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Naturally, anyone who launches a home based business has high hopes for success. Many are surprised to find that it takes a lot more than placing a few ads in the paper, to build a large and successful business. If you want to grow your business, the following tips may help you do just that.

For support, family and friends are a good starting point, but you would be well advised to expand your network. To do this, consider the places where you can find good customers who are also centers of influence. Some ideas include local civic associations, regional trade shows, professional conferences and seminars, breakfast clubs and chamber of commerce meetings.

Create a network through locating other businesses who are not in competition with you, but who are likely to get inquiries about the type of products and services that you offer. For instance, your speciality may be submersible pumps. If you've established a good relationship with a quality pipe supplier, they may send you people who want a pump and in exchange you should send them people who need piping.

Whenever the opportunity arises, talk to people. The possibilities are endless and it gives you something to do instead of just waiting around for a bus or airplane. Just striking up a conversation can bring you in a lot of additional business.

If you use the internet then you may want to consider checking message boards and forums relative to your niche, to help build your online mailing list. Whether you are selling a local product or not, when online, your computer screen puts you within a few feet of the rest of the world.

Consider doing a few local demonstrations on the product or service you are offering. This can help increase the publicity for your business. Or for instance, if you sell pet portraits, you could hang samples of your pictures in local veterinary clinics and pet supply shops, adding to the decoration. This way you can increase your popularity, be passively advertising and possibly gain further sales later.

For the top marketing techniques consider attending functions that focus on your niche products and industry and networking with people to learn from their successes and challenges. Another technique is to study any trade journals for your business industry. You will probably discover people that you can approach with a specific question or problem that you may encounter with your business. Remember to follow up with the individual and thank them for their help so they know you appreciate it.