THE Tarka Country Back to Business Scheme is keen to encourage small and medium sized businesses in West Devon to register for free internet marketing.
Soon it will be too late as entry to The Tarka Foundation?s free marketing website will shortly close.
There is still time for small and medium size businesses in Okehampton and Tavistock and surrounding areas, including Dartmoor, to register for a free advertisement under the Tarka Country Back to Business scheme supported by the Small Business Service of the DTI.
John Hardy, chief executive of the north-Devon based Tarka Country Trust, said: ?Buying local products and services is being encouraged and promoted by the local press, business support organisations and local government.
?For this to succeed, local businesses have to advertise what they do, where they are and let it be known that the products or services offered are really created locally; that?s one of our Back to Business scheme?s aims.
?Advertising can be like playing the lottery,? said Mr Hardy.
?You pay for your entry hoping for a good return. However, with the Tarka Country Back to Business joint internet marketing programme entry is totally free and it is not just for one night.
?You have the possibility of getting a return from your advertisement 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for at least a year,? he said.
?The sooner your advertisement is registered the longer it has to run.?
There is also the opportunity to take advantage of the use of a ?Created In Tarka Country? logo, which are available free to relevant local businesses entered on the Tarka website and will automatically appear on their internet advertisement.
The logos are available on a free CD in a selection of formats for inclusion in publicity and point-of-sale material to promote local products and services.
?Created In Okehampton?, ?Created In Tavistock? and ?Created In Dartmoor? logos could be made available on free CDs if sufficient businesses take up the offer.
Tarka Country Back to Business joint internet marketing programme is promoting local businesses with free advertising on a website which is accessible, not only locally but nationally and internationally.
Each advertisement gives a description of the business, the contact details, links to other relevant sites and includes a location map. The advertisements will be on the website for at least a year.
You can apply for your free advertisement with the Tarka Country joint internet marketing programme by telephoning the Tarka Foundation on 01237 472960 or 01271 321388.