Launch ideas

Sometimes, the simplest ideas can have the greatest effect. For example, Ive used live people as shop window mannequins when Ive opened shops for clients in the past. Try and come up with an original idea that will bring attention to your store either inside your shop window or in front of your door.

Even if you dont have a shop window, if your idea is visually unusual, it may make a good news photograph for your local newspaper. Try and come up with a stunt that could get your business message across while creating an exciting photo opportunity.

If youre planning a dog-walking agency, for instance, borrow every dog you can find of all shapes and sizes, have them all on leads, and contact the local press to come and photograph you, walking all twenty of them down the main street of your town.

If you are starting a cake business, bake the biggest cake you can and deliver it to the childrens ward of the local hospital. Tell the local papers that this is how youre celebrating the opening of your new business  another win-win situation.

Why not rent a huge billboard at a prime spot near your business and get it painted by students from the local college with your launch message? Then make sure that the local media know about it. Sponsoring an appropriate local event is another socially conscious way to advertise your launch.

If youre opening a vitamin shop, see if you can sponsor the local womens sports event or city marathon. If youre selling gardening equipment, become a sponsor of the local gardening show. Although sponsorships can be very expensive, find a way to make this launch idea fit your marketing budget  and youll gain name recognition as well as community goodwill.

You could also consider giving freebies out at community affairs such as farmers markets, village fairs, school fund-raisers, or even friends dinner parties.

Talk about how your new business is changing you life

Read more from Lynne Franks' SEED Handbook: the feminine way to create business.