Whether it is an online business or offline business, any kind of business does not succeed without marketing and promotion. Whether you are selling products or services, whether you are a manufacturer or seller, whether you are wholesaler or retailer, you need to market your business irrespective of the type of business. You can generate sales only when you have marketed your products or services well. However, you cannot start marketing out of thin air. Your marketing requires budgeting and planning.
You can penetrate the market through outreach events like trade shows or seminars. You can also reach the market through ads on newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. Billboards and flyers are also a good way to market your products and services. Social Media platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc. or even search engines like Google and Bing are good platforms to market your products and services and reach your target audience. When you are using these marketing tools, you need money, however, if you are just starting out or are on a low budget, marketing becomes difficult.
Even if you don’t have a big budget, you can still use events as a marketing tool if you roll up your sleeves and step into “guerilla marketing” technique. Giving freebies are no longer working, you need to offer real value. You need to be very creative with your marketing endeavors. Potential customers do not attend events for personal networking, they are there for valuable content. You need to have something of value to attract your potential customers. Here are some guerilla marketing tips.
Most of the attendants are working in a company or are businessmen/women themselves. They have contacts and friends in their pockets. Through events like trade shows and seminars, you can have direct access to them. Invite them, cajole, them, lure them. Offer incentives to the people who refer customers.
There are clubs, associations, organizations, and local groups. The members of these clubs, associations, organizations, and local groups are regularly informed about opportunities. Promote your services and products through these groups. Hand them your promotional literature. Provide them the samples, trial offers, or heavy discounts.
If your business targets local people, arrange a gathering of locals, invite the potential customers. Inform them, attract them. If you have budget, advertise your business on local newspapers. Have a flyers, billboards and posters in the places where potential customers gather in large numbers, for instance, movie theaters, bus stands, local clubs, libraries, supermarkets, groceries, restaurants, coffee shops, newsstands, bookshops etc.
Partner up with the locals and the local organizations, clubs, and groups. Make them your sponsors. Ask well-known clubs and organizations to sponsor your events. Your sponsors are your best allies, they will help you to reach their own clients and customers. Use their contacts and database. If you work in tandem, your sponsors will also allow you to have your promotional materials like posters to be used in their offices or during their events.
Word of mouth is a good marketing tactic. Get in touch with local leaders. Inform them about your business, offer them some incentives, and make them your mouthpiece. Organize a local gathering. Offer people something that they will consider having some value. If they like your products and services, they will advertise for free through word of mouth.
When you are on a low budget, only guerrilla marketing can rescue you. However, you need to be very creative.
This is fascinating article for those who are into marketing and promotion. I do not have any business and I have never done any sort of marketing.
Never heard of this kind of marketing strategy. This sounds interesting.