCOME    8, 140, 000                39, 072, 000               68, 880, 000

Capital introduced      500, 000                  3, 722, 950               19, 249, 265

Cost of goods sold                                       2, 400, 000               12, 000, 000                         

GROSS PROFIT     8, 640, 000                 40, 394, 950               76, 129, 265

OVERHEADS                                    

Office space/rent                                      700, 000

Laptop/computers      60, 000                     120, 000                       420, 000

Website                     50, 000                       50, 000                         50, 000

Internet                     81, 500                      189, 500                       379, 000

Digital multimedia     200, 000

External hard drive     15, 000

Salaries/wages       814, 000                    2, 880, 000                  13, 200, 000

Furniture/fittings                                       250, 000                       700, 000                                      

Advertisements     240, 000                         800, 000                   1, 200, 000

Sales promotion    814, 000                      3, 907, 200                   6, 888, 000

Transportation      120, 000                         600, 000                   1, 200, 000

Tax                        407, 000                      1, 953, 600                  3, 444, 000

Insurance                 80, 000                          525, 700                 2, 140, 000

Stationery                40, 000                          120, 000                     200, 000

Other costs            400, 000                         800, 000                  1, 200, 000

                             3, 321, 500                    12, 896, 000               31, 021, 000
Operating profit   5, 318, 500                  27, 498, 950               45, 108, 265

INTEREST EXPENSE                      

Investment interest  1, 595, 550               8, 249, 685              13, 532, 480

NET PROFIT      3, 722, 950                      19, 249, 265              31, 575, 785

PROJECTED THREE YEAR BALANCE SHEET.

                              YEAR 1(N)           YEAR 2 (N)            YEAR 3 (N).
ASSETS                                    

Capital introduced       500, 000                 3, 722, 950              19, 249, 265

Income sales              8, 140, 000              39, 072, 000              68, 880, 000

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Purchases                     246, 500                    729, 500                 1, 749, 000

General expenses     3, 075, 000               14, 566, 500               41, 272, 000

LONGTERM  LIABILITIES

Loan interest           1, 595, 550                  8, 249, 685               13, 532, 480

                               3, 722, 950            19, 249, 265        31, 575, 785

Cash introduced     8, 640, 000               42, 794, 950               88, 129, 265

Less Drawings        4, 917, 050                23, 545, 685               56, 553, 480

                              3, 722, 950             19, 249, 265        31, 575, 785

PROJECTED THREE YEAR CASH FLOW STATEMENT.

                               YEAR 1 (N)         YEAR 2 (N)            YEAR 3 (N)

RECEIPTS

Invoiced sales        8, 140, 000             39, 072, 000                  68, 880, 000

Capital introduced     500, 000               3, 722, 950                  19, 249, 265

                              8, 640, 000       42, 794, 950          88, 129, 265

PAYMENTS

Running costs         3, 321, 500             15, 296, 000                   43, 021, 000

Loan payments        1, 595, 550              8, 249, 685                   13, 532, 480

                               4, 917, 050      23, 545, 685           56, 553, 480

NET CASH FLOW 3, 722, 950      19, 249, 265          31, 575, 785

OPENING BANK

CLOSING BANK   3, 722, 950      19, 249, 265          31, 575, 785

PROJECTED THREE YEAR PROFITABILITY RATIOS.

                            YEAR 1(N)      YEAR 2 (N)        YEAR 3 (N)
a. Net profit as % of sales     46%                 49%                        46%

b. R.O.I (Return on investment) 86%                90%                        72%

c. Gross profit as % of sales     106%                103%                      110%

e. Current ratio (asset/liabilities)  1.8               1.8                          1.6

LOAN PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT.

Capital needed to start the business is N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira ) or $3, 125 ( three thousand and a hundred and twenty - five U.S dollars at an exchange rate of N160 to 1 USD).

Thirty percent (30%) of the operating profit (profit after overheads/expenses), would be set aside for the board of directors to share. This is an equity style investment on a 60:40 ratio. 60% for the business idea owner and 40% for the capital/fund provider.

Any individual who wants to quit the equity business arrangement, his or her shares would be bought out by the other party.

Budget 2012 reflects FG stance on cassava bread.

