Business Starting Grants

Which advertising medium should I use for my startup business?

I am starting a grocery delivery business. My main customers will be the elderly, disabled, affluent, busy, or people with young children. My dilemma is that I don't have a lot of funds to immediately spend thousands on expensive ads, and I'm not going to take out a loan. What are some affordable yet effective ways that I can advertise my business?

Public Comments

1. I assume that you will deliver in a certain geographic area only so I would start with flyers delivered to the target area. You might want to do a coupon introductory offer as part of the flyer. You might want to also get on the phone and introduce yourself to the community centers that serve the elderly (maybe you can put up flyers on their bulletin board). Radio advertising is usually relatively inexpensive - just make sure that your ads are targeted to the customer group (i.e. elderly and disabled or affluent and busy or people with young children - don't target all of them with the same message). Make sure that your message identifies the problem (their inability to get in/out of the store, or their busy lifestyles, or their children), the solution (your service and the time it will save, the money they will save, etc.) and then a call to action ... ask them to order your service on a trial basis (with the first order being discounted 10% - or whatever amount you determine would be an incentive)?
2. David, one way that you can try is for sure online advertising. Marketing online is cheaper and if well done you can have a great ROI. Of course, if you have no experience, don't do it by yourself :)