Published:
04/26/2011 08:30pm
Three Affordable Marketing Ideas You Can Implement Today
I get it. You need some affordable marketing ideas you can implement without laying out a lot of cash. But how can you consider even affordable marketing ideas when the budget's tight, your client base is small and you're not quite so confident in your marketing skills?
Affordable marketing is easier than you think. In fact, you can start a new campaign today! After all, marketing is simply a matter of presenting solutions to people who are already looking for them! Using just a bit of creativity, you can implement these three affordable marketing ideas right now.
1. Affordable Marketing Ideas Start at Home
That's right, your home page! When was the last time you took a good hard look at your website or blog to see if it is sending the message you want your prospective clients to see? Ask yourself these questions:
• Is it user-friendly, with an easy-to-find contact form?
• Does your home page give the right "feel" for your business to prospects who may not know you?
• Does it give them the opportunity to sample your work in exchange for their name and email address?
Your website is a snapshot for any potential client to see how working with you can make a difference in their business or their life. You have about 7 seconds to make a positive impression. Keep your home page simple, clear and concise, but informative, friendly and attractive. Take some time to objectively review your home page, to analyze what it's really saying (and if it's easily collecting prospective client's information for you) and then make the necessary adjustments.
2. Affordable Marketing Ideas Are Socially Acceptable
Social media is a terrific way to market your business. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are three of the favored social media sites among many service professionals. When used correctly, social media is highly effective and costs only your time. Use your presence on social media to let people know how you can solve their problems and how they can contact you for more information. When interacting on social media sites, make sure you let your personality shine through.
People don't want to be "sold" when they are on Facebook or Twitter. They are there for networking, true, but they are also looking to develop relationships, for helpful advice and for inspiration to get them through their day. Use this to your advantage and address their needs.
3. Affordable Marketing Ideas Take More Time than Money
When you have a limited amount of cash to spend on marketing, you can compensate for this by spending more of your time. Invest some extra time blogging about common challenges your ideal clients face, delivering a talk on your expertise and creating newsletters for your list.
Investing extra energy into your marketing efforts is a great way to make the most of your down time when business is slow. You should strive to incorporate scheduled time for your marketing efforts into your day. Use this time to write articles, post blogs and get yourself booked for speaking engagements.
Marketing is a necessary part of doing business - and when things aren't as busy as you'd like, effective marketing becomes even more important. To grow your business and achieve your goals, make the most of affordable marketing strategies and use your time wisely to work your plan. You'll find your business growing faster than you thought possible and within your budget.
