03/02/2012 09:38
Posted by David Guerrero
So, you're starting your own business, and you're thrilled about being your own boss; finally doing something you're passionate about and just over all excited. Then you hit a wall, and you're faced with a limited budget, if any, for your marketing efforts. Even now, in a period of recession where being able to access credit is harder than ever, you find yourself stuck, and don’t know what to do about how to market your product.
Remember: Some of the world's biggest brands were launched at a time where access to credit was limited.
You’re now taking the huge step of launching your own company; do not let a limited marketing budget put you off. When starting out, promoting your business and its services as cost-effectively as possible should be a top priority in order to help you establish a market presence. There are just a few things you should do before you start marketing your products and after.
First Who, then What
Find who your customers are. As you venture out on opening up your new business, you’re often in a position where you’re straining for cash and often want to sell everything to everyone. Then if you don’t have what the custumer is looking for, you try to make it for them just to sell something to someone. Remember: You can not sell everything to everyone, so figure out who specifically your product is for, and focus on that group.
Features tell. Benefits Sell
Creating a buzz about your product’s features is necessary, but most importantly, about your product’s benefits to the consumer. Ask yourself, “What exactly is my product going to do that others won’t?” Make sure you focus on how your product will benefit your consumers and not on what it promises it will do. If you can’t think of any benefits, and you're stuck with just the features, ask yourself this simple question after reading each feature: "Which means that"
Example:
Feature: The apartment has a large closet, "which means that " Benefit: I will have more storage space, I will have more space for my shoes, I will be able to put a dresser in there"
Now that you’ve got a clear idea of who your customers are and what you’re product will do for them, its time to get the word out.
Idea # 1 Word-of-Mouth
With today’s technology, its easier than ever to promote the benefits of your product in a cost effective manner. Become a member of related blogs and participate in discussion with your possible “customers”. Use social networking as well as creating hype at public events in your home town. Most importantly, you must remember than which ever method you decide to do, it must be done regularly. Do not start promoting your product’s benefits on Facebook, and then forget the page exist if you do not get immediate results.
Idea # 2 Outreach
If your business has an actual store front, it is important, if not mandatory to go out to the community and introduce yourself personally to other business owners, chamber of commerce, social clubs, law enforcement agencies and churches just to mention a few. Provide these places with deals you would not normally offer someone who just walks in the door. What is the benefit in that? These businesses and agencies have access to a much larger consumer base that will benefit your business, so why not give them an incentive for referring people your way…
Idea # 3 Help promote an event
Attach your company name to an event- By offering your services or help with an event, particularly those which are likely to attract your target customer base, your business will gain exposure to a wider group of people. For example, if you own a local shop, offer to sell raffle tickets for the local fun-run.
Idea # 4 Register Your Business with Google Places
Google has been offering local businesses a chance to address and phone number in its local listings for some time
Idea # 5 Partner up with other businesses
If you’re a pizzeria, your boxers go straight into people’s homes, so why not partner up with a local apartment community and post their flyers on your box, and in return that apartment community will include your flyers in their new resident’s welcoming packages.
Idea # 6 Create a website
Creating a website in today's society, is not only necessary but its mandatory to build your business' credibility. Make sure your potential clients can find you is equaly important. Take a few minutes to make sure your site is SEO’ed. Here are a few ideas on how to make sure your customers find you.
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