It is now clear that the decision by the federal government to make Nigerians adopt 40 percent cassava bread is one that government is very serious about, the Nigerian Budget 2012 presented Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan has confirmed.

According to the budget, government is introducing policies to encourage the substitution of high quality cassava flour for wheat flour in bread-baking, bakeries will have 18 months in which to make the transition, and will enjoy a corporate tax incentive March 31st 2012, importation of cassava flour will be prohibited so as to further support this programme.

It would be recalled only recently, President Goodluck Jonathan formally presented to Nigerians a loaf of bread made from 40 per cent cassava flour, with a promise that he would continue to consume the brand in office as president and that government would put policy in place to drive the project. “All equipment for processing of high quality cassava flour and composite flour blending will enjoy a duty free regime as incentive to bakers for composite flour utilization.

Consultations with the sector to ensure a smooth transition are on-going,” President Jonathan said. He argued it is common wisdom that the best way we can grow our economy and create jobs for our people is for us to patronize Nigerian-made goods. “This is why we are introducing enabling policies to drive this process. In this regard, we are introducing fiscal policy measures that will encourage the purchase and utilization of locally produced commodities.”

The president said from July, 2012, wheat flour would attract a levy of 65 percent to bring the effective duty to 100 percent, while wheat grain will attract a 15 percent levy which will bring the effective duty to 20 percent. President Jonathan said government “intends to process and add value to different crops such as rice, cassava, sorghum, oil palm, cocoa, cotton etc. “This approach is central to our transformation strategy.

Accordingly, this Administration has adopted enabling measures to support the development of private sector-driven marketing institutions, and push for policies that would promote our agriculture to create jobs. To unleash the potential of this sector, the Federal Ministry of Finance has put in place a mechanism to share risks with the banking sector by guaranteeing 70 percent of the principal of all loans made for supply of seeds and fertilizer by the private sector this season.

In addition, to get the inputs to farmers at an affordable cost, we are subsidizing the interest rate on these loans to bring it down from 15 percent to 7 percent per annum. The Minister of Agriculture and the Central Bank are collaborating to extend these services for credit availability for the medium term.”

He said government would introduce further fiscal policy measures to support the development of the agricultural sector. “In this respect, the duty on machinery and certain specified equipment for the sector will, effective January 31, 2012, attract zero duty. We will further look at supportive fiscal policies for the rice and wheat sectors to stimulate domestic production,” he said.

 

NIGERIAN BUSINESS NEWS.

