As a small business, you have a very limited marketing budget, if any at all. Does that mean you can’t get the same amount of business as a big company or that you will let them lead? Absolutely not! It just means you have to be a little more creative.
Understanding your customers’ needs and developing a plan based on those needs helps you promote the solution you provide to their problem. If you can’t solve a problem, it’s time to rethink your marketing plan.
> Get you product into the public eye. Depending on what your product or service is, go into a very busy area of town and hand out leaflets while demonstrating your product (you may need to ask permission to do this).
> Get in touch with the promotions department at the local radio station. They are always holding contests and giving away prizes; so what if one of those prizes were your product of a gift certificate for your service?
> Market services jointly with a company that would benefit from your product or service. Interior designers can team up with builders ot house painters, graphic designers can team up copy writers or print shops, etc…
> Send your exisiting customers a referral that ties into your business and create a buying incentive. It helps out your fellow businessman and creates a dual need that the customer wasn’t aware that he had.
> Make your free stuff better than your competition’s paid-for stuff! If your are giving away a free product to entice people to hire you or come to your store, make sure it’s better than whatever your competition offers. Useful tools that your customers can use is a great way to make your business memorable. Put a little thought into what you are giving away, it will be worth it!
Stuart T. Wilson CPA, PC 