Small businesses that do not attend the latest Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation workshop could be missing out on new ideas which could lead to higher profits, according to the organisation's assistant general manager Neville Grant.

Dead-on Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses, which will take place next Wednesday, March 27 at the Hamilton Princess, is aimed at helping those with zero or no budget for marketing get the most out of their businesses.

"You will be guaranteed to leave with at least one or two new ideas that will possibly lead to more money on your bottom line," said Mr. Grant.

The event will take the owners and managers of small businesses through research, planning and implementation of marketing plans.

Speaking at the afternoon event will be Walton Brown, chief executive officer of Evoke International.

He will talk about why market research is important and how to use market research as tools and strategies.

Jill Dill, the owner of the graphic design and marketing company Dillwerx, will then address the artist/client relationship as well as speak about giving the right message to get the right response.

The third speaker will be Kathryn Kelly, president of RB&K Advertising, who will speak about understanding the value of of marketing and what cost-effective marketing and advertising tools are available.

"It is important to know how to take information and research and deliver it in an effective medium," said Mr. Grant.

"For example it is important to know the demographics of the different radio stations so you can target your audience."

And Mr. Grant said that there were also more ways to promote business than using the newspapers or radio, and that sometimes there were more effective ways of reaching the target audience.

He said: "You also have to think of your goals.

''Do you really want more customers? Can you handle more volume than you already do?

''To many the answer is no, and they want previous customers to come back, and there may be more effective ways of getting in touch with them."

Mr. Grant also said that creating databases of customers could be a more effective way forward, with promotions through e-mails and telephone calls.

"It is important to plan your approach and get the most out of your plan, and workshops like this can really help," said Mr. Grant.