Why petroleum subsidy must go, by Jonathan

• 
  
• 
  
• 0
  Share

Despite the public outcry against the planned removal of fuel subsidy, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday insisted on its withdrawal. Funds saved from the removal will stimulate private sector investments to bridge infrastructure gap and create incentives for investment in refineries and the petroleum industry, the President said.
He spoke at the opening of a Presidential Retreat with the Private Sector on Economic Development and Job Creation at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
Explaining that the plan to remove petroleum subsidy was still at the proposal stage, the President said if it scaled through, the resources hitherto used as subsidy on the importation of petroleum products, would be invested in tangible infrastructure and provision of social safety nets to cushion the impact of the reforms.
According to him, discontinuing with the subsidy remained the only responsible way of harnessing revenue for capital stock formation, among others.
Jonathan said: “ There are proposals to phase out petroleum subsidies in a deliberate and responsible way that will harness revenues for capital stock formation and leverage on private sector investments in public-private partnerships (PPPs).”
His administration, he said, was also working with the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, adding that the government was intensifying its engagement with the lawmakers and other key stakeholders to agree on critical reforms to the fiscal regime for the oil and gas sector.
The latest move to withdraw the subsidy has attracted widespread condemnation from several quarters, especially the organised labour. Those opposed to the proposal argued that the policy would push up the prices of goods and make life unbearable for Nigerians.
Specifically, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) cautioned government against the withdrawal, threatening to call its members out to resist the policy.
On Wednesday, Senators mandated its committees to unmask the beneficiaries of the N1.2 trillion subsidy.
Senate President David Mark lamented that the subsidy was not reaching its targeted beneficiaries – the ordinary Nigerians.
Unveiling plans to overhaul the external trade and tariff policies, Jonathan said it was important to promote domestic industries by protecting them from unfair trade practices.
The country, he said, must also adopt a more responsive tariff policy which recognises the limitations of an over-extensive prohibition list. To ensure responsible fiscal policies, Jonathan said the Federal Government would strive to keep fiscal deficit below three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
There will be a deliberate and systemic reduction of domestic borrowing by government. Jonathan said the government was accelerating the implementation of key trade, tariff and customs reforms mostly to improve the domestic investment environment to achieve this, eh said.
He said: “Accordingly, in line with the government’s commitment to ensure good and responsible fiscal policies, we are committed to maintaining the fiscal deficit at below three per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the life of this administration.
“In this regard, we need to arrive at more effective trade and tariff policies that facilitate the creation of local businesses and jobs.
“We are determined to accelerate the implementation of the 48-hour ports clearance reforms, improve the efficiency of the Nigeria Customs Service and other related agencies, and reduce the incentives for smuggling.”
Speaking of the formidable challenges for achieving these developmental objectives, the President added for achieving some of the fiscal, monetary and other risks that the country must mitigate were becoming more apparent.
Jonathan said: “As evidenced by our strong economic growth in recent times, our nation has been resilient to the global economic downturn. However, we face formidable challenges ahead in charting a course towards the achievement of our developmental objectives outlined in this administration’s economic transformation blueprint.
Explaining the importance of the retreat, Jonathan said: “Our historical over-reliance on oil revenue has hampered the growth of the non-oil sectors of our economy.
“I am happy to inform you that this administration is committed to reversing this trend by implementing targeted interventions to boost non-oil and real sector productivity.
“For instance, under the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan, efforts are underway to improve the productivity, yield and competiveness of key agricultural commodities with significant export potential.
“By harnessing the value chains in the production of cocoa, groundnut, oil palm and rice, as well as for cotton, cassava and sorghum, we will conserve billions of dollars in foreign exchange that would otherwise have been spent on imports.
‘We will equally reverse the unsustainable food importation process, which has fuelled domestic inflation. And in effect, improve our national food security position; and unleash the sector’s potentials for employment generation and wealth creation.”

SMALL BUSINESS FASHION.

Business casual attire 

When to dress business casual

Some career fairs and job fairs — attire should be specified on the website or other promotional materials for each fair. Note that some fairs suggest or require interview attire. Do your research in advance.
Most employer information sessions. These are typically evening sessions held the day prior to an employer's first interview day on campus. Information sessions held in a classroom on campus or conducted as a presentation to a large group don't require you to be quite as strict in your attire as a reception-type event. Some employer information sessions are conducted as receptions on or off campus, perhaps in a hotel facility. In some cases interview attire, or business attire which is more formal than business casual may be called for. This can depend on the industry and the type of employer hosting the event. If you are in doubt, ask the employer before attending.
The invitation, flyer or notice says to. A no-brainer!
When in doubt, ask the host / sponsor about attire for a function you will be attending. It is never wrong to politely inquire about appropriate attire.

Business casual guidelines for men and women

Business casual is crisp, neat, and should look appropriate even for a chance meeting with a CEO. It should not look like cocktail or party or picnic attire. Avoid tight or baggy clothing; business casual is classic rather than trendy.
Basics:
Khaki or dark pants, neatly pressed, and a pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt are safe for both men and women. Women can wear sweaters; cleavage is not business-appropriate (despite what you see in the media). Polo/golf shirts, unwrinkled, are appropriate IF you know the environment will be quite casual, outdoors or in a very hot location. This may not seem like terribly exciting attire, but you are not trying to stand out for your cutting edge look, but for your good judgment in a business environment.
Shoes / belt:
Wear a leather belt and leather shoes. Athletic shoes are inappropriate.
Cost / quality:
You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. However, do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job for a business casual environment or occasions.
Details:
Everything should be clean, well pressed, and not show wear. Even the nicest khakis after 100 washings may not be your best choice for a reception. Carefully inspect new clothes for tags, and all clothes for dangling threads, etc. (as with interview attire).
Use common sense.
If there are six inches of snow on the ground and/or you are rushing to get to an information session between classes and you left home 12 hours earlier, no one will expect you to show up looking ready for a photo shoot — they'll just be happy you made it. Just avoid wearing your worst gym clothes and jeans. If you show up at an event and realize you're not as well dressed as you should be, make a quick, pleasant apology and make a good impression with your interpersonal skills and intelligent questions.

