Whether you're just starting out or have been in business for years, these proven marketing strategies will help your business find new customers without spending a lot
1.
If
you don't have a website, get one set up. If you can't afford to have someone custom-design your website,
put your site up using one of the companies like SiteSell.com or HomeStead.com
that provide templates and tools that make it easy to create a basic website.
2.
Set
up a listing for your business in search engine local directories.
With google and few other popular ad serving Companies in Tanzania like Horizon you can take your business to the next level with just a minimal budget .Its important to note that if you advertise on ad networks they will get your message to as many people as possible than using a single website where you will only get similar people every day.
With google and few other popular ad serving Companies in Tanzania like Horizon you can take your business to the next level with just a minimal budget .Its important to note that if you advertise on ad networks they will get your message to as many people as possible than using a single website where you will only get similar people every day.
3. Create social media profiles on LinkedIn,
Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter. Be sure your business profile includes a good description,
keywords and a link to your website. Look for groups or conversations that talk
about your type of products or services and participate in the conversations,
but don't spam them with constant promos for what you sell.
4.
If
you're just starting out and
don't have a business card and business stationery, have them made up --
immediately. Your business card,
letterhead and envelope tell prospective customers you are a professional who
takes your business seriously. Be sure to list your website address on your
business card and, letterhead and any handouts you create.
5.
Sign
up for an email service,
and send an email newsletter and/or promotional offers to customers and
prospects for your business. Be sure you ask for permission to send email
before putting any person's email name on your list. One good way to build a
permission-based email list of people who want your mailings is to give
something away. It could be a free ebook, or even a free tip-sheet on how to do
something related to your business. If you're a health coach, for
instance, you might offer people who sign up for your free newsletter a tip
sheet with "10 Easy Ways To Lose Weight Without Going on a Diet."
An email service like Constant Contact*
makes it easy to manage your list and send professional-looking mailings.
6.
Get
your business cards into the hand of anyone who can help you in your search for new clients. Call your
friends and relatives and tell them you have started a business. Visit them and
leave a small stack of business cards to hand out to their friends.
7.
Talk
to all the vendors from whom you buy products or services. Give them your business card, and ask if they
can use your products or service, or if they know anyone who can. If they have
bulletin boards where business cards are displayed (printers often do, and so
do some supermarkets, hairdressers, etc.), ask if yours can be added to the
board.
8.
Attend
meetings of professional groups, and groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, or civic
associations. Have business cards in a pocket where they are easily reachable.
Don't forget to ask what the people you speak with do, and to really listen to
them. They'll be flattered by your interest, and better remember you because of
it.
9.
Look
for something unusual about what you do, and publicize it. Send out press releases to local newspapers,
radio stations, cable TV stations, magazines whose audiences are likely to be
interested in buying what you sell. Be sure to post the press releases on one
or more online press release services, too, being sure to include links to your
website. To increase your chance of having the material published, send along a
photo (but not to radio stations) with your press release. Editors of printed
publications are often in need of "art" (drawings or photos) to fill
space and break up the gray look of a page of text.
10. Write an article that demonstrates your
expertise in your field. Send it to noncompeting newspapers, magazines, and websites in
your field that accept submissions from experts. Be sure your name, business
name, phone number, and a reference to your product or service is included at
the end of the article. If the editor can use the article you get your name in
print, and possibly get your contact information printed for free, too.
11. Publicize your publicity. Whenever you do get publicity, get permission
from the publisher to reprint the article containing the publicity. Make
photocopies and mail the copies out with sales letters or any other literature
you use to market your product or service. The publicity clips lend credibility
to the claims you make for your products or services.
12. Ask for work or leads. Contact nonprofit organizations, schools and
colleges, and even other businesses that have customers who may need your
services.
13. Network with others who are doing the same type
of work you are. Let
them know you are available to handle their work overloads. (But don't try to
steal their customers. Word will get out, and will ruin your business
reputation.)
14. If your product or service is appropriate, give
demonstrations of it to whatever groups
or individuals might be interested. Or, teach others how to use some tool you
use in your work.
15. Put videos of your product or service on YouTube and other video-sharing and slide-sharing sites.
16. Find out what local government programs are in
existence to help you get started in business. Most offer free counseling, and some can put you
in touch with government agencies and large corporations that buy from small
and woman-owned businesses
17. If you use a car or truck in your business have
your business name and contact information professionally painted on the side
of the vehicle. That way your means of
transportation becomes a vehicle for advertising your business. If you don't
want the business name painted on the vehicle, consider using magnetic signs.
18. Get on the telephone and make "cold
calls." These are calls to
people who you would like to do business with. Briefly describe what you do and
ask for an appointment to talk to them about ways you can help them meet a need
or solve a problem.
19. Get samples of your product or your work into as many hands as possible.
20. Offer a free, no obligation consultation to people you think could use your services.
During such consultations offer some practical suggestions or ideas--and before
you leave ask for an "order" to implement the ideas.
21. Learn to ask for referrals. Ask existing customers, prospects and casual
acquaintances. When you get them, follow up on the leads.
22. Use other people to sell your product or
service. Instead of (or in
addition to) selling your products yourself, look for affiliates, resellers or
people who will generate leads for you in return for a commission on sales. Be
sure your pricing structure allows for the fees or commissions you will have to
pay on any sales that are made.
