Creative Marketing Ideas for a Down Economy

Guest post by: Risa B. Hoag
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Creative Marketing Ideas for a Down Economy - By Risa B. Hoag

Let's face it, 2009 is going to be lousy. But complaining about isn't going to help anyone. It's time to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get creative. Here are some marketing ideas to get you started.

First – plan! Set a budget, figure 3% of gross sales as a starting point, commit the dollars and stick with it. Be realistic with your budget, even if it's small, start with a number. Next evaluate your marketing efforts from the past, what was successful, what wasn't.

Next clearly identify your target market, the better you are at fine-tuning who is in it, the better you can market to them. Determine your roadblocks to success – weaknesses, competition, trends, etc. and then determine your competitive advantages – new products, strengths, trends, etc. Plan out the year using a calendar to determine when marketing efforts will take place and what your deadlines are for each activity. Planning in advance with a calendar will help you stick with a plan and have activities to look forward to throughout the year.

Carpe Diem! Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities. These days you have to be creative and think outside the box to locate unique marketing opportunities. It may mean partnering with someone you would have never thought about before. Listen more than you speak! Connect with others and try to connect others within your network, helping others always comes back to you.

Get Googling! Google provides an extraordinarily flexible marketing tool, get onto Google Adwords and play around and start advertising. It is completely flexible in terms of geographic area, budget, keywords, placements, etc. If you're not Googling, I guarantee your competition is!

Grab your partner, Do se do! Partnering with another firm is an easy way to double your marketing dollars and your reach instantly! Think of logical connections first - clients, vendors, complimentary services, then think beyond that and think outside the box. Consider a tri-partnership and triple your budget! Host a networking party together, do a creative joint promotion, distribute a mailing together, provide something free to their clients and vice-versa.

Put pen to paper! Tap into your own expertise and write an informative article. What 5 or 10 tips can you provide to your potential clients!? How can you help them to better understand your industry? As a source of information, you become a trusted resource to both the media and potential clients. Make the article informative and not self-serving. Take a good headshot and send it with the article so people start to know your face. Try industry publications, local business newspapers, association newsletters, etc.

Use your manners! If most of your business comes from referrals and word of mouth (which is likely), how are you saying thank you?! Begin a referral thank you program and be consistent with it. One of my favorite tools for this is SendOutCards (see my bio to try it for free). You'll be able to send cards for as little as .62 customized with your handwriting, signature and logo and get them mailed out for you in less than 30 seconds. This is an easy and inexpensive way to boost recognition and this system can be used to send postcard mailings as well.

Consider the alternative! There are many ways to reach customers when you think creatively. Here are a few alternative ad ideas:

• car magnets (not just for the local painter!)
• on-screen theatre advertising
• advertise on the local dry cleaners bags
• mini sample giveaways
• host an open house
• lawn signs
• church or temple bulletins
• billboards
• inflatable advertising
• contests and giveaways
• scholarships at local high schools or colleges
• host a survey
• offer coupons to other businesses and give theirs
• have your car 'wrapped' with your business information
• teach a course through a local adult ed or college program
• advertise on diner placemats,
• sponsor a local Little League team,
• join the board of a local non-profit organization

Everyone is looking for creative ways to keep business flowing. Perhaps the best and cheapest way to advertise your business is to invite a bunch of folks to a networking breakfast. Even of only one other person shows up, you'll have an interesting breakfast and toss around a few ideas and boost your moral. And it could turn into a monthly networking event that everyone will appreciate!

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Creative Marketing Ideas for a Down Economy - By Risa B. Hoag

About the Author: Risa B. Hoag

RSS for Risa's articles - Visit Risa's website
Prior to founding GMG Public Relations, Inc., Risa was Director of Public Relations with Ernst & Young. Today her firm provides marketing support, plan development, feature story placement, and writing services including press releases, articles, speeches, brochures, newsletters and websites. She is a past president of the Westchester Association of Women Business Owners and twice received that organization’s President’s Award. She has served on the boards of WAWBO Education Fund, Partnership for a Better Westchester, Ad Club of Westchester, Nanuet Chamber of Commerce, and Tappan Zee International Trade Association. Risa has presented marketing seminars to business organizations and universities and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs. Reach her at 845-627-3000 or risa@gmgpr.com Try Risa's favorite marketing tool for free at www.sendoutcards.com/risa
Click here to visit Risa's website.

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