Specifics for men's business casual

Ties:
Ties are generally not necessary for business casual, but if you are in doubt, you can wear a tie. It never hurts to slightly overdress; by dressing nicely, you pay a compliment to your host. You can always wear the tie and discreetly walk by the room where the function is held; if no one else is wearing a tie, you can discreetly remove yours. (Then put it in your bookbag or other discreet place. Don't stuff it in your pocket and let part of it hang out.)
Shirts:
Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved and are appropriate even in summer. Choosing white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes is your safest bet. Polo shirts (tucked in, of course) are acceptable in more casual situations.
Socks:
Wear dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.
Shoes:
Leather shoes should be worn. No sandals, athletic shoes or hiking boots.
Facial hair:
Just as with interviews: Facial hair, if worn, should be well-groomed. Know your industry and how conservative it is; observe men in your industry if you are unsure what's appropriate or are considering changing your look.
Jewelry:
Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries, don't wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is acceptable.
Watches/cell phones/checking the time:
If you use your cell phone as a watch, just be careful that you don't look like you're taking calls/texts while speaking with employers. Your attention should be directed on the people with whom you are physically present. Be discreet when checking time; frequent checking sends the message that you are bored.

Specifics for women's business casual

Don't confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a club, you probably shouldn't wear it in a business environment. Also, most attire worn on televison is not appropriate for business environments. Don't be deluded.
Pants / skirts:
Women can wear casual pants or skirts. Neither should be tight. Fabrics should be crisp; colors should generally be solid; navy, black, gray, brown and khaki are always safe bets. For the most business-like appearance, pants should be creased and tailored; neither extreme of tight or flowing. If you are pursuing a conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well-dressed women in your industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc.
Skirt length and slits:
Your skirt should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee. Generally slits in the center back of a skirt — to facilitate walking a stair climbing — are acceptable. Slits to facilitate a view of your legs are not appropriate for business purposes. Slips should not be visible.
Shirt / sweaters:
In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets are appropriate business casual choices for women. Cotton, silk, and blends are appropriate. Velvets and shimmery fabrics suitable for parties are not appropriate. Fit should not be tight. Cleavage is not appropriate to business and job search occasions.
Jewelry / accessories:
Wear a conservative watch. Jewelry and scarf styles come and go. Keep your choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and color. If your industry is creative, you may have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry.
Cosmetics:
Keep makeup conservative and natural looking. A little is usually better than none for a polished look. Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremes of nail length and polish color, especially in conservative industries.
Shoes:
Should be leather or fabric / microfiber. Appropriate colors are black, navy, brown, tan, taupe (to coordinate with your other attire and accessories); white and pastels are not appropriate. For the most conservative look, toes should be covered. Sandals which are neither extremely dressy nor extremely casual might be appropriate. Thin straps and spike heels are not appropriate. Chunky heels and platforms are not apropriate. Your choices reflect your judgment. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes; hobbling around a job fair in shoes that are pinching your feet does not convey a professional image and does not convey good judgment.
Hose:
Not essential for business casual, but are recommended if your skirt is knee length (rather than calf length) and in more formal environments such as hotels. Climate and weather can be a factor. Hose may not be expected in hot climates/weather and in less conservative industries. Hose may be expected in more conservative industries. All your choices send a message about your judgment; if the weather is extremely cold/snowy/icey, and you wear a skirt with bare legs, you won't look like you have good judgment.
Purse / bag:
If you carry a purse, keep it simple, or carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag in place of a purse. A structured bag tends to look more professional than something soft or floppy. Purse/bag color should coordinate with your shoes. A briefcase is certainly not necessary for most business casual events. Leather, microfiber and fine wovens are appropriate. Casual canvas and straw are not appropriate.

