Do you remember road trips with your family as a child? Often bored out of your mind, you already played every travel game that your Mother packed, read the book you brought along, and pestered your siblings until Dad got angry. Then as you cruised down the interstate the car pulled alongside a semi-truck. Do you remember what came next? The inevitable arm pump as you tried to get the truck driver's attention. Then the truck horn would blow. Two long bursts that made you feel exhilarated, at least for the moment.

For some strange reason, it would make us feel good when that horn would blow. That Truck Driver already had your attention, but he knew if he didn't blow that horn you would be disappointed. So he would blow the horn just to make you happy. It probably made him smile a bit as well. Promoting your business is like blowing that horn. It focuses more attention on your products and services.

A business that does not promote itself is like a truck driver that refuses to blow that horn. The attention is already focused on him but for one reason or another, he won't cut loose. Maybe he is to busy driving to notice that people want to hear more? Perhaps he is self-conscious and does not want the spotlight to be even brighter. Most businesses can not afford to avoid the spotlight. They need to promote themselves to survive.

You don't need your business ad plastered on every promotional medium available, but it is important to remind people that you are ready to serve them. Every business loses customers due to attrition, the natural loss of customers due to time and circumstances. Businesses must replace lost customers, and promoting your business is the best way to do that.

There is an unlimited number of ways to promote your business. Television, radio, newspapers, social media, websites, asking for referrals, and internet ads are just a few of the most popular methods. Regardless of how you promote your business, just remember, its O.K. to blow your own horn.