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Cost-effective ways You can develop a snazzy marketing approach while not
spending a ton of money to make this happen. What it takes is strategic
thinking and planning around what you want to achieve, what you truly need
and how you can make use of simple techniques and approaches. Lots of new businesses assume they need things like
brochures and web sites
because everyone else has them. Don't start there. Carefully consider the mix
of collaterals and approaches that will help to sell your particular
business, and don't worry about what others have done. Try to find ways to make each thing you do work
for you in more than one way; for example, a business card that is also
a brochure... Also, remember that being cost-effective does not mean
being "cheap". It does mean choosing only the techniques and tools
that will help you to achieve your goals, ensuring that the dollars you do
spend are of real benefit to you and your venture. Here are some ideas for
you to consider as you think about the marketing communications goals and
strategies you will use for the new year... Business
cards
·
Use all of your business card - list your mission or what
you offer clients on the back of your card. For a small extra cost, it can do
more for you than just providing your contact
information. ·
Make your business card a brochure - By
doubling the size of your card and folding it you can develop a mini brochure
on your business. In this way, one item serves two purposes. ·
Distribute business cards like crazy - Never
leave your office without a supply of business cards. Distribute them
everywhere you go, and at the same time collect the cards of others. Email
every person whose card you collect within two days, to let them know you
enjoyed meeting them, and to reestablish yourself in their minds. Email
·
Email signature line - place
your logo, name, and web address as your email signature line. This means
that everyone you contact receives all the key identifiers for your business,
and they are likely to go to your web site if they want to know more. ·
Email newsletter - A
tight, well-conceived newsletter sent out to a mailing list on a regular
basis can provide potential and actual clients, as well as colleagues and
friends, with useful information/ideas as well as a reminder about your
expertise. If you do a
newsletter, be sure to keep current and back issues on your web site as a
resource. ·
Email marketing letters - Why
not consider sending out marketing letters at key holiday times, thanking
former and current clients for working with you, and even offering a tip or
timely piece of information they might find useful in their work. Brochures
·
Brochure template - Brochures
have a way of quickly getting out of date. Why not produce a template in your
special colours and with your logo, etc., and overprint the text in black for a
small number. If it's on the right paper, you can either overprint on
additional template paper when you make changes or you can even run the paper
through your photocopier or printer. You can also use the template for
special one-off brochures and other needs. This avoids the waste of
out-of-date brochures and gives you a truly flexible tool. ·
E-brochures - Have a pdf version of
your brochure that you can send out to potential clients. At in.sight,
we find that we email our brochure far more often than we give it out. Web
sites
·
Exchanging web links - Get
your web site listed on links pages for other sites in return for listing
someone else's site on yours. Great way to market to a whole new set of
potential clients. ·
Small but effective web site - If you
don't yet have a web site, but decide that one is important, start with a
simple, focused site of a few pages that can grow with you. If you already
have a site, take a new look at it to be sure it is truly a helpful tool for
you. If not, decide how you can make it helpful, and change it. Always keep
it simple and clear! ·
Web address on everything - Put
your web address everywhere: on
your other collateral materials, on your email, and in any advertising you
do. inlsight communications can assist you
with developing marketing
communications strategies to fit your business and your budget. Contact
us for more information at insight@insightcomm.ca. Contact us To subscribe to this newsletter, click here. Comments? Questions? Click here. For more information on in.sight, phone us at (403) 238-1397 or visit us online at http://www.insightcomm.ca.
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