Marketing On A Limited Budget

26/05/09

By Claire Elbrow

You don't need huge wads of cash in your budget to achieve your marketing needs. Claire Elbrow of Blue Lizard Marketing explains how:

- Niche marketing

Don't try to sell your product/service to everyone. Decide upon your USP and segment your market carefully.

- Add some value

Try and add some value to your package. Think of small ways you can add value with a limited outlay.

- Website

Pretty much everyone now uses the internet - at lest over 70% of us. Here you can promote your business by giving special offers, information via product sheets or news sections. You can make use of the web tools available such as blogs, podcasts, pay per click advertising and most importantly, search engine optimisation.

- Networking

Go to the local networking meetings within your area and get a feel of other local businesses. Here you can gain new clients, partners or associates. Assess which groups work for you best and why.

- Packaging with other businesses

Some businesses work well with others to offer an attractive package to customers. Build some partnerships with those who would work well with you.

- PR

Get your product/service in front of the media with interesting stories. Build a targeted media list and help journalists out with pictures and graphics which relate to your story.

- Advertising

Although this activity can be cut first from small business budgets, it has a place if it is well thought through and targeted. Only advertise in the publications your target audience are likely to read.

See if you find alternatives to advertising such as offering a competition for a new product/service and build in a mailshot afterwards to those who did not win.

Don't forget to check out internet marketing such as GoogleAds.

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