How to promote a new internet auto classified?

I'm working on an internet auto classified for my state(Ohio). I was just wondering how I would go about getting the word to the public.

I will be contacting dealers by mailing, emailing, in person, fax, ect...

How do I tell the 12+ million people in Ohio about the site?

I plan on submitting it to directorys, putting stickers on my car, encouraging the dealers to advertise their listings, flyers, making a t shirt or two for myself and my family to wear.

I think I can advertise it pretty easy in my area(around one million people) but how do I get the word out all over the state?!

Thanks,
Aaron

 

Have you tried your local newspaper, radio, t.v. It takes money to make money or so I heard.

 

Yes local classified or press is a good way to give a lot of exposure.

 

It is going to be hard convincing dealers to advertise with you...most of them have contracts with autotrader.com or post it on ebay.

 

True but ebay had to start from somewhere. Ebay was not always Ebay. It started as a small company.

 

I believe smaller dealers will hop on to this. The small dealers that have less then 50 cars and don't advertise much.

I got an awesome idea behind it that will attract dealers. I just need to get to work and get the business set up!

 

Good luck with your business.