We’ve all heard the riddle:
If a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around….does it make a
sound? Think of that riddle in the
marketing world. It’s like having a
high-quality billboard promoting your business placed in the desert. Nobody will see your efforts or know that you
exist. As a business owner, you know you
need to market your business, especially if you’ve just very recently opened
your doors. It’s the only way you can attract customers to your brand!
Unfortunately, budgets are typically tight. Small business owners rarely have the large
budget needed to compete with the ‘big dogs.’
Without a sizeable wad of cash, marketing becomes extremely difficult.
But it isn’t impossible!
Start with the basics and go from there. (and don’t spend your money on a billboard in
the desert!)
Create the Very Best Logo You Possibly Can
Creating a logo will cost a little bit of money upfront, but
it’s an investment that will pay for itself in a relatively short period of
time. We wouldn’t recommend trying your
hand at design with this important part of your brand.
Research and hire a company with a portfolio that speaks to
you. And what’s great is, once you pay
for the logo – it is yours. You own it
and can use it however you see fit!
It is important to note that your logo should incorporate
the color scheme of your business. You
want people to take notice of your logo, but don’t make it too artsy. You want a simple design that speaks to your
business and can be easily reproduced on promotional and collateral pieces.
Start a Blog
There are many reasons to start a blog. And don’t worry, if you’re not a good writer,
there are many freelancers and businesses, like SK Consulting that can
help. Here are some benefits:
- Attracting
an audience
- Building
rapport with customers
- Establishing
authority in your industry
Blogging can get expensive so shop around to find the best
writer for the right price. You can try
your hand at blogging, but make sure you have a second and third pair of eyes
to edit your work and incorporate SEO and key phrases.
One great thing about starting a blog is the fact that you
can fund it later on down the road when there’s more cash to go around. All you
have to do is look for a content writer to join your team when the time is
right.
Get on Social Media
Social media is one of the easiest ways to do a little
marketing without spending any money. It’s free to start a business account on
platforms that include Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
There are two approaches you can take. If you have the time,
you can join as many social media platforms as you can to attract people to
your brand, or you can choose just one or two to spend your time on. No matter
which method you choose, make sure that have time to update your accounts
often.
Also, make sure there’s a strategy behind your posts. After all, social media is more than pretty
pictures and sales pitches. You need to
be educational, relevant and authentic! Testimonials and videos are sure-fire
ways to grab attention of potential customers.
Do Some Guerilla Marketing
Guerilla marketing is a fun way to get your brand noticed! Here
are some low-cost ideas:
- Network,
network, network – there are many free networking groups that you can join
and share your business and business card with others
- Use
creative, inexpensive signs to point to your store (think sidewalk chalk
or sandwich board signs)
- Give
away free samples at an event – find events that align with your business
and show up with free samples
- Use inexpensive
promotional items to share your logo and website
You don’t have to have thousands of dollars burning a hole
in your pocket to do a little marketing! You can get your business noticed by
new customers and clients without spending money you don’t have. Need help
establishing your marketing goals within your budget? Contact the experts at SK Consulting
today! From concept to creation to
implementation – we’re there with you every step of the way!
