Promoting and advertising your business 

Learn how to use advertising and other promotional techniques effectively.

Advertising 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 a company brochure
  Handing out promotional material is an important marketing activity, even in an online world. Follow these steps to create a winning brochure.
• Signs and your business
  Have you considered the impact that your sign has on your business? Find out what signs do for your business, and how to use them to your advantage.
• Advertising — the basics
  Get advice on how and when to advertise and the best way to manage the process to ensure that you get your money's worth.
• Canada Brand International (for the Food and Agriculture Sector)
  You can increase the value of your brand internationally by adding the Canada brand image to your goods.
• Brand Canada Library
  Use these free professional photos, videos and graphics from the Canadian Tourism Commission to help market your tourism business.
• Tourism toolkits
  Use these free toolkits to grow and market your Canadian tourism business.
• Key research facts about direct mail marketing
  See which direct marketing methods Canadians prefer and which ones produce the best results.
• Yukon Mining and Exploration Directory
  If your business is involved in mining or exploration in the Yukon, you can advertise your services to the mining community and get listed in the directory.
• Nova Scotia Business Development Program
  You could qualify for a government rebate to help vitalize your start-up or existing business.
• 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.

Promotion resources

• Public relations and media relations
  Learn how to spread the word about your business.
• Online marketing
  Marketing techniques and tools like social networking, emailing and blogging often involve low or no direct costs.
• Email marketing
  Discover the advantages of marketing your business with email.
• Trade show marketing
  Participating in trade shows can be worthwhile if you choose the right ones, prepare well, and follow up.
• Register on Canadian Company Capabilities
  Increase your business' visibility by registering on this free promotional database of over 60,000 Canadian companies. This database is used by domestic and foreign buyers.
• Marketing Basics for the Restaurant and Foodservice Industry
  Find marketing tips, promotional ideas and advertising articles straight from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.
• Developing your website
  Learn how to create a website so you can attract more customers to your business.
• Tourism Technology
  Learn how to attract customers to your tourism business through Internet and social media marketing.
• Open Door Program
  Promote your tourism product to front-line tourism officers so they can market your business to visitors.
• Irving Shipbuilding Inc. online supplier registry
  Register your company as a potential supplier of goods and services for the shipbuilding industry.
• Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan
  Find out how to become a supplier to the shipbuilding industry in the Atlantic Provinces. This also includes building and repairing ships.
• Crafts of Character Branding Program
  Promote your high-quality, distinctive Newfoundland and Labrador craft, gift and apparel products through this provincial branding program.
• Forage Marketing
  Is hay your business? Expand your operations by developing domestic and export trade forage markets.
• Wholesale Marketing Program
  Are you looking to develop wholesale markets for your craft, gift and apparel products? This program could help you.
• Signature Experiences Collection
  If your Canadian tourism business provides an experience for travellers, you could get a chance to market your product for free to key countries.
• Translation Assistance Program
  You could get up to $5,000 to translate your promotional material into French or English.
• Business Improvement Area Handbook
  Find out how you can set up a Business Improvement Area and the possible benefits for your business.
• Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation
  Find out how to market your product or service under the Ontario brand and how to reach key tourism markets.