mall business marketing on a shoestring

As a small business owner, you probably don't have a whole lot of resources left over for marketing. That doesn't mean that you should just forget about it, though: for the small business, effective marketing is absolutely essential. Here's how to do it on a shoestring.

Run a competition

Competitions are great attention-getters, and a great marketing idea for the small business. Everyone loves to win prizes: just think of how many people call into your local radio station or fill in newspaper crosswords. Running a competition doesn't have to mean blowing your small business marketing budget, either. Offer one of your products or services as the prize and be as inventive as you like with the competition rules. Then call your local newspaper or radio station and ask them to cover it for you.

Small business marketing events

If your small business is based in an office, or a store, consider hosting some kind of event, either to launch a new product, or to launch that competition. Offer a few drinks or snacks and invite everyone you know: most people love a party and the more people who turn up to yours, the better.

Internet marketing for the small business

When you don't have a huge budget to play with, the internet can offer great value for money. Use your website to tell your visitors about special offers, send out an email newsletter, or try an email marketing campaign. Drive traffic to your site with pay per click advertising, link and banner exchanges and careful use of keywords - all great shoestring marketing techniques for the small business.

Kick start your small business marketing by giving free gifts

Promotional items like pens or mouse mats with your small business logo and phone number can be relatively cheap to buy. Give them out free as part of a special offer, or as a thank you to your best customers. Customers can't resist the lure of a free gift, and giving one with your business name on it increases the chances of them remembering you and coming back for more.

Write articles for free

Run a quick search online for free reprint articles. You'll find dozens of sites which allow you to write an article and submit it for free. Visitors to the site can then either read your article or even use it in their newsletter or on their website. This is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field, and as long as you remember to add a short biography with your business details or contact address, it can also be a great way to grow your business. Best of all, it doesn't cost you a penny! Need help with internet marketing? Check out our internet marketing packages.

Hot Igloo Productions is a UK website design and marketing business specialising in helping small businesses grow through the use of internet technologies and public relations.

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