Low Budget Marketing Methods...

Are These The Missing Ingredients in Your Business?

Low budget marketing methods... those that use them will be around in years to come, those that don’t, probably won’t.

It’s not easy starting a new business, it’s not supposed to be. If it was everybody would be doing it and everybody would be successful.

Generally speaking, when someone kicks off, they’re running on very tight budget so many don’t even consider doing any marketing.

Those that treat marketing is a cost generally don’t do much, but those the treat is as an investment have the right mindset, do more of it and are largely far more successful.

“What, marketing?? – way too expensive”

Contrary to popular belief, marketing does not cost the earth nor is it rocket science, it’s simply applying proven, cost effective methods & strategies to a problem, to solve it.

There are many low budget marketing methods that you can use in your business to create a steady flow of warm, qualified prospects for you to turn into customers.

You Need a Budget and... It Doesn’t Have to Be Big!

To succeed, your first step should be to find yourself a guru and squeeze him until you’ve got every drop of small business advice out of him

Then, create yourself a small business marketing plan but before you charge off to discover low budget marketing methods, you should create a realistic budget that you’re comfortable with and able to maintain.

Even if you intend to allocate a relatively small amount, say $100.00 per month, then that amount is your budget and you need to stick to it. As long as the allocated amount does cause undue strain on the business &/or stress on you.

Regardless of the amount, a budget is your guideline and will assist in avoiding those “once in a lifetime, absolutely cannot lose” opportunities that will come along. You know the ones I mean.
Here’s a Tip... over time, many marketing opportunities will come your way and not all of them will be as good as they seem or worth the money, so choose carefully.

Focus on profit maximization and always... always... always test & measure the results of all your advertising and marketing campaigns and stick to the ones that work best.

Who Do I Sell To?

By definition, low budget marketing methods allow you the opportunity to market your products & services more often... but who to?

To find out, take advantage of any and all marketing information that you can get your hands on.

Do some research on target marketing so you can find out who your customers are. Then, find low budget marketing strategies that may work for your type of business.

Find out who your target market is, and find ways to reach them. Consider direct response marketing to kick start a relationship marketing campaign.

Think about some web site marketing strategies and read Seth Godin’s book on permission marketing.

What about some guerrilla marketing tactics, classified ads in a newspaper or trade magazine ads.

Discover the strengths & weaknesses of you and your competitors by conducting a SWOT analysis.

Remember... whatever low budget marketing methods you intend to use, always test different ads, various headlines & text, etc so you know what’s yielding your best ROI.

What About Strategic Alliances?

Forming strategic alliances (or joint ventures) is great for B2B marketing campaigns. Research businesses (online or bricks & mortar) that share the same customer profile as you. In other words, what other goods & services do your customers purchase?

Most important...an alliance partner should be a complimentary business but never, ever a competitor. This ensures that there’s little or no chance of any ‘poaching’ going on.

For example, you business may sell copy machines and general stationery and your alliance partner may be a printing company. The people that each of you deal with at each business will more than likely hold similar positions such as purchasing officer, office manager, general manager or admin manager.

The alliance partners can then go about promoting each other’s products & services as they’ll be talking to the right person or decision maker.

If you’re just starting out and don't have a customer base or you only have a small one, you can develop a win/win situation whereby pay business owners a commission on sales resulting from their referrals.

Advertising

Low budget marketing methods can include advertising. If you’re thinking about low budget advertising in the press, check out what deals are available.

See if you can wrestle a discount if you commit to multiple ads or lengthy periods. Many companies involved in online promotions will usually allow advertisements in their e-newsletters or e zines.

Search for those that compliment your business but do not compete with it.

And Then Came The Internet

Internet based marketing is a fabulous tool for low budget marketing methods whether your business is bricks & mortar or virtual.

You can establish a website so your customers can research your products & services, obtain quotes & place orders without leaving the office or home.

No good having all this technology & not using it. A well designed & functional web site also sends a powerful message that you are technically savvy and ‘with it”.

You can place small pointer ads in the press & trade publications, directing readers to your web site and you can track where the clicks are coming from.

This allows you to cut advertising costs and test each ad to see which ones are converting better.
It’s arguable that the Internet really is the best option for your low budget marketing methods.

Bio
Peter Kirkham lives in Perth, Western Australia. He’s been a small business owner since 1996 and he currently runs a small print broking business. Several years ago, through no fault of his own, Peter lost four major customers who, collectively, accounted for 35% of his sales.

Crisis brings change... Peter vowed there & then to learn everything he could about low cost marketing methods so he would never face that situation again. His website www.low-budget-marketing-methods.com is the culmination of all he has learned and he’s made it available it to everyone, for free.

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