Cents Marketing

Many businesses assume that marketing will require an enormous budget. While it’s true that larger businesses may spend millions or even billions of dollars on their marketing and advertising ventures, it does not mean that you need to spend a great deal of money in order to effectively market your business. In fact, if you have a smaller business, a smaller marketing budget can take you very far with a minimal amount of effort. Here’s how:

1) Social networking offers a low-cost or free way to market your business. Let’s say that you have a business which helps newcomers fill out their INS forms. You need to target your business towards those immigrants who need help with their forums. Social networking is a great way to do this. Simply set up a blog, Twitter site, and social networking sites that use keywords such as “USCIS” or “immigration” to draw customers to your web site. You can also link your social networking sites to the sites of all local newcomers or immigrant associations websites (be sure to ask for permission first). This way, immigrants using the newcomer’s web site will be drawn to your web site as well.

2) Local marketing companies can often offer you an amazing deal on marketing. Do need a number of brochures printed? Do you need a short ad which can run on local radio? The marketing costs of these ventures are actually quite affordable. Local media are often willing to offer marketing options for a nominal fee, and this type of local advertising is actually more effective if you are small business, since you are generally trying to target local potential customers.

3) Don’t overlook charity events, fundraisers, marathons, and other public events. Check your local Chamber of Commerce for information about upcoming events. In many cases, local businesses can sponsor these events or can set up booths at these events. It is a great way to interact face-to-face with your potential customers and even make a sale. For example, let’s consider our earlier example of the business which helps newcomers fill out their INS forms. You can establish a booth at your local fair, trade show, conference, or charitable event and tell people about your business, which helps them with their green card renewal applications and other applications. At the same time, you could be contributing to a worthy cause.

4) Don’t overlook students. If you are based in a college town, you can often hire students for a small sum to hand out fliers or wear your company t-shirt to draw attention to your business. It is a great way to support a student while also boosting your business.