Many small business owners know about and use modern resources such as Facebook and Youtube to market their business. However, new and interesting ways of marketing yourself for a low cost in a very competitive world are always arising. Here are the latest ways you can use technology to build your brand online.

Internet Radio. Radio show guests are automatically considered experts, but the internet has opened up these positions to just about everyone. Internet radio hosts are constantly looking for new people to interview and to feature as guests on their shows. Not only does this get your message and your brand into the public eye for no cost whatsoever, it allows you to gain reputation as an expert in your field.

Blog Comments. Most business owners are aware of the impact that a blog can have, but many don’t realize that a blog cannot function as an island. The most popular blogs became so by interacting with other bloggers. However, this doesn’t have to be a full time job in and of itself; a little can go a long way if you carefully choose blogs with a large following that includes your target audience. You should occasionally search for blogs that are relevant to your business and leave a thoughtful comment with a link to your own blog.

Link Exchanges. In the past, most business owners have steered away from link exchanges because they can be very ineffective. However, under right conditions, a link exchange can bring relevant traffic to your website. The key is to trade links not through a link exchange, but with a few websites that are in similar (but not identical) fields to yours. For best results, choose carefully: choose websites with brands that are complimentary to yours, and don’t ever put a direct competitor’s link.

Ezines. Even if you don’t have your own ezine, there are ways to use this powerful form of web media to bring in relevant business and build your company brand. First, find an ezine with a subject that is relevant to your target audience. Second, contact the owner and offer a link on your website in exchange for a small ad in their ezine. Some will say no, preferring to stay with paid advertising only, but if you approach several, at least one will agree. This will give you free ongoing advertising and allow you to build your brand with no money outlay at all.

Groups and Message Boards. Run by internet giants such as Yahoo and Google, these tend to have huge readerships. Because you can choose the topic, you will easily be able to find a few that are relevant to your business. Join them and make a few thoughtful posts that are not directly advertising. However, place your website address and if allowed, a tagline in your signature. This type of subtle, non-pushy advertising will win trust and build your brand.

The internet is always opening up new opportunities for advertisers. Don’t let these slip past you; take advantage of every opportunity to build your brand.

Whether you are interested in expanding your small business or simply wanting to stay up with the time, adding new products and services is an essential part of finding success in small business. Markets change, and the more you can change with them, the more successful you will be. However, it is important that new products be congruent with your current brand, adding to it rather than detracting from it. Here are a few pointers for brainstorming new products that will compliment your brand.

The customer is always right. Well, not exactly always, but most of the time at least. If you find that your customers are asking for a certain product, it indicates that they feel your business is a logical place in which to find it. If your customers are expressing frustration with a current issue, think about how you can solve it. Innovation is one of the strong points of dealing with a small business, so give the customer what they need and especially what they ask for.

Provide convenience. The same way the post office sells stamps and mailing boxes, you should also be selling relevant accessories that naturally go with your product. Not only will expanding a product line in this manner help build your brand, there is no reason a customer should buy a product from you and then be obligated to promptly march across town to get the cable or other accessory that they need. Sell a full line of peripheral items that go with your key products or services; it will not only make your customers’ lives easier, it will add to your bottom line.

Offer value. Customers now buy so many products and services that it can be both time consuming and expensive. If you can find a way to bundle several of these into a single package that costs less, your customers will beat down your doors to buy them. Most of the time, offering solutions such as this will not conflict with your brand, and in fact build it.

Think holistically. When a customer walks into your store, they bring with them a history and a future. Where do they come from and where are they going? For example, if a chiropractor often refers clients to certain vitamins and supplements, these customers likely are leaving and going directly to the drug store to buy them. Offering the vitamins and supplements in office is a good solution in this case. If there is a logical step before or after your business, try to offer the same product in your own business. It will save the customer time, something that no modern person has in surplus.

As you can see, adding new products and services that compliment your brand can be very simple. The key is to identify your customers’ needs, even if they haven’t identified them yet. If you are offering more products that fit your brand and that your customers want, you can bet you will be more successful than ever.