|
|
How To Measure and Improve Site Success, Part 1: Plan and Evaluate Marketing Programs
Measuring and understanding your Web site's success is a critical process that is sometimes overlooked. Many times, marketing efforts stop at getting traffic to the site. Traffic alone, however, does not make a site successful. By "connecting the...
Marketing to a Global Audience
Are your internet marketing efforts focused solely on the United States? If so, you may be passing up on one of the best opportunities ever to reach a global audience. The entire world has the opportunity to access the internet and many people are...
Seven Common Marketing Problems Solved by Marketing Operations
Corporate marketing groups - especially bandwidth-challenged small-to-mid-sized departments - can be so focused on tactics and fire fighting that they jeopardize their marketing investment. There is a tendency to overreact to events, to tackle...
Ten Ways to MROI--Maximize the Return on Your Investment in Marketing
Permission is granted to reprint article provided bio line is kept intact. MROI means Maximizing Return on Investment. How do we do this in marketing? Track, measure, analyze, strategize. The more data you get, and the more you massage it, the more...
The 10 Commandments of Guerrilla Marketing Design
Guerrilla Marketing Design is more an attitude than a system of do’s and don’ts. It’s an attitude that emphasizes the efficient and memorable delivery of information. -First Commandment: Purposeful Guerrilla Marketers view design not as a...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Simple, Cheap and Effective Marketing Strategies
Every start-up business goes through phases of needing to try something different to increase their exposure and bring in new clients. Even established businesses need to revisit their marketing strategies every once in a while to help bring in new and repeat business.
The consensus among most small business owners is that certain marketing techniques will work for some small business owners but may not be as successful for others. They also agree that the cheaper the method, the better.
I have put together a list of some cost effective marketing strategies that small business owners have found successful, during their startup phase and beyond.
1. A company website. This is probably one of the best and most cost effective forms of having your company visible to your potential clients....and its available 24/7! If you have the time and patience to learn to put something together, give it a try! Or, consider hiring a professional designer in order to get an exceptional site. The benefits of having a website are definitely worth the expense. But remember to shop around and be comfortable with your designer... and the money you pay.
2. Signs in or on your vehicle. Window decals are fairly inexpensive considering their lifespan. Remember to include your website address. If funds are really short, make signs on Bristol board and put them inside the windows. You can also get Licence decals . These can include your website address, company name, and phone number and fit nicely around your licence plate.
3. Join your local business associations. And don't forget to get involved! Your local Board of Trade or Chamber of Commerce can provide an abundance of opportunities for your business. The networking events are a way to meet other business professionals in your community. And, getting involved in the committees allows you to share your expertise and be recognized by your fellow members.
4. Pinup Flyers. Include a tear-off section on the bottom and put the flyers up at your local stores and other locations that may have bulletin boards.
5. Fax Broadcast. Design an informational or fun page, similar to a newsletter, and send it out to fax numbers for your target market. Please note that fax broadcasting is not allowed in some areas of some countries, so be sure it is okay in your area.
6. Keep in touch marketing, such as a personalized thank you to a new client or contact, a Christmas card that simply says thank
you, and a monthly newsletter (print and/or online) to all your customers and contacts.
7. Iron on transfers. As a small business owner you already eat and sleep your business, so why not wear it too. You can purchase the transfers at your local business supply store and, I imagine, at craft stores. Then it's just a matter printing your logo (or whatever you want on the shirt) onto a transfer and ironing it on.
8. Articles & Press Releases. Writing articles is a good way to receive exposure and it also helps you to be regarded as an expert in your field. Press releases can be used to announce a new business, when you provide a new service, or any other time you have some news to tell. There are 2 keys to a press release... the Headline and making sure it doesn't sound like an advertisement, but more like it is news.
9. Networking. This is another highly beneficial and cost efficient way to get the word out about your business. Attend designated networking events as often as possible. Also, when possible, follow the Three Foot Rule... if appropriate, strike up a conversation with anyone within 3 feet of yourself and be sure to bring up your business.
10. Testimonials. These can be implemented into many pieces of marketing. Include a sentence or two in your advertisements, brochures, newsletters, and you can even dedicate a whole page on your website to the kudos your receive from satisfied clients.
No matter which marketing efforts you use, keep track of where your inquiries and new clients are coming from. Don't be afraid to ask them how they heard about you and/or your business. Asking only takes a couple of seconds and the results will show you which strategy is working for you the best.
