Marketing on a budget? What NOT to do
"I have many marketing ideas but no money to implement any. It's very frustrating! "If your marketing budget consists of $ 85 left after paying bills, then listen. Here are three things you should not do if you are marketing on a shoestring budget. 1. NO Cancel Existing Ads If you are marketing on a shoestring budget: If sales are not what they hope will be one of the worst things you can do is cancel the existing advertising that works. Many small business owners panic when things tense. They figure to start advertising again "when things improve." How can we expect to improve if you pull the ads? [Note: I'm just referring to the publicity that has worked for you in the past - no advertising.] When things get tight is precisely when you should be marketing. This is what marketing on a shoestring budget is all about. Random, advertising (ie advertising only when you think you can afford it) is like yo-yo diets. In the end, you're just throwing money away because they do not give customers enough time to find out if your ad is 1 week and next 6. Stretch your ad dollars when you are marketing on a shoestring budget: Instead of placing Large ads when you are flush with cash, always pretend that they are marketing on a shoestring budget and place classified ads all the time over a long period of time. And, earlier place. Takers ads are much more likely to offer discounts if you buy early for an extended period. This leads to some of the heat emitted when you hit an economic slump. 2. Do not miss anything if you are marketing on a shoestring budget: Just because you can not afford to do what you want to do is no reason to do nothing. OJ Get FREE PublicityYou are marketing on a budget! One of the most effective things you can do when you are marketing on a shoestring budget is to compile a list of journalists and emailing articles (which you should do this even if you are not marketing on a budget) . Smaller newspapers, especially, always looking for newsworthy items for publication. The key here is "newsworthy." The pieces should not be an advertisement for your business, but the information of the newspaper readers would be interested in that you can somehow tie into your business. For example, some favorites of the season might be: Surviving winter depression: Decorate w / Color [interior designer could pen this article] Throw your budget to get out of debt (securities of this type are particularly effective because they go against conventional wisdom – that draws readers into pure curiosity). [Financial Advisor could write an article like this.] Top 3 herbs for a more youthful face [Provider of beauty could write] 3. Do not panic if you are marketing on a shoestring budget: As in, NO! When you panic, to stop the flow of ideas. So sit back, assess the situation and write a plan of action. Make sure it's something you can do immediately, for example, develop a contact list to send a message field, write an article e-mail to reporters, make sales calls, etc. When you take actions that are being marketed with a limited budget! When you are marketing on a limited budget, especially, the key is to do something positive to alleviate the problem – although it is not bigger and better, or could be doing. Why? Because immediately put back in control. When you feel in control (no matter how tenuous it is), operating from a position of strength, not weakness. Marketing on a budget takes creative power, not the financial power. For I have never said this – 90% ownership of small business is mental. To quote the very quotable Rev. Jesse Jackson, "we must believe to achieve." My favorite is "fake it until you do." Why? Because there will be times when we believe on blind faith going to get ahead – is in depletion, their coffers are empty, and the friends and family will not be able to relate to their problems of small business. It is at these times that faith in yourself (even a false faith) is all that you have left. Now, what will you do today to get where you want to be tomorrow? Start Tip: When marketing on a shoestring budget, alawys focus on one or two things you can do immediately to get publicity – and get going!
