1 - Reduce your advertising and marketing budget by 50%. This obviously seems a bold statement BUT the truth is that more than likely 20% of your budget accounts for 80% of your return on investment. If you're using 5 different channels of advertising and marketing then statistically 2 of those channels are dominating your results, so dump the other 3. Alternately we can use the money that we save on looking into new avenues for internet marketing. Be sure to speak with your media advertiser and ask/demand a discount, in this unstable economy they are very likely to give you a large discount.
2 - Public relations - PR. As we know, most people believe what they read in the papers, see on TV and hear on the Radio so if we can expertly position ourselves where we are able to incorporate these aspects then 'technically' we are considered an expert. For example you could write a small article or column for your local newspaper, most local newspapers are in need of good quality content. Most local newspapers are able to afford freelance writers so are very likely to welcome your input.
3 - Upselling. Many business owners are cautious about asking their customer to buy more. The idea that they have purchased anyway seems to most owners acceptable, but true success and momentum comes from selling the customer add-ons and 'up-graded' versions of the same product. If you sell a car, the idea is to also sell the alloy wheels, air-conditioning, the cleansing products etc. Remember - if you don't ask, you don't get.
4 - Know your customers. And I mean personally. Contact your top 20 customers and ask to meet, buy them a coffee or lunch and have a chat. We are not trying to sell them anything but we are going to ask them for referrals and to tell their friends about us. Now this may seem over the top and not something that is usual practice BUT remember, we are trying to defy the norm here - if no one else is doing this then it is the perfect reason for us to do it. Knowing your customers is one of the best free marketing strategies that one can do.
5 - Networking. Go to where your target market or synergistic businesses socialise and do business. I'm not on about spending money on joining a Networking Club or a Business Coffee Afternoon but anywhere they are, you should be too. Networking is an incredibly powerful business growth strategy that can take your business to the next level and the greatest thing about it is...it cost's nothing.
6 - Public Speaking. Now, for the more timid individual out there this may seem like a complete no go, but this must not be overlooked. Anytime you get the opportunity to speak in front of a large crowd - really what you're doing is Marketing. Along our business success journey we will encounter many opportunities to speak in public - we must stay aware of these and grab them with both hands. Are you still going to be shy when you realize it may make you 20K in sales?
7 - Sales skills. One thing that no one can ever take away from us is knowledge. We can never have enough knowledge. Read, read, read, learn, learn, learn. There are tons of books out there that will give you the extra skills needed to make even more sales. Becoming a great salesman will be the difference between a mediocre business and a very successful business. Books are relatively cheap, or you can go to the library - but we must learn as much as we can about selling. We must always be prepared to heavily invest in ourselves.
8 - Emails. Emails are FREE and an incredible way to contact and to stay in contact with our customers. If you are not emailing your customers at least once a week then you are not clearing up the money that is being left behind. At least once a week may seem excessive but remember that they don't (and shouldn't) be sales emails. Email them news, info, promotions something that will make them smile and that they can use. Trust me they will love it and it is one of the best free marketing strategies out there - as long as your not hard selling...all of the time!
9 - Joint ventures. What I'm referring to is non-competitive businesses that share the same customer. Lets say that you are in the Pet/animal industry & sell Pet grooming products. Now if you where to refer some off your customers to the local veterinarians then more than likely they will allow you to put some promotional material in their waiting room. You are both in the same industry with the same customer BUT you are not competing for the same customer. Be clever and work together.
10 - Internet Marketing. Become an expert in Online Marketing. Understand that there are thousands of ways to reach and attract new customers for free, via the internet. Research into this and become an expert to really take your business to the next level. There are also hundreds of thousands of sites that will teach you and give you all the tools and information needed including this site ;-) to become at expert in Online Marketing.
I hope you can make good use of these 10 Free Marketing Strategies.
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