Advertising on-line for Free
One way that people look for products is to search for an item on the Internet. Getting your own website could be costly if you are not clear on what you want; it also needs to be maintained to be meaningful, so you have to keep the information on there up to date. A method of getting your name on the Internet without having your own website is to add information about your business to an existing Internet business directory. Some examples for the forestry sector are:
Woodlots: http://www.woodnet.org.uk/woodlots/
This is a directory that started in Kent and East Sussex and is spreading across the region. Advertising is free for classified adverts – (as at December 2008), adverts are entered both in the hardcopy directory and on the Woodlots website. Contact woodlots@woodnet.org.uk for further information.
Coppice Products: www.coppice-products.co.uk
This directory is managed by the Greenwood Centre (now part of the Small Woods Association). It is free of charge and allows coppice workers to add contact and product information. The search facility allows you to search by product or by coppice craftsman. Although sponsored by Hampshire county Council, it contains details of businesses across Britain.
Allotment Forestry: www.allotmentforestry.com/directnew.htm
This is contains a county by county directory of woodland craft businesses which can also be seen on a regional basis. It is free to register your business and is aimed at small woodland businesses using locally cut timber. Look at existing entries in the directory to see how you can differentiate yourself from the other advertisers and ensure you give appropriate product information. Add details of your own business on the register page. An article on using coppice products in the Gardening supplement of The Telegraph, 10 January 2009, directed readers to this website.
Google Maps: www.google.co.uk/services
Google Maps allows people to search for a business by postcode, place name or the area of the map displayed. Markers are shown on the map, which when clicked, give details of the business at that location. It is free to add your information to this directory.
From the main Google search page, click on the words Business Solutions or enter the web address above. This will display the Google Local Business Centre page. You will then be asked to log in with your Google account or to register to get one. Once you have logged in select the ‘Add new business’ icon.
Your business will then be shown in any relevant searches on Google Maps. It has the advantage that people can see how close your business is to them and they can obtain directions and contact information from your advert.
Local Charcoal: www.localcharcoal.co.uk
This directory lists charcoal producers by county. It also has comprehensive information for consumers on the benefits of buying local charcoal. Contact Info@localcharcoal.co.uk for further information and to request a directory entry.
Click-forestry-directory: www.click-forestry-directory.co.uk
This directory is a commercial venture dedicated to the forestry sector and covers Britain. It is free to advertise your business name, address, telephone numbers and email address. There is a 6 monthly fee of £50 if you wish to add more information and a website address. An advert can be added through the click-forestry website.
Ecolots: www.ecolots.co.uk
Ecolots is a free service for those interested in the environmentally sensitive management of land, trees and wildlife in the UK. It does this by providing free online advertising for sales, wants and events covering a wide range or rural products and services. Categories include: Round Timber, Sawn Timber, Woodfuel, Natural Products. The site includes a postcode search to make the results more meaningful.
Gumtree: www.gumtree.com
This is a community classified site which carries adverts for items including logs and hurdles. This may be a site that is known to the more urban dweller which could therefore be a way into a potentially large market. Advertising is free. The adverts are associated with particular towns.
Marketing
Marketing is defined as the business of selling goods. It is a skill of its own that not all producers are comfortable with. Marketing will involve researching your particular product area using standard marketing techniques regardless of your product, therefore look beyond the forestry sector for tips and training in these skills. Money is available under RDPE for small businesses to develop their marketing. The following are some suggestions for marketing on a shoe string:
- Find some business and marketing training to attend – there may be local evening classes. There is also RDPE training available
- Create an arrangement with a complementary business where the owner has stronger marketing skills and will market your product for you
- Contact Business Link who will give you free advice on developing your business
- Create business cards or small advertising leaflets. Everytime time you make a sale or delivery, give them to your customers for them to pass on to their customers. Hand them out to your friends as well!
- Place a free advert on a website, e.g. Woodlots, Google Maps (see above).
- Identify relevant papers that carry free ads. (Adverts need to have a location and a contact number that will be answered or responded to within a few hours. They should give the impression of a local, friendly service).
