7 Ways To Go Lean with Marketing

Everyone knows that marketing is a must if you want to make a profit, but marketing without spending all your profit is the trick. With a little creative thinking and some know-how, you can actually market your business fairly inexpensively. Here are 7 ideas for lean marketing to get you started.

This is where networking can really pay off. Ask other business owners to exchange links on your websites. Their sites will have a link to yours and vice versa. You'll probably only want to ask those whose business doesn't compete with yours. Not only will this mean that their customers will see your business link, but having lots of links will help your website come up higher in search results.

You've probably heard that it's a lot less expensive to keep your current customers than it is to get new ones, so treat your regulars well to make sure they keep coming back. You could hand them coupons when they come in to your store. Or you could send them notices of special offers via email or even brochure printing can be a very way to update regulars.

Let customers know they will get a discount on future purchases if they bring a new customer your way. You can send a discount card via postcard printing pieces, an email containing a printable discount, or even flyers.

Every so often send customers helpful information having to do with your specialty. For instance, if you own a clothing store, you could send fashion tips listed on a postcard printing design. Such information could be from your own knowledge, or you could look up tips online. Also, some products include ideas in their packaging. Customers will probably appreciate the info, and this will keep your business in their minds.

Look at your suppliers' websites to see what information they have that might interest your customers. Then put links on your website to pages that you think they might like. Your customers will appreciate knowing more about the products you sell.

Use social networking sites to personalize your business. Post pictures of your place of business and your employees. Customers appreciate a personal connection with those they do business with; it tends to make them more loyal.

In addition to the efforts above, you can make sure that your marketing remains lean by using cheap advertising avenues. Postcard printing, flyer printing, door hangers - these are probably the cheapest print materials you can use to get the word out fast to both new and existing customers. Email newsletters are free to send and help build loyalty with your current customers. Business cards can be placed in the path of your customers in unusual places, such as books in your local library or book store or magazines in doctors' offices. You could even do a "business card exchange" with a company that has a similar target market, each placing the other company's cards on the counter.

This list is only a start for your lean marketing efforts, but too much at once can freeze you from taking any action at all. Once you've mastered these tips, you can move on to more if necessary.