Grooming tips for men and women

Hair:
Should be clean and neat.
Shoes:
Should be in polished condition.  Make sure heels are not worn.
Details:
No missing buttons, no lint; and don’t forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes.
Hands:
Clean fingernails.
Fit:
Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly, neither tight nor baggy.
Smell:
Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all.
No odors on clothes.
Don't smell like smoke.
Padfolios:
Preferred over a bulky briefcase. A small briefcase is also appropriate, but if you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't; you risk looking silly.
Bookbags / backpacks / totes you carry on campus:
Appropriate to carry to an information session held on campus, depending in time and location and the employer's instructions about attire (after all, you are a student). For career fairs and job fairs on campus, bulky backpacks are sometimes checked at the door (it's too crowded for people to be bumping into others with backpacks), and you should carry a padfolio only. Consider the industry and type of event in choosing what to carry.
It's preferable not to carry a backpack to an event held at a hotel.

 

75 Big Marketing Ideas for Small Marketing Budgets

 Don’t have a six-figure marketing budget like the “big boys” to throw around?  Worry not my friends you can still go big without breaking the bank.

Here are 75 big marketing ideas you can begin implementing today to grow your business regardless of the size of your marketing budget. Many of these can be done with little to no money, and will cost you nothing more than a bit of your time.

1) Get Active on Twitter

It takes just a few minutes to make a contribution to Twitter and making this a part of your daily business routine is a steady way to build up a network of followers interested in your area of industry.

2) Start a Blog

This needn’t be an everyday thing but posting to a blog a couple of times a week is a way to keep in touch with your customers and to convey more about your business and the market in which you operate to your potential clients.

3) Blog Commenting

Contribute to the conversations on blogs by bloggers in the same niche in which you operate.

4) Forum Discussions

Find and sign up to forums on a related topic to your business. Actively take part and get to know your fellow posters. Try searching for “Your Topic + Forum” in Google to find relevant conversations.

5) Register Your Business with Google Local

Google has been offering local businesses a chance to register their business address and phone number in its local listings for some time

6) Register Your Products or Services with Google Merchant

Another helpful and free service from the search giant, Google Merchant is a place for businesses to upload a data feed which includes products or services.

7) Make Your Business Cards Memorable

Choose a design that stands out. Here are 51 creative business card ideas to get you started thinking creatively.

8). Consider Paid Search

Google AdWords is the largest sponsored search result program. While this marketing channel isn’t free, it does fall under budget marketing ideas for new businesses simply because you are able to manage it yourself within a small budget.

9) Build a Basic Reward Scheme

Offer an exclusive incentive to your regular customers which will help the business retain customers and win new ones.

10) Improve Customer Service

Many forget that customer service is a form of advertising. You’re advertising that you care, and that gets noticed.

11) Let Customers Know You Appreciate Them

Customers who feel appreciated are going to give the love right back in the form of loyalty. Send them and email, make a call, interact with them any way you see fit. Just let them know they are important.

12) Become Vain

Do you know what your customers are saying about you online? Get vain, and search for yourself! Then, respond to your customers.

13) Don’t Forget Current Customers

We’ve all heard the old adage that it’s easier to keep an existing customer than win a new one. But it may also be worth going through your list of older inactive customers and trying to reactivate a few of the better ones. Give them a call, tell them you value them, ask what it will take to get them back. You might be surprised at how simple or low-cost it is. If they say no thanks, consider it a learning opportunity and wish them the best. Then call them back in a year and ask again.

14) Article Marketing

Write expert articles and submit them to sites such as Ezinearticles.com. Here is  a list of the top 50 article directories, ranked by Alexa. Get writing!

15) Advertise on Yourself

Make some simple t-shirts with your company name and website on them, wear them around town

16) Advertise on Someone Else

Check out guys like iwearyourshirt.comfor a fun, creative, and realtively cheap way to get your company seen.

17) Add your Business to a Review Site

Adding your business to a review site such as Feedback Jar can help put you in touch with customers.

18) Email Signature

Use every email as a way to promote yourself and your business.

19) Social Networks

There is a social network for every niche. Join one and start networking.

20) Leave Biz Cards

You’ve followed #7 above, now don’t just leave those cards in your pocket! Give them out, to anyone, everywhere.  Heck, just leave them laying around, or in library books, or anywhere your customers may see them.

21) Postcards on Windshields

Easy and cheap to print, place them under windshields at parking lots. The more creative your card the more they’ll get noticed.

22) Flyers on Community Boards

Community cork boards are everywhere. Try putting up a flier or two on these boards…cheap and easy, and you never know who will read them.

23) Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce

A local chamber can be a great way to get your business out in the community for very little cash outlay. Chambers offer programs and services free for their members, and oftentimes refer business to chamber members.

24) Give a Talk at an Event

Any chance you get to get in front of a group and show your expertise – do it!

25) Send Special Deals to Your Newsletter List

Give your newsletter subscribers even more value by offering a “Newsletter only” deal.

26) Don’t Have a Newsletter List?

Get one…

27) Give it Away for Free

If your product or service rocks – it’s your best advertising. Give it away for free, for a limited time of course, then charge when they can’t live without it.

28) Have a “Weird” Sale

Read about a guy who ran a pretty successful “I just broke my foot so you get 25% off sale”. The key here is to keep it fun, and get people talking about it.

29) Ask Your Customers for Referrals

Don’t be shy, come right out and solicit referrals from happy customers. They will be happy to tell their friends about you.

30) Give’mSomething to Give

Put something in the hands of your happy customers they can give to somebody else. Free samples, a “refer a friend” coupon. Build a small army of happy customers to help you spread the word.

31) And While Your Giving

Don’t forget to always give’ em the pickle.

32) Free Classifieds

Use free classified ad servicesto promote your product or service. Aside from big online classified ads (Craigslist), there may be other free options specific to your geographical area, maybe even some free inclusions in local print media. Do some Google searches and see what is available in your hometown.

33) Reciprocity Advertising

Talk to local business owners and explore cross promotion you may be able to do with them. They are probably in the same boat as you, and would be willing to work out a “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” type of marketing campaign.

34) Barter

You may think of bartering as particularly “old school”, but there is no reason you can’t trade a product or service with another business in exchange for some marketing opportunities. Trading an hour of your consulting time, or a couple free products to a local business who is willing then to plug you in their newsletter or mailings could result in a better deal than paying out of pocket for the same marketing. Start with the barter directory, and go from there.

35) Write a Press Release

Write your own press release and submit it to the appropriate channels. If what you’re doing is particularly newsworthy, send it to local media. Also submit your press release to the free services online.

36) Networking

Scout out free networking events in your area, you’d be surprised how many “meet-ups” there are. Not only are they a great way to get out of the house, but think of every networking event as a mini-marketing campaign. Use MeetUp.com to scan for opportunities near you.

37) Organize a Meet Up

Not seeing a meet up that meets your needs? Organize one.

38) Link Exchange with Other Businesses

Offer link exchanges on related business websites where your link will add value to their visitors, and their link will add value to your visitors.

39) Cross Promote

Like a link exchange, but more in depth. Set up a cross promotion with another business. For example if you sell pencils, find a business that sells paper and work out a deal to send each other business.

40) Develop a “Niche Discount” That You Get Known For

I read about a guy who gives a “Laugh Discount” – a small % off if a customer can make him laugh within X minutes of meeting him.

41) Guest Post on Blogs

Expand your reach and audience. Use a service like MyGuestBlog to find blogs looking for guest articles. Or guest post with us.

42) Publish a Free Report or White Paper

Put out a free report related to what you do on your website, or distribute it to those in your target market. A report is a great way to get your name out there, show your expertise, and best of all these reports tend to get shared. Also, use the free report as an incentive to subscribe to your newsletter email list.

43) Encourage Sharing

Once you have a free report to give out, better than waiting for it to get shared, build in some encouragement to do so. Offer a deal if they share it with “X” number of people.

44) Make a Helpful YouTube Video

Video is pretty easy to produce now, and nobody expects it to look like Scorsese directed it, so put up a couple helpful videos explaining how to use one of your products or how we can benefit from your service. Better yet, answer a common question about what you do, or solve a problem in your video, it will get shared if you’re good.

45) Video Testimonials / Interviews

Better than just you on video ask some satisfied customers to take part in an interview where they talk about you and what you do. This is the best social proof that you don’t suck.

46) Partner With Another Business to Give Away a Prize

Don’t have the money to give away much on your own?  How about partnering with a complimentary business to give away a great prize and getting some great advertising for the two of you?  Then figure out a way where both of your customers can enter for a chance to win!

