There is nothing like a freebie or give-away to catch the attention of a potential customer. So when starting your business use this powerful tool to promote yourself and to attract customers. Promotional teasers include things like:

• Coupons/Vouchers: Many businesses are using coupons and vouchers to attract customers. For example, they may offer them a two-for-one deal. Another example is working with a non-competitive business and offering coupons as part of a marketing partnership.

Coupons can be issued as part of your direct marketing efforts, a letterbox drop, handed to customers when they use your business or included in your advertising campaign and printed as cut-outs in magazines and newspapers.

• Frequency rewards: Rewarding customers when they spend more with you in an effort to obtain a discount is an easy way to entice customers back. A frequency reward program can work well.

• Competitions: They don't have to be overly complicated. Giving away entitlements to discounts or gift certificates can be an incentive for customers to return. One of the simplest ways is to have customers put their dockets in a special barrel, along with their names and address written on the back as part of a draw.

• Samples: Giving away samples is an excellent way to get people to try and hopefully buy or use your products/service. When potential customers are getting something for nothing they will be more inclined to use your business.

Copyright (c) 2005 CCH Australia Pty Ltd. The Entrepreneur Business Centre (http://www.ebc.com.au) is based in Sydney, Australia and provides information and tools to help people succeed in business