Tweet

Ten Tips for Busting the Marketing Budget

Guest post by: Karen McNulty

Article Overview: If you're a new business, small business or just short of spare money to do your marketing justice at the moment, then making use of low-cost marketing methods might just get you through. It's a misconception that marketing has to be expensive - in fact, the more creative you can be with the budget you have, the more you could save year on year.

Ten Tips for Busting the Marketing Budget

You might not even have a marketing budget! If that's the case, then this article is definitely for you. If you're a new business, small business or just short of spare money to do your marketing justice at the moment, then making use of low-cost marketing methods might just get you through. It's a misconception that marketing has to be expensive - in fact, the more creative you can be with the budget you have, the more you could save year on year.

Think about:

1. Making your own flyer to tell your customers what you do. If you know what you're doing you might want to use desk top publishing software; if not you can even do these using a word processor - have a look at the templates provided and see if any would work for you. Then only print as many as you need. Remember to use good quality paper and do something to make it stand out (try folding your paper in an unusual way). You can even make your own business cards if you buy the template card from good stationers.
2. Giving your customers incentives to recommend you. If your service is good this can be very cost-effective as new customers can cancel out the incentive for the referrer - provide them with a voucher when the referral buys from you, for example.
3. Networking! This is virtually free and the more people you meet face to face to talk about your business the more likely they are to want to do business with you. Find you local business club or local (free!) business events to go to.
4. Making a sign for the back of your car. If you print out a message as large as you can manage and stick it inside your rear screen - that's free advertising!
5. Doing your own leaflet drop. Having made your own at budget cost, go out and hand deliver them - or find a young person to do it for you for some extra pocket money.
6. Contacting your local paper and offer to write a column on your area of expertise. It's free advertising if they let you and papers are often looking for new material.
7. Adding a promotional message to the bottom of your e-mails - free advertising again!
8. Run a competition in your local newspaper - this gives you exposure and you get follow-up publicity when the prize is won.
9. Thinking of a wacky idea to promote your product or service that will either get news coverage or grab attention. If you sell food - get out into the street with samples, or if you sell stationery - dress up as a pencil and give out leaflets in the street (yes, really). If you're an underwear seller get somebody outside the shop to model it for you - why not? People will remember you!
10. Getting some testimonials. These are free and you can use them on your website and other marketing material to show how good your service is. An excellent way to get a strong promotional message across.

Have you got any other budget ideas that have worked for you? If you have, don't forget to jot them down for use again.

Related Articles
  3 Ways To Improve Your Emotional Intelligence
  Pick Yourself Up and Dust Yourself Off
  Squeeze Maximum Results from Your Marketing Budget
  How To Set Up Your Budget for Marketing
  Get the Budget - Skip a Wild-Goose Chase
  Writing and Publishing eBooks Made Easy #10 - Selling and Promoting Your eBook
  Living on a Budget Still Possible In Today's Tough Economy
  Top 3 Network Marketing Lead Generation Methods When Marketing On A Budget! ~GUARANTEED SUCCESS
  How to maximise the Return on Investment from Your Marketing Budget
  3 Tips Every Female Entrepreneur Should Know About Business Budgeting
  Are you a Guerrilla
  3 Fearless Rules - The Formula For Powerful Presenting
  Entrepreneurs – Do You Really Need A Marketing Strategy?
  Marketing Plan Tips
  Stretch Your Pay Per Click Marketing Budget For Better Online Income Profits
  Make A Fortune Starting With A Small Budget In Multi Level Marketing Opportunities! ~REVEALED
  How To Market An Internet Business The Low Cost Way
  Effective low budget internet marketing strategies
  Top 5 Tips for Starting a Internet Based Business
  A Customer Centric Marketing Budget!

Article Tags: marketing budget, marketing methods, new business, small business



Related Forum Posts
Business Tips - How about: Tips for managers to handle employees more effectively? Tips on how to deal with difficult customers? Tips on how to deal more effectively with suppliers? The only three I have in mind right now, but will try to come up with something else. Chris
Re: MLM Marketing, youtube, and buzzirk mobile. - I have experience with MLM too. My initial reaction to the business was "snake-oil salesman" but once I got to understand the "overall business model" I am now an advocate to it. MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is also known as Network Marketing. I realized an MLM business is no different than any other business. One needs to focus on both words "Network" and "Marketing" and give both equal respect. Some people focus heavily on the Networking part but forget "Marketing". I've started to use Building on a Budget and Magnetic Sponsoring concepts in my NM business and have found that people don't get involved so much because of the product but more because of what you bring to the table as far as marketing systems and support. I have both products listed in my signature. you don't have to buy it as the link to the free videos itself provides you a good understanding of what is required to position yourself as my above paragraph. If you do plan on purchasing it I can tell you that the measly $40 will open your eyes BUT your upline will not be too happy (atleast in the short term) beacuse the system is not duplicateable. I wrote this post as a polar post to Bulmer's reply as I have exhausted the friends and family networking and realized i never really focused on marketing. My leads now are more qualified and open to hearing about my opportunity than the other way around. my 2 cents if you plan on growing an MLM or Networking Marketing business.
Re: What is your Business? - We are running a Online Marketing Firm and we have some good clients to which we are offering a complete Digital Marketing strategy like Search, Mobile Marketing, Branding and Design. I think in Online Marketing company online presence can be a wining factor for the success of the company.
Re: Let’s talk about the ways of marketing your products, servic - I agree with some of the others who responded it depends on what your selling... but to answer your questions here are some of the methods I use. Forum Marketing Yahoo Answers (I need to use more of) SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Bum Marketing or Article marketing P-P-C (Pay Per Click) Marketing Online Directories Hope this helps.
Re: Should Evan add a "Social Media Marketing" category to the f - Hi, Online Marketing would be a great title, and having sub categories would make it even better, there would plenty of categories to choose from, Social Media, SEO, Article Marketing and yes even Affiliate Marketing to name just a few, great looking site btw Jeff, take care, Carol


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Avoid Burnout: Do the Limbo Regularly

Top Ten Home-Based Businesses

WHAT IS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.