Thanks to Tim Ferriss for this:

“Advertising is the tax you pay for being unremarkable.” -Robert Stephens

While push marketing is necessary for getting your business in front of potential customers, it’s actually much cheaper (and easier, many times) to create a fantastic product, service, freebie, etc. that applies to your business.

Creating something worth spending some time using (or using regularly), or even sending to a friend, is actually much easier to do than business owners realize. You know your business better than anyone, so I’d be willing to bet that you know your market well enough to create something that they’ll be happy to spread for you.

Looking for ideas to get the brainstorming session moving?

• Create a simple, free tool your potential customers will be interested in (map, calculator, etc.)
• Make a “viral” video that pertains to your market (funny, shocking, etc.)
• Pay extra for amazing website design (if your market is interested in this)
• Hold a contest with a reasonable prize to have your customers participate in promotion
• Create a Top 100 list that people can vote on within your niche
• Hire a programmer to make a free web-based tool that saves time for your customers

The key is to save time & money getting the word out about your business by creating something worth talking about.