How do I promote myself and business without pushing myself on people?

How can i promote my business? how much should i charge?

• i am a 12 year old girl looking for some money, so i decided to start a small local business that uses my talents. i am really "computer-savvy" and i love making and editing movies/ videos on my macbook. so i am starting a business where i take people's vacation/home videos and edit them into a nice neat amazing looking DVD movie on my computer. i need to know how to promote my business. i already know that i need to make business cards and put up flyers with my contact info. i am on a very very low budget. i also want to know how much to charge people. i am thinking of charging them by the hours i spend editing the movie, but how much??

• Answer:

  There is an old saying "it takes money to make money" and I know you say that you are very limited in your budget, but putting yourself out there is how you are going to make some money and it takes a little money to do that. Making flyers and putting them in well travelled places is a great idea, but it is also "shooting in the dark" a little as you may get numerous people looking at the flyer but only a handful will actually be interested. Think more of a "target" audience .... Head to PTA and School Functions where children are the idea people are thinking about. Ask if you can pass out flyers and cards there, Bring along your Macbook to show what you can do OR, make CD's of your work and give them away to "extremely interested" people. Pop on in a daycare center and ask if you can put up flyers there. Ask if you can pass out flyers and business cards at gymnastics gyms, hockey arenas, swimming pools and similar places as these are the places where video cameras are the "norm" sometimes as everyone wants those cherished memories saved for a lifetime. Walk around little league games with your flyers, cards and Macbook. Someone ALWAYS wants a copy to send to Gramps and Gramma! As far as how much to charge, Look in the phone book and find someone who is doing what you are doing. Call them up and tell them you are trying to put together a project for your parents of old movies your parents took of you and your siblings, Cut his price by 10% and get busy! Best of luck! Tonyb