Frugal Marketing Ideas

The uncertain economy of the last six months has even the most successful business looking at ways to cut money from its budget. Yet, slashing sales and marketing dollars can often have a disastrous effect on the bottom line. Here are five ideas to keep your product or service in customers’ minds without spending a fortune.

1. Start a blog. Seemingly everyone is blogging today…and you should too. You can start a blog on your Web site for very little (or no) money. Adding a daily–or weekly–post about non-sales news in your industry will keep your company on customer’s minds and keep them returning to your Web site, where of course they can order your product.

2. Join the local Chamber of Commerce. Most communities have a Chamber of Commerce that small businesses can join for very little money. Advantages include exposure throughout the area in Chamber publications, networking within the organization, and discounts on business-related services and products.

3. Make (and distribute) your own flyers. Face-to-face contact sells. It worked in the 19th century and it still works today. Print up some simple flyers outlining your product or service and hand them out at key locations or tack them to community bulletin boards around town.

4. Engage the media. Cultivate relationships with your local newspaper, radio station, and television channel. When something interesting happens in your industry, you’ll be the first person they contact for a quote (and a little free publicity). Also send your contacts a note when something noteworthy happens in your business, such as a new product, new hours, new key personnel.

5. Volunteer to give speeches. Community groups, libraries, and other associations that meet monthly are often at a loss to find features speakers for their events. Volunteer to talk about an interesting aspect of your business or product. For example, a travel agent could talk about Alaska cruises. Some groups will even pay you.

(photo credit: Newscom)