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Thanks Kate, It's nice to be reminded that I'm on the right track.
It blows me away to think of a business owner not having business cards. Yikes!
Dawn Lawson At Your Service http://www.freelanceadminsupport.com
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10 Simple and Inexpensive Marketing Tips
Ten simple marketing tips that are either inexpensive or free!
Written Dec 05, 2008, read 1735 times since then.
Here are ten easy, yet effective, tips to help you market your organization. Most are either inexpensive or even free! What are you waiting for? Get started marketing your operation today!
- Have at least a basic website. Since I'm a designer, this might sound like I'm just trying to get your business, but that's not why I'm saying this. Websites really are the most cost-effective way to promote yourself. Not only that, but they are essential to give creditability to your company or organization.
- Create an email signature. Take advantage of all those emails you write. A simple signature should at least include your business name, tag line (if you have one), and your web address so anyone who's interested can learn more.
- List your organization. There are lots of free web directories out there - make sure you're on them! It just takes a few minutes and not only will the listing bring you clients, but it will also improve your ranking on Google.
To find a directory appropriate to your business, do a simple google search. There are many industry-specific directories as well as general web directories and even local directories out there. (A tip for when you search is pretend like you are one of your potential clients, try to think how they would search for your business type). - Use business cards. Surprisingly, many people don't even have business cards. You should always carry a few cards with you, because you never know who you might bump into! Anyone could be a potential client. Your cards should quickly convey who you are, what your business does, and (of course) your contact information.
- Join community or professional groups. Not only will you make great contacts, but you are certain to learn a few things that will help you run your business.
- Use your vehicle as free ad space. Whether you have a vehicle used in your business or simply have your personal car, consider using that space for some cheap advertising. A logo and website address on the back window can drum up more business then you think! You can also use magnetic signs if you prefer something less permanent.
- Write an article. Article writing not only can demonstrate your expertise and/or what your organization has to offer, it also can be free advertising. Submit it to local newspapers or magazines and also to web sites. Don't forget to sign the article with your organization's name and contact information.
- Get feedback. Ask your clients for honest feedback about your product and/or service. You can even offer an incentive for their completion of a survey. The feedback will be an invaluable tool for you to make improvements and you can use the positive comments as testimonials to market yourself. (Just don't forget to ask for permission if you are putting your client's name by the quote).
- Speak up. Offer to share your expertise with business groups, volunteer organizations, or anyone who might benefit from your knowledge and experience. Not only will you be helping others, but you'll make some great contacts!
- Stand out. The best free marketing comes from your clients. Always provide excellent customer service and strive to exceed expectations. It will undoubtedly result in more business.
If you need help with any of the above, just let me know. I'd love to be part of making you successful!
Learn more about the author, Kate Spurrell.
Comment on this article
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Posted by Terra Paley, Los Angeles, California |Dec 09, 2008 Good review of the basics and nicely stated. Thanks for the reminder and number ten is basic but not always remembered.
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Posted by Biznik Community Tech Support, Seattle, Washington |Dec 09, 2008 The power of business cards is greatly underrated.
I was the Marketing Manager for Utilikilts for several years, and our big marketing plan was... every single kilt had a wad of business cards in the pocket! Someone asked you about your new kilt, and you handed them a card... It was a deceptively simple plan, and it worked incredibly well. We even made the PDF available on our web site, and when people ran out of cards in their pocket, they printed more! On their own dime!
This model can be extended to almost any business. If your customer is thrilled with the web site you designed, give them some business cards.
Any time you have an enthusiastic customer, give them 10 or 15 business cards. They cost you basically nothing, and your customer is going to touch people you will never meet.
Sometimes the simplest things really do work the best...
Good article, Kate! - Christian
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Posted by Fred Lebhart, Seattle, Washington |Dec 09, 2008 Great article Kate! We run into potential clients all the time that haven't even developed the most basic of marketing plans...it's amazing how just a few of your suggestions will help business grow!
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Posted by Anita Elder, Seattle, Washington |Dec 09, 2008 I'm helping a friend start her new work-from-home career, so this was a good article to send her.
Lots of good tips that I already implement in my own business and I can see increased results.
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Posted by Julie McCullough Hale, Seattle, Washington |Dec 13, 2008 Thank you for the simple, smart marketing tips!
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Posted by KimAlyse Popkave, Pottsville, Pennsylvania |Dec 13, 2008 Thank you, Kate.
This is a great refresher. Although, I must say that it never ceases to amaze me that some people don't carry business cards. Credibility is quickly lost without them.
Thanks again.
KimAlyse Popkave, M.Ed., CMI, CPPC
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Posted by Kirk Davis, Bellevue, Washington |Dec 13, 2008 Super! When things go wrong in a business, the first thing we say is, "I've got to get back to the basics." You have presented a very nice way to remind me of the marketing basics. Great job!
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Posted by Kimberly Dow, Frederick, Maryland |Dec 15, 2008 Thanks Kate. This is really a great list for marketing starting points! I'd also add that a logo be established for the business (although it may not necessarily be the most inexpensive marketing tool, it's still one of the most important). Even if only a simple text-only mark, a logo is something that should be used on most (if not all) of your marketing materials, from your email signature to your business card and/or website.
I always tell my clients to 1. Get a Logo, 2. Get Business Cards and then 3. Get a web site. These are the three most effective, and most needed, marketing pieces. (and you're right—it's amazing how many people don't have business cards!) Thanks again for sharing your list!
-kim dow, www.kalicodesign.com
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Posted by Susan Templeton, Bellingham, Washington |Jan 18, 2010 Great simple pointers, Kate! Even more important as we go 'everything mobile'. Without online content you may as well be invisible.
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- business
- tips
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