During some recent discussions with entrepreneurs (sole proprietor – 5 employees), the question arose of how to market their business without incurring additional costs.
Keep in mind the type of companies we are speaking of may be: a cleaning service, window tinting, computer tech repair, lawn service, animal care, daycare, personal trainers, craft makers etc….
The reality is it can be very difficult to market this size company. If cash flows are only enough to survive – what are the options? Word of mouth is by far the best source of new business but what are some others?
Some of the options organic marketing (not paying others for marketing) I am aware of are:
- Asking for referrals
- Partnering with ancillary services
- Reusable lawn signs (ordinance allowing)
- Blogging
- Placing flyers, signs, business cards etc. at current jobs
- Community volunteer work
- Writing tips for community via local flyers
- Networking
Please share your knowledge of success stories in marketing a company/services on a tight or non-existent budget. The person you help may be your next customer.
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This is a great list! I have worked onmany of the above listed even before list made and it works! Attending small local networking groups started gettingthe word out. I did a small mailing to a very specific market segment – low cost.I attended a very targeted, very small trade-show that brought in about 100 persons – of which I got 25 qualified leads! Volunteering with local charities and offering small items for their fundraisers bought in more community awareness. Partnering with other like minded businesses like kayaking guides and fishing guides has really opend the door for me and Facebook/LiveSpace/LinkedIn social networking sites have really gotten NOt a Clue Adventures out into the world. Being a 1 woman business in Tampa, Fl and very limited financial resources you would think I wuold not have the ability to advertise and promote my company. Well, It can be done, I am proof! Thanks for taking the time to get this info out there!