Sure, you've got your name on your sign, your business card, and your stationery. But even if you've included your logo in all of the obvious places, there could be more opportunities for exposure. Think about ordering mailing labels, plastic bags, bookmarks, and other inexpensive items you can include with customer orders. For larger publicity, see if you can barter with other businesses to display your logo somewhere in their store or office in exchange for similar free advertising for them. And, of course, never forget to include your business card in all correspondence, both professional and personal.
Email newsletters
Marketing isn't just about attracting new customers—it's also about keeping the one's you've already got. Using your small business software to develop a list of valued customers who opt to be included on an email newsletter distribution list is a great way to build community and keep customers returning to your website. Make sure your mailings contain a mix of engaging, original content and special "insider" offers so people want to read what you send. A great example of a winning promotion is offering a 25 percent discount if a customer refers a friend. You can also let this select group in on new products when they are first released, along with a bonus gift for buying early.
Coupons and incentives
It usually doesn't cost a lot to print some coupons and enclose them in the Sunday circular or send them out through direct mail. And it costs even less to create them online and email them to customers. Particularly in recent months, Americans have been looking for any chance to score a deal, so coupons are a good bet for catching people's eyes. Many businesses have found success through buy-one-get-one-free offers, which entice people to spend money in order to get a reward. Make sure you include your firm's website address prominently on each coupon and keep them on hand to give out at trade shows, networking functions, and whenever the mood strikes.
Get active on the blogs
Blogs are hotbeds of free marketing opportunities. You can maintain your own in which you give expert advice, comment on the latest issues in your industry, or link to interesting news stories that may be relevant to customers. Or you can seek out other blogs in your sector and leave relevant comments, followed by your business' name and web address.
Tweet your message
It's hard to read about small business marketing these days without hearing about the power of Twitter. This social networking website really can be an effective—and inexpensive—tool for small companies' marketing efforts. You can post Tweets (individual messages on Twitter) about deals, coupons, and opportunities. You can also post links to articles and news on your website. And, perhaps most importantly, you can interact with customers directly. Don't forget to include your Twitter address on marketing materials—and devote sufficient time to keeping your feed updated.
Cross-promotional marketing
Team up with a fellow small company and agree on a cross-promotional marketing campaign. This strategy works best when you select a complementary business. For example, a personal trainer and a massage therapist could join forces to reach out to each other's customers through coupons. The trainer could give anyone who signs up for ten sessions a coupon for a free massage. In return, the masseuse could offer customers a 15 percent discount on their first session with the trainer. You can also seek out businesses who agree to provide testimonials and recommendations to each other to their customers. For instance, when a bride seeks out a particular wedding photographer, she might get a recommendation for a photographer and DJ as well.
Email newsletters
Marketing isn't just about attracting new customers—it's also about keeping the one's you've already got. Using your small business software to develop a list of valued customers who opt to be included on an email newsletter distribution list is a great way to build community and keep customers returning to your website. Make sure your mailings contain a mix of engaging, original content and special "insider" offers so people want to read what you send. A great example of a winning promotion is offering a 25 percent discount if a customer refers a friend. You can also let this select group in on new products when they are first released, along with a bonus gift for buying early.
Coupons and incentives
It usually doesn't cost a lot to print some coupons and enclose them in the Sunday circular or send them out through direct mail. And it costs even less to create them online and email them to customers. Particularly in recent months, Americans have been looking for any chance to score a deal, so coupons are a good bet for catching people's eyes. Many businesses have found success through buy-one-get-one-free offers, which entice people to spend money in order to get a reward. Make sure you include your firm's website address prominently on each coupon and keep them on hand to give out at trade shows, networking functions, and whenever the mood strikes.
Get active on the blogs
Blogs are hotbeds of free marketing opportunities. You can maintain your own in which you give expert advice, comment on the latest issues in your industry, or link to interesting news stories that may be relevant to customers. Or you can seek out other blogs in your sector and leave relevant comments, followed by your business' name and web address.
Tweet your message
It's hard to read about small business marketing these days without hearing about the power of Twitter. This social networking website really can be an effective—and inexpensive—tool for small companies' marketing efforts. You can post Tweets (individual messages on Twitter) about deals, coupons, and opportunities. You can also post links to articles and news on your website. And, perhaps most importantly, you can interact with customers directly. Don't forget to include your Twitter address on marketing materials—and devote sufficient time to keeping your feed updated.
Cross-promotional marketing
Team up with a fellow small company and agree on a cross-promotional marketing campaign. This strategy works best when you select a complementary business. For example, a personal trainer and a massage therapist could join forces to reach out to each other's customers through coupons. The trainer could give anyone who signs up for ten sessions a coupon for a free massage. In return, the masseuse could offer customers a 15 percent discount on their first session with the trainer. You can also seek out businesses who agree to provide testimonials and recommendations to each other to their customers. For instance, when a bride seeks out a particular wedding photographer, she might get a recommendation for a photographer and DJ as well.
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