A bare-bone budget requires creative marketing. This means you need money-making ideas that don’t require heavy check writing. The following promotions are inexpensive and also help you expand your marketing reach.
Build Karma Insurance. When attending an overnight trade show or conference, create wellness bags to give to booth attendants and presenters. Sample packets of aspirin, earplugs, bath salts, lip balm, and chocolates are comforting items to weary travelers.
Sponsor a recycling program. Gather recyclable items from schools, senior centers, or businesses in your community. Promote your recycling initiative (and your business) in a press release. Got a blog? Don’t forget to mention your program there, too.
Buy someone dinner. Place a large fish bowl in a coffee shop or bar. Paste a “Win Free Pizza” sign on the bowl. Let participants know the drawing date and that leaving their business card automatically signs them up to receive your free newsletter. You don’t have to take the winners out for pizza personally, however a gift certificate from a pizza parlor fulfills your part of the bargain. You benefit by increasing your newsletter subscribers.
Promote something you normally wouldn’t. If you have a service that tends to be seasonal give it a new angle and special price in the “off season”. For example a tax accountant with a weak client flow during summer months can teach seminars on ways small business owners can cut taxes.
Sign your email with a tip. In addition to putting your website link in your email, include a how-to tip for something that relates to your product or service. For example, if you’re a pet groomer sign your email with “Eliminate wet dog odor by rubbing a dryer sheet through fur”.
Go post it. Have your favorite printer create a poster listing your product and its benefits. Place the poster where your clients are likely to go for other products and services. Consider dry-cleaners, restaurants, car washes, dog parks, and gas stations.
Ward off amnesia. Send every customer a personalized letter that reminds them you’re still in business. Highlight any new products or services. If you don't have any then advertise free pastries and coffee.
Sonya Carmichael Jones, freelance direct response copywriter and direct marketing consultant helps you rev up your response rates and sales orders with compelling copy and direct marketing strategies. For effective online and offline copywriting and marketing solutions contact Sonya at marketingbuddha.com.
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