Low cost ways to market your business

Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive. Find out how to keep your marketing strategies smart and cost-effective.

Small business marketing is about making your target customers aware of your products in focused, effective ways that are easy on the back pocket.

Increase positive word-of-mouth

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most popular small business marketing options because of the credibility impartial third-party recommendations can lend a brand. Another plus is that it is usually free. Simply focus on delivering excellent customer service, actively ask clients for referrals, and make sure you get on top of any complaints or service issues as soon as you can.

 "The greatest compliment is a referral"

Personalize the experience

Going that extra mile for a customer is a great way to spread word about your company, but rather than just entertaining a special request, bring home your efforts by showing you’ve paid attention and know exactly what your customers want before they ask.

 A package with airline tickets was returned to the travel agent due to a wrong postal code. The owner dropped it off personally.

Provide incentives

Rewarding customers is a widespread and effective marketing manoeuvre for businesses of all sizes, but the rewards don’t have to be big and expensive. The cost of a discount, free gift or even just the chance to participate for the chance to win a prize can go a long way.

Coupons or Contests work very well. Why not reward your best customers with a Samsung Tablet? They are under $200

Brand everything

It’s easy to forget the small marketing opportunities that sometimes slip right under our noses – and branding opportunities are top of the list. Think beyond basic business cards and email signatures and get your brand out there on your vehicle, stationery, invoices, proposals and clothing – even your kids’ softball uniforms if the team’s looking for sponsorship.

The big Brands understand this very well

Be social

Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook allow you to open a direct dialogue with customers. If your target market is a clearly definable social group, you can try to tap into that community via blogs, social media comments and tweets. The key is to comment or blog frequently, consistently and with subtlety, emphasizing and promoting your brand values and not just your products or services.

Using Social Networks have been proven to increase brand presence and sales revenues.

Become an expert

Promote yourself to the media as an authority on your sector of business. Contact journalists with story ideas, send in letters to the editor and even try your own hand at press releases related to newsworthy issues affecting your industry. Public speaking can also be an option too, and once you’ve established your credentials, customers seeking knowledge and expertise will start to seek you out over your competitors.

Everyone wants to buy from a trusted advisor.

Network

In many industries, it’s all about who you know rather than what you know. For small businesses looking for a low-cost way to market, networking at the right functions, trade shows and social events can lead to referral partnerships or entrance into a network of companies that refer customers to each other.

Local chambers of commerce are a great place to start.