Let’s face it, advertising can be very expensive. Furthermore, the cost of advertisement can be even more expensive if your investment does not increase your sales. For this reason, finding simple and low-cost methods to help market your business are important.
While social media sites (like Facebook and Twitter) can be cheap ways to advertise your business, they are often overlooked. Some of these methods may seem ineffective as a marketing technique; however, sometimes the abnormal or unique easily stick in the mind.
Here are four ways you can spread the word about your business without breaking the bank.
1. Develop a quick pitch
Any time is a good time to market! Furthermore, wherever you are, you should be marketing. For this reason, you need to develop a pitch that you can comfortable and effectively deliver in a short amount of time—like while riding on an elevator. The average attention span of an adult is now between 6 and 8 seconds; therefore, this is the amount of time you have to grab someone’s attention. If you are able to engage them in some way, you can only count on about a minute’s worth of time to sell them on your product/service.
Hey, it’s a free method that should not only be easy for you effort but also can pay off with huge dividend.
2. Become Involved in your Community
Marketing for your business does not have to directly involve your business—if you’re creative. There are things you can do in your community that can inform people that your business exists. I know, this sounds confusing, but your business could sponsor a Little League team or a charity walk/run. Your business’ name gets used, people can remember your charity, but it doesn’t technically have to be about marketing. In addition, you could print low-cost items like bookmarks and leave them in local shops and/or the library (with permission, of course).
3. Get Out and Talk to People!
While you’re out getting to know those in your community, network with people. Networking can be a great way to let others know about your business and what you can provide the community. This method does involve a time commitment on your part and there is no way that you will get instant gratification, but building a strong network can greatly improve your business.
There are typically meet-up groups in most cities that can provide places and groups of people to network with—and many are free to join.
4. Give a speech
This idea may not work for many people as a fear of public speaking can be common; however, giving a speech can provide you a great outlet to tell people about what you do. There are organizations that often look for qualified individuals who can volunteer their time to present to their groups. As long as you’re able to present the information in such a way that the information is helpful to the audience, don’t sweat not being a professional speaker. Not only do you get to spread the word about your business, but you get to become a better speaker in the process.
