It’s well known that effective marketing takes time and money. And usually the more you invest, the better your results. But so many today use the excuse, but I don’t have any money and just don’t market. And guess what? That gets you nowhere. You can market without tapping into the kid’s college funds. Even on a very limited budget you still can and should market your business aggressively. So let’s show you how.
Five Ways to Market on Zero Budget:
1) Branding – One of the best ways to get clients is to brand yourself well. When someone consistently sees your company and it has that look and feel of you and your business and all that you have to offer, they connect with you and want to hear more. Branding consists of consistent theme on your website, social media, information you send out (such as proposals, etc.) and more. This costs you nothing, but a real look at your target audience, what you offer, your personality, etc., and then taking the steps to make sure it looks and feels that way. Now of course, you could hire someone to help with your branding, but you too can do it on your own. And best yet, no matter what stage of your business, you can rebrand. Go ahead, get started now.
2) Blogging – It’s FREE! All it takes is your time and of course your experience to write an effective blog and offer something of value. You should be doing this on a regular basis. It’s your opportunity to show off your expertise and also bring traffic back to your site. I recommend setting up your blog on your own WordPress site, but also guest blogging as well. Have a consistent theme and use similar keywords in your title to gain even more exposure. Also, be sure to add in a call to action at the end of each blog post with an invitation to sign up for your newsletter or check out your Facebook page. Include easy ways for others to share as well. And another fabulous tip is to make sure it looks great by dividing it up with bullet points, headings, graphics and more. (Thanks Nancy Seeger for that!)
3) Social media – Again – it’s FREE and it works. But remember, it’s all about connections, building relationships, adding value, and showing your personality. Don’t just post tip after tip or retweet everything out there. Show who you are and what you offer. Be sure to effectively use your hashtags as well to gain even more exposure in front of your target audience. Engage in your social media by following those who also add value that you find with the same hashtag. Use social media effectively to get people back to your site or to sign up for your newsletter. Use the 80/20. 80% engagement, 20% promotions. Also, know where your targeted audience and spend more time there. Not saying you can’t enjoy the other social networks, but focus where you can get the most results.
4) Article marketing – Great way to convey all you know and it’s so easy to do. Write an article – 350 to 600 words. I use this formula – keyword-driven title, opening paragraph that summarizes the article, three or five bullet points that supports the article, closing paragraph that sums it up, and bio that sells you well. It works! Now send it to quality places such as EzineArticles. Also, add your article to your blog, newsletter, social media, create a pitch from it, etc.
5) Radio shows – There are a bazillion blog talk radio shows. Write an effective pitch on why you would make a great guest and the value you would add and research places that would be a good targeted fit. Send it out and then be prepared to do a great job once on air. Remember even though you are promoting your business, you are offering value and information. They will contact you if they are interested in hearing more.
See how easy that was. And as always the most important ingredient to success is to be consistent.
Here’s my breakdown for success. Now of course it would be fantastic to do more, but at least follow through with this plan.
• Branding – ongoing, but initially it takes time to get it set up.
• Blogging – once a week.
• Social media – at least twice a day.
• Article marketing – write one a month and be sure to add it to your blog, newsletter, social media, create a pitch from it, etc.
• Pitching for radio shows – One new pitch every month. Plus, great follow-up to any shows you have appeared on.
Can you see that even on a limited budget, you can market your business? Just remember too that once those dollars start rolling in, it pays to spend a little and put back into your business.
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