We all recognize that the most valued advertisements attract the eye and the imagination. They are visual. Huge amounts of money are poured into some national advertising campaigns toward that end…yet why should the same principle not apply to our small businesses?

Even a sole proprietorship with a limited reach needs to be attractive to survive. This imperative transcends just what the eye can see to what the mind can learn via words. I know specific advertisements carry specific messages: Look at this product line! It is available at a sale price! Traditional advertising in newspapers, on television, on the radio and online is most often targeted toward a specific campaign. Think about it. WalMart isn’t coming on television just to say WalMart is great, but the message is proclaimed in subtle ways cloaked within a specifically targeted campaign.

In contrast, most of us are too small to be hosting advertising campaigns, yet we need to attract clients; but don’t despair. Your small business is you. You are the embodiment of your business. How do you project your business?

• You each have a personal circle we touch. Those daily contacts exemplify who you are and how you do business.

• You each have a digital presence—whether it is a FaceBook account or a website, you exist online.

Your time may feel limited, but there is a way to enlarge your presence, no matter how small you feel. Your business assumes a larger-than-life presence with vivid imagery and a consistent presence. Here are some ideas on how you may grow that presence while not having a heart attack in the process—duplicate yourself:

1. Post daily on FaceBook pages and websites.

2. Post weekly blogs that convey the essence of what we provide, describe our services, acquaint us with the public.

3. Offer vivid graphic images.

4. Offer vivid word pictures.

I know this sounds like a whole lotta’ work for someone already wearing a dozen hats to keep a small business afloat…bring in a consultant to do that for you. A virtual assistant or blogger creates many images of you while dwelling in the shadows. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg…just find someone you can work with, and let the relationship develop. Investopedia describes a virtual assistant as someone who is an independent contractor specializing in some form of business growth on your behalf.

This isn’t going to eat your business alive. You pay this person no benefits. The typical salary is $15-30 per hour. You can hire someone to help you once a week or once a day or both. When I post for a company daily and blog weekly, my services range between $130 and $200 a month, so think of it as replicating yourself and your efforts on a budget, and it’s not such a big bite.

However and whoever you choose to help you magnify your efforts, realize that you have one mouth and two hands. You cannot be the all-in-all for your business or you will be limited to a very small circle. Create more “mini-yous” to expand your influence and grow your business. The gratifying images an assistant offers are always more complimentary than your modesty would allow in describing yourself. That’s okay…it’s what an assistant is for…to multiple your presence in vivid images and vivid words.