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7 No Cost Tips to Market Your Business
Marketing a business can be fun, exciting and creative. It can
also be very frustrating and expensive if one doesn't know what
outcome they are looking for or how to evaluate cost effective
methods of marketing.
Over the years people have come to know me for my unique ability
to develop low cost and no cost strategies to market and promote
a business, product or service. Strategies that have realized
incredible returns.
Some of my successes have included:
- Before my last book was published I pre-sold over $8,000 in
books - Over 250 people registered for a recent seminar in less
than 2 weeks and the cost to promote was under $25 - One company
used my strategies for a career expo and made over $180,000 in
consulting fees - One speaker sold over $23,000 in product sales
back of the room at a two hour seminar with strategies outlined
in my program
I don't share this to impress anyone, rather to impress upon you
when using the right strategies for your market, you can realize
some incredible results.
People have also come to know me as someone who is a stickler
when it comes to putting systems in place. My marketing
successes are a direct result of the systems I have implemented.
With a bit of forethought, planning and desire, you can
successfully market your business in a very effective manner.
Below are seven proven strategies sure to increase visibility,
leads and sales.
1. Business Cards Business cards are often one of the most
underutilized tools in one's marketing. Use the front and back
of your business card to gain full benefit. Depending on your
market you can put some very valuable information on the back
such as a sports schedule, emergency numbers, or special dates
people want to remember.
Keep some in your wallet, your automobile, on your desk, and
some at home. Be sure to carry them with you wherever you go and
be willing to hand them out as opportunity presents itself.
Creatively distribute your card. When you eat out you can leave
one with the tip. If you borrow a library book, use one as a
book mark. Hand them to clerks in stores who may know other
people who could use your product or service.
When someone gives you their business card be sure to enter
their information in your database. Send them a short note or
email within 48 hours of meeting them to keep your name fresh in
their mind.
2. Send a picture A great way to keep your name fresh in a
customer's mind is to send them a picture of when they purchased
a product or service from you.
Put a picture of a buyer's auto purchase in a beautiful
calendar. Likely, the proud owner of the vehicle will display
the calendar for the next 365 days.
For specialty gift shops, when a customer makes a substantial
purchase, have a picture taken with the shop owner. Frame the
picture and send it to the customer. Chances are very good the
picture will be displayed proudly for friends and family to see.
A dentist who specializes in smile makeovers can easily arrange
to have a professional makeup artist and photographer capture
the patient's beautiful new smile. No doubt the patient will be
more than happy to show others their new look.
3. Associations Associations particular to your market are a
great resource for marketing. There are associations specific to
virtually any industry, job type or business. A quick web search
will likely show you how much is available.
A major opportunity within many organizations is the chance to
network. Additionally, to make presentations. Along with
presentations come publications. Often, when you do a
presentation, you will get a mention in the association
newsletter, their Ezine and/or on their website.
In many cases, when an organization has a newsletter or Ezine,
they welcome the presenter writing a press announcement for
them. It saves them time and often assures you have a better
chance of the information making it into the publication.
They may also welcome you writing an article for their
publication or website. This lends itself to pre-presentation
visibility. Additionally, you will position yourself as an
expert and increase credibility.
Most organizations have the following opportunities that can
help you to gain visibility and do some very effective marketing:
-Newsletters -Internet listings -Links to you website
-Discounted advertising rates -Networking opportunities
-Business referral services -Special recognition events
-Education seminars -Business and membership directories
In many cases you will need to be a member of the association to
take advantage of the multiple marketing opportunities. In other
cases membership is not necessary.
4. Committee Involvement Committee involvement is a great way to
give back to the association or community while building
visibility for you and your business. In some cases, you may
even want to get involved in a committee where you have little
experience or knowledge. This will give you an opportunity to
stretch yourself and meet and network with individuals you may
not have otherwise had the chance to meet.
5. Contests and drawings Contests are a favorite for many
businesses such as restaurants or those that have high foot
traffic. Contests are a great way to build your database
quickly. You are generating very hot leads when you have a
contest with people who have already frequented your place of
business. The key though is to do back -end marketing. Far too
many businesses hold contests, get lots of names and do nothing
with them. In this case, it is a complete waste of time to hold
a contest. You can advertise a contest to gain new foot traffic
in your place of business. Trade show booths are a great place
to hold a contest. Pre-show marketing helps to generate traffic
at your booth. Invite people to stop by booth # _____ (whatever
your booth is) to enter to win. Creative contests can also
generate free publicity.
6. Cross-promoting Join with other companies who have products
or services that compliment yours and promote each other. Let's
say you have a massage business. You could partner with a candle
company to sell their candles to your massage clients. They can
give out coupons for your massage business. Or the candle
company can partner with a gift basket company. Cross-promoting
is only limited by your imagination.
This can considerably cut down the cost of business promotion
and allow each business to use promotion techniques that might
be too expensive to implement alone.
7. Bonuses Secure special offers from various businesses who
want to share a similar market as you. When a customer buys a
minimum amount they receive a bonus packet with the various
offers from the other vendors. This is a win/win all the way
around. The other vendors gain visibility, you have something
extra to offer you customers and the customers get incredible
value for their purchase.
Be aware of who you cross-promote and joint venture with. You
want someone who will be equally committed to a campaign.
About the author:
Kathleen Gage is a business advisor specializing in marketing
and promotions for small and home based businesses. She is a
keynote speaker and the author of -101 Ways to Get Your Foot in
the Door - and - 101 No Cost and Low Cost Tips to Market and
Promote a Product, Service or Business. To access her FREE
report, Learn How One Salt Lake City Consultant made Over
$100,000 from One Idea, visit www.streetsmartsmarketing.com