| |
| |
|
Marketing Information |
|
Marketing Tips: Free First
When people think about promoting their business, the first thought that comes to mind is, "What is is going to cost?" While marketing and advertising should be part of any well-considered budget, there are a number of opportunities to market your business for free that are often overlooked. Clubs & Organizations Most clubs and organizations have some sort of membership directory, either online or in print, sometimes both. Make sure that your business information is complete and accurate. Organizations also often have member spotlights or bios. If an organization that you are a member of offers this, be sure to submit your information. Community Web Sites There are a number of community web sites that offer free business directory listings. Email Signatures Make sure that every email you send has your business information, web site, and tag line. Business Cards Hand your business card to every person that you meet. Networking Meetings Attend networking meetings and have a brief (30 seconds) description of your business ready. If the meeting allows promotional material to be handed out, have flyers or coupons on hand. Professional Associations If you are a member of a professional association, be sure to provide all of your company details, along with your web site url, for listing in their directory. Articles Write informative articles on subjects that are pertinent to your business and submit it to area web sites, newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. Public Speaking Look for opportunities to speak on topics related to your business. Press Releases Write a press release and submit it to local and national news sources. There are countless topics for press releases, new products, services, awards, and events. If something exciting happened to your or your business, let people know about it. Online Forums Become a resident expert in an online forum that is either related to your business or is in your area Business Bags Many events and conferences offer business bags to attendees. Sometimes you have to be a sponsor or advertiser to include your promotional items, but many times the organizers are just looking for things to fill the bags and leave it open to anyone who supplies items. Local Businesses Many local businesses offer a place to leave business cards or flyers. Ads Yes, sometimes ads can be free. I've offered this when I need to fill a space and I'm short on time. If an opportunity like this presents itself, you need to have an ad ready to go. Take Full Advantage of Opportunities Available I've put together a lot of different types of promotional packages: newsletter, programs, directories, online directories, and sponsor packages. No matter what the format, there are always people that miss out of opportunities, even ones that they have paid for, because they didn't submit their information on time. So have a plan of action and be prepared. Copyright 2005 - Carla Alvarez, Legacy Marketing Services Carla Alvarez is owner of Legacy Marketing Services which provides integrated marketing services for businesses including business identity, web and CSS development, and business development seminars.
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
It Takes Two - How to Cultivate Profitable Alliances "Cross promoting with other businesses can give you a significant advantage over the competition, with many benefits and cost savings." -Heidi Richards-More and more competition in the marketplace is making it necessary for companies to find creative ways to connect with customers and prospects, to enhance brand identity and attract top-notch employees. Do You Really Know Your Prospect? I'd like to introduce you to someone. I don't actually know his name, but I'm hoping you do. 4 Sales Strategies with Your Trade Show Exhibition Booth Trade show booths can act as an excellent source for generating sales enquiries in the short run. Companies are able to demonstrate their products or services and get instant enquiries at the booth which on timely follow up can result in sales. Eight Steps To A Great Marketing Plan Step 1: Where Am I Now? Before you decide where you want your marketing plan to take you,you need to find out where you are now. How have you positioned your business in the market? How do your customers see you? You may want to ask some of them for feedback. Unique Selling Proposition - Your Competitive Advantage! To capture a larger market share and be viable, sustainable and profitable, you absolutely need to differentiate or distinguish your business, products and/or services from your competitors.In other words, you need to make your business special in the eyes of your customers and/or prospects. The 4 P s of Marketing: Effective Marketing Programs Depend On Them There is no shortage of marketing programs, many with great profit potential. The challenge is to sift through and choose the ones that are right for your situation -- the ones that have the greatest potential to grow your business. Turbo-Charge Your Viral Marketing- Five Easy Ways The world of marketing has changed. With increasingly better educated and more skeptical consumers, marketing methods must be increasingly accountable. How Can I Get Name Recognition? Some of the ways in which to get your "name out there" are to call your local television and radio stations, and ascertain whether there is a medium you can get your name in. A very good source are public stations that hold auctions, at which you can donate your services. Joint Venture: 50 Power Secrets Of Joint Venture Marketing, Exposed What is a Joint Venture?A joint venture is an agreement in which two or morebusinesses work on a project for a set period of time.Joint ventures can be long-term, like promoting aproduct together, or some can be short-term, likebartering (trading) products and services. Mortgage Broker Marketing - Sell Problems, Not Solutions Are your marketing messages to Realtors® guilty of these promises?- To render great customer service?- To close loans on time?- To offer the best competitive rates?- To help them make more money?- To deliver referrals or free leads?- To co-market services?- To qualify all buyers through a diversity of programs?Guess what?Realtors® have heard this before. So much so, that they've become immune to listening. Let It Ring Telemarketing has its place in the marketing arsenal. But telespammers - like their digital counterparts in the email marketing world - really make it tough on the legitimate follow-up telephone call from a company with which you have a relationship. Be Prepared for Marketing For most businesses, making a sale is all important. However, despite the amount of effort and attention given to getting sales, there is often no attention given to developing and effectively implementing a systematic marketing process. Always Sell To New Eyes And New Ears One of the hardest things for you to do as an advertiser to do is to step into your prospect's shoes and really understand what makes him buy, and to find out how the prospect reacts to your marketing and advertising efforts. It's easy to get caught up in thinking that just because you spent $14,000 -- or $140,000 -- on your latest batch of ads that every person on Earth saw the ads and paid really close attention to them. Educating Your Customers One of the biggest marketing mistakes businesses make today is failing to educate their prospects and customers about the unique advantages that are being offered to them. The cornerstone of any marketing plan should be to educate your customers. Spice It Up! Rib Festival Teaches Us About Product Value The Rib America Festival is a fun filled family event featuring award winning BBQ and live entertainment from national, regional and local talent. Each rib cooker features their very own special cooking strategy and recipes that make for a truly unique food festival experience. Mail Orders Most Common Mistakes THE GREAT MAIL ORDER MYTH There are a number of totally unrealistic beliefs about the mail order business. To belive in any of them can be dangerous to your pocketbook. Tie-In With Others To Maximize Your Business Leverage One of the most rewarding, inexpensive, under-used, and effective methods of marketing is to tie in your marketing efforts with the efforts of others.The cost of acquiring a new client or customer is enormous. Telemarketers Dont Like Them? Heres An Idea For Ya! Telemarketers.. People Arent Interested in You or Your Company Does your Web site talk about your company? Yes, I know, it's your company Web site! But the last thing it should talk about is your company.Yes, I'm sure you're all cool, interesting people, with fantastic skills, but trust me, that's not what you need to lead with on your Web site - or mailing or brochure. 10 Important Steps to Mail Order Success There are a number of difficulties a beginning entrepreneur may encounter that can "torpedo" his business almost before he knows it. But the wise mail order dealer can sidestep some of the pitfalls of operating his own business by recognizing and avoiding the following common mistakes.
|
| home | site map | contact us |