10Great Low

Cost

Marketing Ideas

Referrals 1/ Referral business development scheme with existing customers. Are we asking our loyal customers for referrals? Are we rewarding our customers for referring customers to us?

Loyalty II/ Loyalty reward schemes. These schemes work. But they need to be simple to administer as well as participate within.

Incentives III/ Staff incentives based upon increasing average customer sale transaction, that is increasing average yield per customer. Are we using the Mcdonald’s selling technique? “Do you want fries with that?”Are we maximizing the yield, and rewarding staff for an increased yield. How many times do we go to a coffee shop or cafe, order coffee and cake, the check is placed on the table next to us and they never try to sell us anything else.

Press releasesIV/ Press releases - regular and newsworthy press releases can assist in building your business profile. With today’s range of media, and diversity of smaller targeted demographic publications, the opportunities are endless. Build your business relationships with the media outlets, submitting a variety of press releases, and soon they will contact you seeking comment on issues they are writing about.

Direct V/ Direct marketing, data base or targeted demographic. Does your business compile a data base of current, old and prospective customers? Are you in touch with them on a regular basis? Data base marketing is a timely, cost effective method of building your sales revenues. Remember to read up on the Spam Regulations in your country to ensure you conform with legislative requirements. There are many good web based data base marketing sites available for businesses seeking to use this service. http://mailchimp.com Chimpmail is a great web based application.

SEO VI/ Search engine optimization – improve the effectiveness of your web site. Search Engine Optimization is how improve how people find you on the web. SEO is an effective marketing tool, however there are many businesses claiming to ensure you are No.1 in a google search. Be a little wary of these claims. People making these claims may have difficulty delivering the results.

Networking VII/ Business networking – the local chamber of commerce, BNI or similar can be a great source of leads as you build your business. Get on the mailing lists for various organisations, art galleries, film societies, charities etc. Every month there are countless social occasions where you can be invited as a guest. Consider these as networking opportunities. Take the business cards, be open and frank in discussions. BUT you are not there to sell. Don’t go handing out card to every one. Mingle, socialise and chat. People will always ask what you do. These are low profile, but potentially high return events.

Blogs VIII/ Blogs and website marketing – Linkedin.com wordpress.com are only some of the opportunities to market. Facebook is growing in popularity as a marketing tool. Blog and post regularly, as people search for relevant information, your posts and blogs will be visible. At no cost you are building your profile.

Trade showsIX/ Trade shows as an exhibitor or visitor – you do not have to be an exhibitor to benefit and network at a trade show. Arm yourself with your cards and mingle. Stop and chat with stall holders, exchange information, build your network. If you are a stall holder a simple giveaway like an Ipad in a business card draw will help to build your data base.

Radio X/ Radio advertising – this is the only main stream traditional media that I would list in low cost budget marketing. However please bear in mind, any advertising is expensive if it does not work. I have written a blog regarding sacrificing reach for frequency. If scheduled correctly, radio can produce the results you desire.

More InformationTo maximise your effectiveness as a business and to take advantage of the best low cost marketing ideas, contact:

Peter McCullagh.Solution Based Marketingmccullaghp@gmail.com

0418 562287