In this
economy we all need to think about creative ways to get the
word out about our business and attract new customers. Here
are a few easy and inexpensive ways to market your business.
(1.) Gas
Gift Cards
Have a promo where your customers need to purchase over a
certain amount and they will get a gas gift card from you!
www.SVMcards.com has
small denominations. You can buy $5 and $10 cards in 10
packs.
COST: The cost of the card you choose. For example,
$5 cards in a 10-pack is $55.
BENEFIT: You will get people who might drive to come
to your store or place an order on the telephone just to get
the gas gift cards!
(2.)
Hand-written Thank-you notes
When you ship out a product, include a nice note that you hand
write to your customers. They will be shocked you did it!
COST: The time it takes to write a note.
BENEFIT:
Your customers could tell their friends about this thoughtful
thing you did which will potentially spread positive word of
mouth.
(3.) Selling to a Business?
Scour www.BizJournal.com
in your area for new business listings; there are hundreds of
them. Also see
www.InfoUSA.com or DemandBase for business addresses
nationally or locally depending on your zip code.
COST: A BizJornals subscription is around $50 - $100
per year (depending on your local area) for 52 editions. Plus
you get the Annual Book of Lists (which is huge) for free.
BENEFIT: You can direct mail the businesses on a
weekly basis and enter them into your contact management
system. I counted about 500 businesses listed with all
contact information in a single week.
(4.) Swap.
Ask a
neighboring business if you can put your business card stack
on their counter and vice versa.
COST:
$10 to print business cards.
BENEFIT: You
may get some new business from people that didn’t know about
you.
(5.)
Advertise on your car.
If the cost of gas hasn’t got you riding your Schwinn around
town, why not put a magnetic sign on your car with your logo,
phone number and web site address on it. Great for sitting in
traffic! While you’re at it, buy a license plate frame with
your info on it, too.
Check out:
www.LogoMagnet.com and Vista Print.
COST: $20-$30.
BENEFIT:
Doesn’t take much and who knows? That person riding next to
you on the highway might just take note. Make sure you find
visible parking spots, too!
(6.)
Tradeshows.
See if a colleague who owns a business would want to share in
a tradeshow booth or sponsorship.
COST: Your time and the actual sponsorship.
BENEFIT:
For half the price you can both get new business.
(7.)
Contests and Awards.
Have people submit their favorite picture of their smile
(dental office) or favorite dog picture (groomer/kennel/vet).
Any type of business can have a “Cutest Pet” contest. We all
love to show off our beloved pets.
COST: Free
BENEFIT:
Your customers drive more traffic to you.
(8.) Post
Videos of Customers.
When a customer walks into your business or you visit one at
their offices, why not take a Flip Camera (cheap) and ask them
to talk about your business. Then simply plug the Flip into
your computer (it has a built-in USB) and upload the videos
right to YouTube. Don’t forget to tag the video with your
company name and some keywords so you will come up high in the
search engine rankings.
COST: Free if you have a camera. Flip is about $99.
BENEFIT:
There is no better advertising than your customer
testimonials. Then you can get ranked in the search engines
more as well.
Ann Barr is a
consultant and sales coach who has written eight books on
sales and marketing. You can email Ann at
Ann@AnnBarrBlog.com
Get a free E-book when you sign up for her free Weekly Sales
Tips e-mailed newsletter at
www.sellingsupplies.com
