Most marketers suggest spending around 2-5% of gross sales on advertising. But if you don't have enough budget for large ad campaigns, don't worry, you can take advantage of many free ways to reach potential customers and advertise your business. Here's how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Online Marketing
Step 1. Have a web presence
Harness the power of the internet to draw attention to your business. The Web offers a great opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of consumers. Set up a business email and make sure you have at least one logo that is consistent with your business before starting.
Step 2. You use Twitter
Twitter is free, and allows you to interact with customers in an immediate and personal way. Get an account name that is similar to your business name and link the email to the account. You use your logo as an avatar. Follow current customers, family members, friends and other company you admire. Promote your products on your page, but try to be more informal - you might as well offer giveaways to your most loyal customers. Give people a good reason to follow you. Check out the Twitter online guide for more information.
Step 3. Create a Facebook page
Creating a business page on Facebook is free and allows you to interact with customers and other businesses. Give tribute to people who "like" your profile or who share one of your posts, create special offers for customers who follow your business. Many companies give up creating their own website and use Facebook as their company website. Check out Facebook's online guides for more information.
Step 4. Sign up for Yelp
Yelp is a website where consumers can comment and review businesses. You can use the Yelp page to send information and special offers, as well as to measure how well you are serving your customers. Some business owners respond to negative Yelp reviews by contacting the Yelp user directly - this lets potential customers know that you take their concerns seriously. To learn more, check out Yelp's online guides.
Step 5. Sign up for Google Places
Publish your business on Google Places so it will be visible on Google Maps, so people can comment and rate your business. Make sure you have a Gmail account for your business. Yahoo offers a similar service.
Step 6. Create a signature
Every email you send from your business must have a small 3-4 line signature that includes your Facebook page, Twitter and any other useful information.
Method 2 of 3: Use Media
Step 1. Try to get media coverage
Have you just opened your business? Are you supporting a charity club for the holiday season? Have you just completed a special project? Take your story to all the local media and see if they are interested in spreading it. Try newspapers, news and radio programs.
Step 2. Contact the reporters
Some newspapers have journalists who specialize in business and enterprise. Try them as a first point of contact. Also, look for journalists who reach a niche audience - for example, if you have a fishing tackle shop, get in touch with experienced fishing reporters.
Step 3. Do some charity
Many newspapers write reports about charities, particularly during the Christmas period. Host a small charity club where you accept canned food or used products to donate to local homeless people or support organizations. Tell the newspaper about the event and remind them that your business is a sponsor. You could also offer a discount to customers who donate an item.
Method 3 of 3: Increase your leads
Step 1. Use Word of mouth
Offer a gift or discount to current customers who bring you new customers. You could create special cards to give to new customers.
Step 2. Make alliances
Partner with other businesses that offer complementary services to yours. For example, if you sell greenhouses, partner with plant sellers.
Step 3. Host seminars and educational events
If you have a space to host people, offer them seminars on your products. For example, if you sell wine, organize a tasting event.
Advice
- Continue to offer interesting content to your customers via social media by avoiding promoting your products at every opportunity.
- Try to get an easily memorable phone number.