47) Sponsor an Event

Cheaper than you think, and sponsoring a local event can really give you a lot for your money.

48) Use Your Friends and Family

Ask friends and family to spread the word about your business.

49) Print a Coupon on the Back of Your Business Card.

People rarely use their business cards as a form of advertising. But if you want to have people remember you, or actually use their service, why not put something on your card to encourage their business…you’re giving those cards out anyway, right?

50) Join and Attend Professional Groups

Join a couple professional groups. These don’t have to be related to your niche, they could be something you want to get better at (such as Toastmasters), or an area of interest. You’ll meet other professionals, and who knows what those contacts will turn into.

51) Newsletter Cross-Promotion

Buddy up with another business and do some cross promotion in your newsletters. Again, you’ll want to be complimentary businesses to each other for this to really work.

52) Do Something Different

Write down everything you and your competitors have in common, then come up with one thing you can do differently than them – then do that.

53) Start an Affiliate Program

Use a service like Shareasale.com to start your own affiliate program. Offer a nice commission and people will be happy to sell your products/services.

54) Ask for Testimonials & Use Them!

Ask for testimonials from existing clients. Good testimonials are perfect for your web page and promotional items. Don’t just ask for testimonials and then let them sit. Put those things on everything you do – website, advertising, handouts, newsletters, etc.

55) Send Promotional Items

Send out invoices to your clients?  Why not send them a small promo gift to go along with it?  You never know where those pens will end up.

56) Join a Social Networking Site For Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Here are 40 such networking sites, take a look and find one that suits you and your business. Then get using it.

57) Pull a Publicity Stunt

Are you the creative type? Not shy in front of crowds?  Try a memorable, creative, or weird publicity stunt!

58) Hold a Webinar

Creating live, online seminars or webinars is relatively easy these days. Why not hold a webinar relating to your expertise, then promote it as a freebie or special benefit to current customers or to attract new customers?

59) Offer a Guarantee

It’s been shown that guarantees result in more sales.  Make an iron clad guarantee, or better yet offer a guarantee that is outlandish and gets noticed…but if ever called on it, be sure you hold up your end of the bargain.

60) Get Reviewed

Use ReviewMe.com to get reviewed.

61) Become an Expert on Q/A Sites

Jump on a Q&A site and be helpful, answer questions related to what you do, become a trusted expert. These should get you going:

• Yahoo Answers
• Wiki Answers
• LinkedIn Answers
• Mahalo Answers

62) Donate to a Charity Auction

Charity auctions are constantly in need of things to auction off and raise money with in the process. You’ll feel good about your donation, and get your name out there.

63) Do a Memorable Giveaway

Local tire sellers Les Schwab has a “Free Beef” event every year. Buy tires, and get free beef – what does one have to do with the other? Your guess is as good as mine, but it gets people talking and that has been a very popular sale for many years now.

64) Go to a Trade Show

If you can find one in your niche – great!  If not, go and talk to people…you just never know who will need what you sell.

65) Use your 404 Error Page

You know that “404 Error Page” you get on a website when it can’t find what you were looking for?  Well, you can customize that page to say whatever you want. So instead of your visitor seeing “Hey sorry you’re lost”, have it say “Sorry you didn’t find what you’re looking for here’s 10% coupon off our services to make up for it”.

66) Surprise Upgrade ala Zappos

Why not “upgrade” a customer out of the blue sometime? Completely make their day, make them feel special, and they will tell everybody they know. It worked for Zappos…

67) Use Your “Thank You” Page

When someone signs up for your online newsletter they are taken to a thank you page. Customize this page to offer them something of value, give them a deal, coupon, whatever – just use the space creatively!

68) Use Someone Else’s “Thank you Page”

Chances are other website owners haven’t thought about using their own thank you page to promote something. Why not offer to buy some add space on their page? It will probably be cheap, and as long as there are some synergies between your businesses it can be effective.

69) Create a  Podcast

Podcast can be quick, easy, fun, and FREE to produce. Here’s how to get startedPodcasting

70) SEO Your Website

Making sure your potential clients can find you is important. Take a few minutes to make sure your site is SEO’ed. Here’s 9 tips to get you started.

71) Know you USP

What is your unique selling proposition? You first need to know why people should buy from you. Once you do, you’ll have no problem telling them.

