Low Cost Marketing Ideas
Here are five low cost but effective marketing methods for your home-based business.
Owning and running and home-based business doesn't necessarily mean that you can't compete with larger companies when it comes to marketing. But because your budget may never be close to those of the 'big guns' you have to think of other, unique ways to market your business. You can initiate creative and effective marketing campaigns with a little imagination and 'pushing the envelope' of marketing methods. Listed here are five different ways to enhance your chances of exposure and gain additional sales without going broke.
Idea #1 - Offer Freebies
Everyone likes free stuff. And for both online and offline business owners, a big draw is always an offer of something free, especially if that free item is focused on your target audience or age group. Whether that 'something free' is a newsletter, a guide or a service or product, it will interest visitors. While many of those visitors will gladly take that free item, others will inevitably linger and possibly even purchase something else. Pick an item that, while costs little for you to produce, offers the allure of being something more valuable.
Idea # 2 - Spread the Word
By joining internet Chat and Discussions groups, you can immediately connect with people are in interested in what you have to offer, whether it's a service or a product. If you sell travel gear, for example, join discussion groups about Travel. Make a habit of visiting like-minded forum and message boards and initiate questions or reply to questions asked by others in your area of experience. Remember to include a signature that includes your website, if you have one. Discussion groups are a primary way of getting people to your website.
Ideas #3 - Share Your Knowledge
No matter what you're selling, promote yourself as knowledgeable and experienced in that area. Of course, you don't want to make outrageous or claims that you won't be able to back up, but share your knowledge and expertise in the subject that will encourage others to take a look at your product. It is important for you to encourage a sense of trust in your customers and in your product or service, so you need to be able to show or tell them that your product will deliver what it promises.
One way you can share your knowledge or expertise is to speak at local engagements, especially those focused on Home-Based Businesses. Offer to be a speaker at local High Schools or colleges and at job fairs. You may also want to consider becoming a part-time instructor or offer your services to your local City chapters or for summer evening courses with your Community Development Department. Write articles sharing your expertise in relation to your service or product. Create e-books, and even consider writing a book for publication.
Idea # 4 - Donations to Charity
People like to see business owners helping in their community. Small businesses especially profit from the positive feedback generated when these businesses support local charities and groups. Stating that your business donates a certain percentage of sales every month to various or specific charities will appeal to potential customers. You can even send out press releases stating your intentions of donating to specific charities at different times of the year.
Idea # 5 - Offer New Packaging
After time, sales of particular products naturally decrease. Offering a discount on older items or even discontinuing those items may help you unload your product, but an even better way to pick up slow sales is to repack those items and sell them in a new way. You can group several items together and offer it as a great gift idea. Or you may want to find a new target group for a slow-moving product. By adding something or enhancing the present product with something else, you can sell the item as new or improved. Offering a small, free item as a compliment to your package will also encourage people to purchase it, if for no other reason than to get the free item!
The bottom line is to attract attention to your product or service and to convince your audience that you are knowledgeable in your field. Be able to back up your claims and stand by your product or service. You can set your product apart from others by using creative methods of advertising and packaging. Imagination and a little daring will go a long way to selling your product and setting you apart from the competition.