Marketing on a Budget

Home
>
Marketing
>
Marketing on a Budget

A successful marketing plan doesn't have to include an athletic superstar, prime-time placement, state-of-the-art computer graphics or a massive budget. Being resourceful and smart can be just as effective.

Business promotion doesn't have to cost a fortune. Often, it's the personal touch that seals the deal. Here are ideas gathered from marketing experts to help you make the most of a slim marketing budget:

Use Press Release Power
You might not realize it, but reporters sometimes need you as much as you need them. The key to getting their attention is coming up with a newsworthy item that is concisely written.
* Peg your release to real events, such as fundraising drives or a new service your business offers. Don't be witty to amuse yourself the idea must have a concrete purpose.
* If you can't figure out why your company might be newsworthy, ask your friends what they find interesting about your company.
* You can also utilize your built-in research tool your customers. If you have an offbeat idea, bounce it off them or have them fill out a short questionnaire. Ask them why they use your business.

Think Differently
Concoct an event to draw media coverage. For instance, a Japanese restaurant could create the world's largest sushi roll and advertise its record-breaking "sushi queue."

Put A Face On It
Placing your photograph on your business card creates a personal relationship, even if they don't know you. Not only will people remember your name, they'll remember your face.

Print The Praise
If someone says, "You do a great job," say, "Thanks, very much, that means an awful lot to me. I would appreciate it if you would write a testimonial letter." Then make the testimonial part of your promotional package.

Borrow A Message
When you see an article on a subject that might interest your clients, send them a photocopy with a note that says, "I thought you might be interested in this." You're making a personal connection with a client and associating yourself with the authority quoted in the article in the process.

Think Outside The Box
You don't have to outspend your competition, you just have to outthink them. Some examples: Buy a billboard ad every other month for a year. Chances are, the billboard won't be replaced on the off months, so you'll get more exposure at no extra cost.
This concept also relates to how you run your business: Always try to figure out how to give your customers something they can't find elsewhere, such as a children's play area at a restaurant.

Try The Old Faithfuls
Don't dismiss time-honored solutions that increase your company's community profile, such as sponsoring a charity event or outfitting a local little league team. You'll get your name out there, and that's what counts.

Ann Marie Rubertone is a marketing consultant & freelance writer. Her two newest booklets, "The One Page Marketing Plan" and "13 Household Items You Can Use To Market Your Business" tips for marketing on a shoestring budget that can make the difference between success and failure. Check It Out is a customer-driven marketing firm providing design, writing, editing, desktop publishing services, and hands-on marketing workshops for independent professionals and small businesses. For more information, contact Ann Marie Rubertone, Check It Out (772) 335-0073, Port St. Lucie, FL www.checkitoutinc.com cio@adelphia.net

In The News:

Schawk Announces Supermarket Guru(R) Phil Lempert Joins Brandsquare Online ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Phil Lempert, an expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends, new products and the changing retail landscape as well as a distinguished author and ...

and more »

Rosetta Stone's Management and Marketing Woes
BusinessWeek
Although the company has so far opened direct-marketing offices in Japan, the UK, South Korea and Germany, Adams sees potential for growth into more ...

and more »

USA Today
Marketing, PR Push Drives Cruze Rollout
Youngstown Business Journal
LORDSTOWN, Ohio -- The marketing and public relations rollout of the new Chevrolet Cruze begins today nationwide with a television advertising campaign and ...
The new voice of Chevrolet: Tim AllenToronto Star
Ads With Tim Allen As The Voice Of Chevy Begin TodayWall Street Journal (blog)

all 44 news articles »

Marketing Fanciful Items in the Lands of Make Believe
New York Times
... a compelling experience, an online network and a fun and engaging experience,â€ said Beth Harrison Meyer, Powermat's vice president for global marketing. ...

and more »

Los Angeles Times
IPhone-clone maker Meizu also uses Apple-style marketing
Los Angeles Times
... legions of fans both at home and abroad, Meizu has taken the unusual step for a Chinese manufacturer of imitating a foreign brand's marketing strategy. ...

and more »

Drug Marketing - A Form of Malpractice
GoozNew (blog)
Marketing usually accounts for somewhere between 20 and 30 percent of the total costs of drugs and devices, which combined cost health care consumers and ...

and more »

CNET
Big brand search engine marketing spend revealed
Vertical Leap News (press release)
The level of search engine marketing spend by some of the world's biggest brands on Google's AdWords platform has been revealed in an internal document seen ...
Amazon and eBay 'Among Biggest AdWords Spenders'Impact Media (blog)

all 45 news articles »

Washington Post
Burger King adds pancakes in breakfast push
msnbc.com
Chief Marketing Officer Mike Kappitt said the company has dabbled in breakfast for years since Burger King introduced breakfast in 1979 but is now making it ...
Burger King adds pancakes, biscuits at breakfastThe Associated Press
Burger King Looks To Steal Early Risers From McDonald's With Pancakes (BKC,MCD)Comtex Smartrend
Shake Up Your Wake Up(SM)with the All-New Breakfast Revolution(TM) at BK(R)MarketWatch (press release)

all 156 news articles »

Augme Technologies, Inc. Expects Second Quarter Revenues to Exceed $600000
MarketWatch (press release)
"Our second quarter was particularly notable due to strong and expanding customer demand for our AD LIFE(TM) (Augme Mobile) interactive mobile marketing ...

and more »

Trophy Bleecker Street Luxury Retail Portfolio Marketing Launch
PR Newswire (press release)
NEW YORK, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Beck Street Capital, a private real estate investment firm, today announced that it is offering for sale its Bleecker ...

and more »

Google News

Marketing on a Budget

Marketing Marketing