72) Create an Elevator Speech

In 30 seconds or less can you tell me what you do, what makes you special, and why I should care?  That’s your elevator speech. Think about how many times you are asked what you do, the better you get at explaining it the more customers you will get – easy as that.

73) Sponsor a Local Youth Team

When I was 6 my soccer team was sponsored by the local Uhaul. Almost 30 years later I still remember that…30 years from now some grown up kids could remember your business, and their parents could have been using your business.

74) Place Google Ads for Influential People You Want to Meet

Do what this guy did to get a job, but replace the names with people you want as clients. 

75) Your Turn

Put the 75th idea in our comments below.

Aliko Dangote.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote (born April 10, 1957) is a businessman based in Nigeria. He is the owner of the Dangote Group, which has operations in Nigeria and several other countries in Africa, including Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia. A wealthy supporter of erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo and the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), Dangote controls much of Nigeria's commodities trade through his corporate and political connections. With an estimated current net worth of around US$ 13.8 billion, he was ranked by Forbes as one of the richest Nigerian citizens^[4] and richest person of African descent in the world toppling Mohammed Al Amoudi ($12.3 billion) and Oprah Winfrey ($2.7 billion.)

Business career.

The Dangote Group, originally a small trading firm founded in 1977, is now a multi-trillion naira conglomerate with operations in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. Dangote's businesses include food processing, cement manufacturing, and freight. The Dangote Group dominates the sugar market in Nigeria: it is the major sugar supplier to the country's soft drink companies, breweries, and confectioners. Dangote Group has moved from being a trading company to Nigeria's largest industrial group, including Dangote Sugar Refinery (the most capitalized company on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, valued at over US$3 billion with Aliko Dangote's equity topping US$2 billion), Africa's largest Cement Production Plant: Obajana Cement, Dangote Flour amongst others.

Dangote played a prominent role in the funding of Obasanjo’s re-election campaign in 2003, to which he contributed over N200 million (US$2M). He gave N50 million (US$0.5M) to the National Mosque under the aegis of "Friends of Obasanjo and Atiku", and contributed N200 million to the Presidential Library. These controversial gifts to members of the ruling People's Democratic Party have contributed to concerns over continued graft despite highly-publicized anti-corruption drives during Obasanjo's second term.^{[citation needed]}

On 23 May 2010, England's Daily Mirror newspaper reported that Dangote was interested in buying a 16 percent stake in Premiership side Arsenal belonging to Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith. Dangote later denied these rumours.

Dangote Group.

The Dangote Group is currently the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest in Africa. It generated revenue in excess of US$1.25 billion 2005. The group is one of the leading diversified business conglomerates in Africa. It employs in excess of 11,000 people.

Overview

The Dangote Group is a diversified conglomerate, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, with interests across a range of sectors in Africa. Current interests include cement, sugar, flour, salt, pasta, beverages and real estate, with new projects in development in the oil and Natural gas, telecommunications, fertilizer and steel. The Group focuses on provision of local, value-added products and services that meet the needs of the African population. Dangote Cement, the largest cement production company in Africa, with a market capitalization of almost US$14 billion on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, has subsidiaries in Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia.^[2] In December 2010, the group signed an agreement with the Government of Zambia to construct a US$400 million cement plant in Zambia. Once completed in June 2013, as anticipated, the new plant is expected to have an annual output of 1.5 million metric tonnes of cement.

Subsidiary companies.

The Dangote Group includes the following subsidiaries, among others:

1. ALCO International Limited
2. Dangote Nigeria Limited
3. Dangote Transport Limited
4. Dangote Cement Plc. - Listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange
5. National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc. - Listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange
6. Dangote Flour Mills Plc. - Listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange
7. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. - Listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange
8. Dangote Oil & Gas Industries International
9. Dangote Textiles Limited
10. Dangote Holdings Limited
11. Blue Star Limited
12. Dansa Foods Limited
13. Dansa Food Processing Limited
14. Dancom Technologies
15. GreenView International Company Limited - Has invested US$28+ million in cement factory in Ghana.
16. Sephaku Cement Limited - Dangote Group has 64% shareholding in this South African cement company.
17. Alheri Engineering Limited
18. Kura Holdings Limited