For most small businesses, marketing budgets are an impossible luxury. But note – you don’t have to spend a lot of money to market your business effectively! There are a variety of ways to increase your business’ visibility, customer base, and marketing strategies without putting aside a large chunk of your budget. It’s no secret that marketing is key to the success of any business, but by using smart advertising strategies, it can cost little to nothing. Follow these few tips to cost-effectively market your business:
- Use free social networking sites – If you don’t have a Facebook or Twitter account for your business, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. Not only are they free, but they also provide an opportunity to promote your product or service, communicate with customers, and build an online community with other businesses. Face-to-face and personal networking is also important. Use your personal and business contacts to network your products or services.
- cooperative advertising – If you want formal advertising but can’t afford the fee alone, why not try partnering with other companies to share the cost?
- Attach your company name to an event– By offering your services or helping out at an event, especially ones that are likely to attract your target customer base, your business will become known to a wider audience. For example, if you own a local business, offer to sell raffle tickets for the local fun run.
- Reach existing customers – Many marketers spend a lot of time focusing on acquiring new customers, but it’s just as important to reach out to your existing customers to ensure they continue to use your company’s skills or services and are more likely to personally recommend you to their friends and acquaintances. Communicating with your existing customers is one of the most important marketing strategies for small businesses.
- Identify and target your niche market – Not everyone is going to buy your product or need your service, so make sure you identify and then target your niche market through your marketing strategies.
- Join local clubs and organizations – By attaching your business name to local organizations, you receive free publicity and increase your visibility in the community. Events organized by local clubs and organizations also offer great networking opportunities.
Changing the way you think about marketing is also important for small businesses. Instead of seeing it as an expense you can’t afford, try to think of marketing as an essential investment in your business. If no one knows about the service or product you offer, who will your customers be? A smart way to invest in your company’s marketing is to take a marketing course such as: Certificate III in Economicsthat help your business to develop more effective marketing strategies.
Can’t take the time to commit to college? Why not try correspondence courses, usually conducted online, giving you the freedom to learn marketing skills in the comfort of your own home at your leisure? In addition, they are much cheaper than traditional university courses and will greatly improve the marketing activities and eventual success of your business.
Thanks to Eva Jio | #Inexpensive #marketing #strategies #small #businesses
