Promoting and advertising your business 

Promoting your business is an ongoing activity that involves everything from word of mouth, to trade shows, to paid advertisements in the media. Learn how to use advertising and other promotional techniques effectively.

General resources

• Make your advertising work for you

  Choose the type of advertising that matches your marketing budget and follow some of BDC's best practices for advertising.

• Measuring the results of your advertising

  Learn how to measure the results of your advertising so you know which styles, methods and media to use.

• Developing your website

  Learn how to create a website so you can attract more customers to your business.

• Online marketing

  Online marketing techniques like social networking, emailing and blogging are useful and involve little to no direct costs.

• Register on Canadian Company Capabilities

  Increase your visibility among domestic and foreign buyers by registering on this free promotional database of over 50,000 Canadian companies.

• Developing a promotional brochure

  Handing out promotional material is an important marketing activity, even in an online world.

• Marketing basics for the restaurant and foodservice industry

  Find marketing tips, promotional ideas and advertising articles straight from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

• Public relations and media relations

  Learn how to spread the word about your business.

• Trade show marketing

  Participating in trade shows can be worthwhile if you choose the right ones, prepare well, and follow up.

• Email marketing

  Discover the advantages of marketing your business with email.

• Signs and your business

  Find out what signs mean for your business, and how to use them to your advantage.

• Key research facts about direct mail marketing

  See which direct marketing methods Canadians prefer and which ones produce the best results.

• What your business can do: Go green with your mail

  You can save money by adopting eco-friendly business practices. Find out how to green your mail and your direct mail marketing activities.

Industry-specific resources