Firstly, adjusting your mindset is a good way to start. ‘Marketing’, yes, the first thing that comes to mind is usually billboards or divisions of entire companies dedicated to billboards. This way of looking at things will only hold you back.
When your company is tanking and there need to be some cutbacks, the marketing department are usually eyed-up as prime candidates for the chop. They are not the frivolous add-ons though. Every business needs it.
Stop looking at traditional marketing methods and despairing, marketing can be anything at all. Every positive conversation you have about your business is marketing; the body language your employees adopt is marketing. Looking noticeably well-dressed in life is even a form of marketing.
Don’t be afraid to give it way. Not forever, but whatever it is you’re selling make certain that it is accessible. You want people to experience it, enjoy it and note its utility and then return and tell others about it. The best way to go about that is let a controlled number of people have it for free. It’s a risk but it gets you in contact with a potential clientele, ones that will be less critical of you because they realise their positions of privilege.
Hitting the street can be another good way of getting the word out. Handing out flyers or instead putting on a show. With marketing there is publicity and that doesn’t come through the ordinary channels of convention. If you have a product, give a live demonstration a go. You’ll need a touch of charisma and some courage if you are to pull this off effectively but people like to see other people having fun.
Business cards are like flyers but target other professionals. Depending on what service you provide business cards may or may not be handy. They are excellent and pocket-sized so attend as many networking events as you can and spread the love as it were.
Social Media is still number one though. There are very few market experts who believe social media marketing as a waste of time. It’s supremely cheap and easy to use and will connect with the majority of people. It also demonstrates a willingness to adapt and connect with younger clientele, even though these days mostly everyone is on social media at least on one platform.
There is no right or wrong way to go about marketing your business but the traditional and frankly expensive methods are slowly becoming history. Everyone likes to be surprised, so surprise yourself and try some alternative marketing.
