1 – Reduce your advertising and marketing budget by 50%. This obviously seems like a bold statement, BUT the truth is, 20% of your budget is most likely going to account for 80% of your ROI. If you are using 5 different advertising and marketing channels, statistically 2 of those channels are dominating your results, so get rid of the other 3. Alternatively, we can use the money we save by finding new avenues for internet marketing. Be sure to talk to your media advertiser and ask/demand for a discount, in this shaky economy you are very likely to get a huge discount.
2 – Public relations – PR. As we know, most people believe what they read in the newspapers, see on TV and hear on the radio, so if we can expertly position ourselves where we can incorporate these aspects, then ‘technically’ we will be considered an expert. . For example, you could write a short article or column for your local newspaper, most local newspapers need good quality content. Most local newspapers are able to pay for freelance writers, so they will most likely welcome your opinion.
3 – Additional sales. Many business owners are cautious about asking their customers to buy more. The idea that they have bought anyway seems acceptable to most owners, but the real success and momentum comes from selling customer add-ons and ‘updated’ versions of the same product. If you sell a car, the idea is to also sell alloy wheels, air conditioning, cleaning products, etc. Remember: if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
4 – Know your customers. And I mean personally. Get in touch with your top 20 customers and ask for a meeting, buy them a coffee or lunch and chat. We are not trying to sell you anything, but we are going to ask you for references and tell your friends about us. Now this may seem like overkill and not something that is standard practice, BUT remember, we’re trying to challenge the norm here; if no one else is doing this, then that’s the perfect reason for us to do it. Knowing your customers is one of the best free marketing strategies one can do.
5- Networking. Go where your target market or synergistic businesses socialize and do business. I don’t like spending money joining a Networking Club or a Business Coffee Afternoon, but wherever they are, you should be too. Networking is an incredibly powerful business growth strategy that can take your business to the next level, and best of all, it costs nothing.
6 – Public speaking. Now, to the more timid individual, this may seem like a complete failure, but this should not be overlooked. Anytime you get a chance to speak in front of a large crowd, what you’re really doing is marketing. Along our path to business success, we will find many opportunities for public speaking; we must be aware of them and take advantage of them with both hands. Are you still going to be shy when you realize that it can 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 additional skills needed to make even more sales. Becoming a great salesperson 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 should learn all we can about selling. We must always be prepared to invest heavily in ourselves.
8 – Emails. Emails are FREE and an amazing way to contact and stay in touch with our customers. If you don’t email your customers at least once a week, then you’re not cleaning up the money that’s being left behind. At least once a week may seem excessive, but remember that these are not (and should not) be sales emails. Email them news, information, promotions, something to make them smile and wear. Trust me, they’ll love it and it’s one of the best free marketing strategies out there, as long as you’re not a hard sell… all the time!
9 – Joint ventures. I mean non-competitive businesses that share the same customer. Let’s say you are in the pet/animal industry and sell pet grooming products. Now, if you want to refer some of your clients to local vets, chances are they will allow you to post promotional material in their waiting room. They are both in the same industry with the same client BUT they are not competing for the same client. Be smart and work together.
10- Marketing on the Internet. Become an expert in Online Marketing. Understand that there are thousands of ways to reach and attract new customers for free, over the Internet. Do your research on 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 necessary tools and information including this site 😉 to become an Online Marketing Expert.
I hope you can put these 10 Free Marketing Strategies to good use.