Put your imagination to work... instead of your wallet and watch the business roll in.
For more cost effective marketing strategies, be sure to check out our ebooklet, 25 Cost Effective Marketing Strategies (Plus 10 Tips to Make Them Successful) at http://www.docutype.net/booklets.htm
About the Author
Janice Byer (CCVA, MVA) of Docu-Type Administrative & Web Services, provides professional & creative Virtual Assistance and Website Design. For more helpful small business and marketing information, view her NEW Information Ebooklets; read her ebook, Surfin' the Net - Docu-Type's Virtual Collection of Links; sign up for her free newsletter, Virtual TidBits; and read all of her published Articles, at http://www.docutype.net
|
|
|
|
|
KnowThis: For Marketing, Market Research, Internet Marketing ... |
KnowThis.com offers a wealth of information, forums, and resources for professionals, academics and students in traditional and internet marketing, ... |
www.knowthis.com |
  |
Marketing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Marketers depend on marketing research, both formal and informal, ... The next big thing is a concept in marketing that refers to a product or idea that ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
  |
Marketing - Marketing Strategy - Marketing Plan - Marketing ... |
Learn about marketing careers, the stages of developing a marketing plan, how to begin marketing research, create a marketing strategy, and how to market ... |
marketing.about.com |
  |
Marketing.org - Home of the Business Marketing Association |
Serves the professional, educational and career development needs of business-to-business marketers. |
www.marketing.org |
  |
Welcome - American Marketing Association - www.marketingpower.com |
Dedicated to serving the educational and professional needs of marketing executives. |
www.marketingpower.com |
  |
Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR News - Brand Republic |
Find the latest Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news from Brand Republic, the online resource for up to the minute advertising and marketing news and ... |
www.brandrepublic.com |
  |
Marketing Magazine - Marketing News - Brand Republic |
Marketing Magazine - Marketing News - Brand Republic. |
www.brandrepublic.com |
  |
Marketing (Canada) |
Offers a Canadian source of news and articles on marketing, advertising and media. |
www.marketingmag.ca |
  |
BidVertiser - Pay Per Click Advertising On Sites Of Your Choice. |
Pay per click advertising - online advertising directly on sites of your choice, internet marketing solution for online advertisers. |
www.bidvertiser.com |
  |
Online Behavioral Contextual Advertising and Marketing. |
Promote your business with today's most effective online advertising technology, contextual advertising at a cost effective metric of CPC, PPC, CPM or CPV. |
www.clicksor.com |
  |
Sales Jobs / Marketing Jobs / Advertising Jobs - MarketingJobs.com |
Employment site for marketing and sales professionals. |
www.marketingjobs.com |
  |
The Chartered Institute of Marketing |
The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the world's largest international marketing professional body and helps with career support and information ... |
www.cim.co.uk |
  |
Marketing: See what people are saying right now on Technorati |
See all blog posts tagged with marketing on Technorati. |
www.technorati.com |
  |
Marketing Profs - Marketing Concepts and Strategies: Expert ... |
Marketing knowhow from professionals. Newsletter, articles and how-to's. |
www.marketingprofs.com |
  |
Guerrilla Marketing Online - The Official Site |
Guerrilla Marketing Online is anonline magazine for small business, entrepreneurs, sales people and marketers of all kinds. |
www.gmarketing.com |
  |
Business Marketing - Small Business Marketing |
Business marketing - Read everything your need to know about small business marketing. |
www.entrepreneur.com |
  |
All About Marketing |
Adapted from Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation ... Inbound Marketing Includes Market Research to Find Out: ... |
www.managementhelp.org |
  |
Pages tagged with "marketing" on del.icio.us |
USA Network Announces a NASHVILLE STAR Marketing Partnership With ... - Yahoo! ... Direct Marketing Association: Telephone, Mail & Internet Marketing ... |
del.icio.us |
  |
ClickZ Internet Marketing Solutions for Marketers |
Includes columns with commentary and analysis on a wide variety of internet marketing subjects ranging from B2B marketing to search engine marketing. |
www.clickz.com |
  |
Direct Marketing Association: Telephone, Mail & Internet Marketing |
Trade association for users and suppliers in the direct, database and interactive marketing fields, offering seminars and resources, and lobbying for ... |
www.the-dma.org |
  |
|