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Until fairly recently, the process of creating a business, from start to finish, was an expensive and daunting task. Filing the appropriate paperwork with the state, figuring out payroll and personnel schedules and implementing marketing strategies for your business were not only time consuming, but prohibitively expensive for most individuals. The Information Age has changed all of that. Beginning with convenient online filing of permit applications, payroll software, and websites that can be created overnight, you can be up and running in no time with very little capital outlay.

Once your business is officially recognized, you will want to begin the process of public recognition, namely marketing. Luckily, the information highway can assist you in this endeavor also. Small and medium business marketing has evolved significantly in the last few years. In the past, these size businesses either spent the money to field marketing work out to larger firms or relied on word of mouth and newspaper advertising exclusively. Business marketing can now be accomplished successfully, in house, for significantly less money through internet marketing.

In order to establish a presence in today's marketplace, you would be well served to have a webpage for internet marketing. Domain names can be obtained from most webhosting providers such as Yahoo for under $100 per year. Websites can be created for a small amount of cash also. I personally have a number of friends who work from home developing websites. They have offered to create a website for me for as little as $200.

One good model to examine for small business marketing is the Independent Realtor. Real Estate is an industry which relies almost exclusively on marketing for success. Hence, the proliferation of marketing strategies by agents who need to reach the public on a limited budget. As a computer savvy group, realtors have really learned how to use the web to their advantage for most of their marketing needs which can also work for many other types of businesses.

More specifically Internet Marketing Strategies Can Be Used For:

• Lead Generation - Social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn are great ways to develop relationships with potential clients. These sites also allow clients the ability to interface with each other, providing a valuable service to all involved. Additionally, small media such as church bulletins, school newspapers, yearbooks, and baseball field signs all offer a great value for lead generation and are widely used by realtors for name recognition.
• Client Contact - Emails through your data base such as Microsoft Outlook, can provide you with the facility to send out alerts, reminders, client anniversary notices and provide other valuable client contact at virtually no cost. Reconnecting with past clients is an important part of the realtor marketing strategies and one that small businesses should follow. Small personal notes, sent through the regular mail, are still a great tool for creating and maintaining a connection but will cost you more time and money.
• Strategic Partnering and Affiliates - Working with other businesses connected to yours either directly or tangentially can offer you a great client flow. Usually these businesses will agree to promote your business for a percentage of the sale that you make. They can do this by allowing you to place banners on their websites or more directly through word of mouth.
• Parties and Get Togethers - In these financially turbulent times most people are cutting back on their dining and entertainment expenses. Many current and potential clients would jump at the chance to participate in an informal gathering or game night that is sponsored by your business. Home based businesses such as Pampered Chef and Mary Kay have long benefitted from this type of setting and it is a great way to create and keep clients. The use of the website Evite can keep your planning and invitation process to a minimum.

Most of these marketing strategies involve nothing more than a computer, the internet and a small budget. Be creative and flexible and use the existing resources to your advantage and success should follow your business marketing efforts.