A marketing strategy is key to attracting clients and customers and most of all, spreading the word about your new business. The SBDC can connect you with an expert mentor to help you hone your marketing skills. You can also attend one of the many free or low cost seminars they host on the topic. Building visibility and brand awareness is crucial. Consulting with a graphic designer to make sure you have a website, marketing materials, signage, and other graphics that promote a unified message and overall look for your business is an important step to launch your business.

If your business markets to tourists or outside visitors you should consider partnering with Visit Santa Cruz County (VSCC). VSCC offers marketing opportunities at a variety of levels to accommodate budgets of all sizes. In addition to a presence on the www.santacruz.org website, VSCC offers sponsorship opportunities with the annual Official Santa Cruz County Traveler's Guide and other targeted marketing programs like the Wedding and Conference web listing marketing programs. VSCC also offers a Partner Profile Video Marketing Program which provides VSCC marketing partners the opportunity to have their venue or business featured in a professionally produced profile video.

For more information about how to connect with Visit Santa Cruz County, click here.