Last Updated on August 20, 2022 by
Marketing can be expensive, and it is an undeniable fact. Another undeniable fact is that marketing is an asset which can make or break a business.
If you want your business to grow, it is essential that you invest a great portion of capital in marketing your business. Word of mouth is an excellent way of marketing, but often it is not enough on its own. You need a lot of buzz around in the market for it to reach out to your business prospects.
This is where it becomes challenging for small businesses with a shoestring budget. A company in its own can cost a hand and a leg, and because of the number of options and tasks to complete, marketing sometimes is the one thing that gets skipped.
Well, to avoid this situation, we in this post are going to discuss five marketing tips that can take your small business to a new level without breaking the bank.
Table of Contents
1. Always carry a business card with you
A business card is a way of exchanging information. Not just that, it is also a way to lend some credibility and professionalism. You can meet potential investors for your business or perhaps the clients and vendors in a business event or more, so you must always be prepared.
Not only are business card an inexpensive way of marketing, but it is also a great way to create a professional reputation. Whether you are a ghostwriter or owns clothing brands for women, business cards are the one thing that you can invest in without having to pay a high cost.
However, when it comes to designing a card, it is essential to hire a professional designer to create a logo design and image for the card to be printed. Bear in mind, the image you portray can create the first impression for your audience. Make sure the image can convey your business message.
2. Network
Where it can be said that this strategy goes wildly with the business card marketing strategy, networking can work both ways — online and in person. Likely, your network already knows you and trusts you. But reaching out and letting them know what you do is all they need to know about your business. Even if it is a single Facebook post letting them know about your services and products can gain their trust in your business.
People who know you are most likely to visit your website and even recommend it to another friend. There are many in the world who may need your services and a recommendation from a friend can help them find you.
Not just that, it is also essential to market yourself in the industry. Make sure to attend events and relied on shows which can help you meet people who can help you with your business. Perhaps investors or other companies that can work as an asset for your business.
3. Offer incentives
Being a small business owner, it is likely that you don’t have the budget to start a referral program with custom links and automatic payouts. However, you can offer incentives to your customers on referrals. Email your regular clients, providing them with the benefits of bringing in new customers.
Referrals from the clients can bring you leads who already know what to expect. As it is true, your clients will not send others your way, knowing that the experience was a nightmare.
4. Work with other small businesses
Allying up with other small businesses is a great way to get a new client base to your business. This could be a vendor or any other business that compliments your brand and share a target audience with you.
You can find flexibility in partner shipping and collaborate with businesses. There are different strategies which may include.
- Setting up a referral program where you can send clients to the collaborative business and pay 10% fee on the first project.
- Offering package deal together, for example, if you are offering website designing and development, you can partner up with a designer to share the work.
5. Make sure to work your way through the content
Content marketing is, by far, the most cost-effective and beneficial way of marketing. It allows you to rank for more keywords with fresh content, establishing expertise in the field and offering valuable information to your target audience. Not just that, it also shows that your business is active and running for new customers which is always an excellent way to attract new customers. Your on-site blog must be updated consistently. Blog posts must be relevant to the business and must meet your goals. Keep your content fresh and updated with the market trends to make sure you can reach out to your customers. Not just that, you can also ask for guest blogging. Many sites offer writers to write on their site, keeping their niche in mind. Be creative with content, and you can reach to your audience.
