By
Erica Moore on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 |
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Forget the marketing cliches – you don\’t necessarily need millions of dollars, Lady Gaga, Dwyane Wade, music video-style graphics or placement in the prime time programming shift. Yes, product placement can be done much easier and cheaper than that.
It\’s not necessarily to spend millions on business promotion. In fact, you can do much more by doing the right things and staying within budget. These quick tips can help you maximize your shoestring marketing budget.
A Strong Press Release Helps
Reporters need a good story, which means they may be looking for you while you\’re trying to look for them. Don\’t overwhelm reporters with complexity – a simple and concise press release can get their attention better. Be honest and connect your news item with real-life events like a new service of your business. Don\’t make it appear in your press release that you are trying too hard. Ask other people, like family or friends, what they think would be newsworthy about your product or service. Also, you cannot talk marketing without talking research. By surveying your customers about certain ideas, you can gather valuable information. Ask them what keeps them coming back to your service or product.
Think Differently
Attract media interest by cooking up an event. You can think of anything from creating the world\’s largest something (depending on your business), then advertising it by making it sound like a popular song or movie.
Associate Your Face To Your Business
It doesn\’t matter if you aren\’t exactly Prince Charming – if your face is on your business card, you can develop a better relationship with your potential customers. That way, people know you both by face and name.
Publish Positive Testimonials
Try soliciting written commendations from your customers – if someone compliments you on a job well done, ask them to write a testimonial letter. Your promotional package would benefit from such a testimonial.
Refer To A Borrowed Message
Always be on the lookout for articles that might interest your customers – photocopy the article and send it to your clients with a personalized note. Not only do you increase the bond between business and customer, you also associate yourself with the person who had written the article you are borrowing.
Spend Your Money Creatively
A good marketing strategy does not need to be a costly one – all you need to do is outsmart your competition. You can try something like buying a billboard ad once every other month for a year. This could give you more exposure without paying a cent, as billboards usually don\’t get replaced that quickly. Since out of the box thinking is best as a business model rather than anything else, try other strategies like giving customers something they can\’t find with the competition.
Old-Fashioned Techniques Still Work
Charity events such as barbecues and telethons, as well as sponsoring local sports teams, are old-school techniques that still work up to this day. This wouldn\’t hurt your business, and will in fact help it by making your name prominent.
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