If you are new startup or an emerging business & don’t have an extravagant advertising budget, you may feel that you are a step behind your competitors. But, you don’t have to worry any more. In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 simple marketing strategies that won’t be heavy on your budget, but can be really effective if implemented properly.
1. BUSINESS WEBSITE
In today’s information age, many customers have taken to online ways to buy their next product. Having a business website will help your customers find you and is the first step of any marketing strategies. Design or update your business website so that it appeals to your customers. Make it look fresh and attractive yet effective & easy to navigate.
2. REFERRALS
A great way to get new customers is through referrals. A network of providers can be a means of getting and giving referrals for goods and services.
3. LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING ABOUT YOU
Customers are expressing their views about the products they use using social media sites more than ever. The social media sites can be a great source for a first hand review about your product/service from your customers. Making you customers, potential customers or business associates your advocates is one of few marketing strategies that does not even cost a cent but goes a really long way in creating the right brand image!
4. JOIN LOCAL BUSINESS CHAMBERS
Joining local trade organizations such as your local chamber of commerce and trade associations can give your business the much required visibility. Also, these organizations give you an opportunity to network within your community. If these organizations, have some sort of magazines published weekly/monthly or quarterly, publishing your articles in such magazines can be very valuable tool to gain prominence in the region.
5. EMAIL MARKETING
A great way to build relationship with your customers is to send regular newsletters to them. These newsletters make your customers being in touch with you all the time.
6. AMAZING OFFERS – FREEBIES & DISCOUNTS
This marketing strategy might be one of the oldest but is still one of the most effective one. The customers feel they are getting more value than what they are paying for.
7. BLOGS
Putting quality content in the form of articles or blog posts on your site is a very effective marketing strategy. Not only it builds reputation for your company, it also gives search engines a reason to index your website. As your website is indexed by popular search engines like Google, Bing etc., it will generate more traffic to your pages.
8. LOCAL SPONSORSHIP
There are many local events such as sports events, gatherings etc. going on in your city. Sponsoring an event or a team, getting your logos printed on t-shirts, sending a press release will build awareness about your brand locally.
9. ASK FOR TESTIMONIALS
Your satisfied customers are a true source of feedback about your products/services. Asking for testimonials from them and publishing it on your website allows prospective customers to build a virtual view about your products & services.