1.Make yourself stand out. Nancy Michaels, owner of a marketing communications firm in Concord, MA, sends greetings and gifts at odd holidays, like Chinese New Year and the Fourth of July, instead of at Christmas and Hanukkah.
2.Create a memorable title for yourself. The business cards of one husband-and-wife team refer to them as “Dad” and “Mom” because their furniture store is named after their children.
3.Write educational articles for trade journals, newspapers, and other publications that reach your audience. They’ll get your name before the public and add to your credibility.
4.Don’t underestimate the market value of your name. By using their names over and over to promote their talents, Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart have turned small businesses into enormous enterprises.
5.Make sure the name of your company is legible. Some logos use such fancy lettering that the company name is unreadable.

Today I returned from a trip to Belize and let me say I had a wonderful time, but during the trip I couldn't help but stay tuned to the news of the economic crisis and the financial bailout that our government is being faced with. Like most of you I pay close attention to the stock market, but my heart always turns inward to evaluate how I can help you - the small business that is struggling to survive.

I know you are out there, I get your emails. With that being said I also know that many of you are still seeing success in the growth of your businesses, but this week I must focus on those who need a little bit of help. Together we can all find ways to market our businesses and make it through these tough economic times.

On my way back home I began to create a list of no-cost marketing tips that small businesses can start to implement while we learn to persevere in this financial pinch. There are ways to promote your business that are low-cost and some even no-cost. Take a look at my five no-cost marketing tips and if you have a tip to share feel free to add it to the comment section.

Make customers feel special. People respond to recognition. Starbucks, for example, encourages baristas to learn the names of cafe regulars. A great marketer also makes it easy for customers to reach a competent person when they need help with a product or ask questions. Adequate customer support is often your first opportunity to garner loyalty among paying clients.

2. Distribute business cards worth keeping. Real estate agents sometimes affix their photos and information to magnetic calendars; Krotz suggests distributing notepads with your tag line and contact info on every page.

3. Stop marketing to unprofitable — or break-even — customers.

4. Cultivate an electronic mailing list. In the mutable days of "new media," it is easy to forget how effective a direct mailer or e-newsletter can be. Invite customers and clients to open your mail with special offers, analytic data or other useful information.

5. Improve visibility at trade shows and conferences. It helps to be a (friendly) regular with sticky giveaways. Be selective: trade shows can be costly.

6. Mix business with pleasure … and charity. Don't underestimate the viral power of hosting a charity baseball game in your community.

7. Create a destination online and offline. Customers gravitate to a pleasant experience. Krotz cites the Barnes & Noble cafes as an offline example. Also consider casual gaming destinations (if relevant to your product), quiz sections or even user forums, where users can engage each other.

8. Become an expert in your field. Why not give advice away? As familiarity with your name grows, so too will familiarity with your associated brand. Blogging, and getting involved with a relevant blogging community, makes this easy. Encourage syndication of useful content.

9. Build relationships with local media.

10. Maintain relationships with repeat customers. It costs less to retain a client, however disgruntled or inactive, than it does to acquire a new one. Send personal messages and offer opportunities to improve their brand experience with you.