Your small business offers a hot new product or service, and you know you provide amazing customer service.
But for some reason, your sales numbers just aren’t there.
In all likelihood, you just need a jolt of energy from a creative marketing campaign.
Many small businesses utilize a rule of thumb that allocates 5 to 7 percent of sales towards advertising. However, if sales on a primary product line are slow, this could be problematic.
Marketing can be expensive. There is a real risk that increased revenue could be offset by additional cost.
Don’t panic.
There are many creative marketing campaigns that can be accomplished on a tight budget. Read on to explore 5 great marketing strategies for small businesses.
1. Creative Marketing on a Budget Always Involves Social Media
What better way to reach an infinite number of people on a budget than through social media? Any business in today’s world should use Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media for free marketing.
One great way to draw attention to your social media platform? Offer coupons that are exclusively available on social media.
Social media allows your business to build and develop a rapport with an emerging customer base. You can also announce the launch of new products and services, and obtain priceless feedback from those customers.
Most importantly, you can get very creative with social media. Do this by developing company-specific memes and promoting web content with attention-getting headlines.
2. Videos are Key to Marketing Campaigns
Sometimes, what works for massive corporations can also work for a small business.
Check the websites and social media accounts of major corporations, and you will certainly find the use of videos.
For a small business with a limited budget, consider uploading instructional videos on YouTube. The best part is that you can record and upload a video using a smart phone.
Videos are a great tool for marketing towards millennials, who utilize Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube often.
3. Hold Contests and Hand Out Prizes
Organizing a contest is an old-school method to build up excitement among the customer base. Contests also create intrigue among prospective clients.
While contests have certainly been around for a long time, hosting them on social media can pay additional dividends.
Major companies, like Disney, raffle off park tickets to contestants who like and share their Facebook page. This is a great way to increase your social media following.
4. E-mail Newsletter
Group e-mail is another great method to communicate with the customer base. Collecting e-mail addresses is important because it allows for this mass communication.
Try drawing readers in with a witty subject line or a digital coupon.
5. Reward Existing Customers for Referrals
One theme from this article? What works for major corporations can also work for small business. Companies of any size can benefit from offering rewards to customers who give your business a certain number of referrals.
While it may seem like a risk at first, trust us when we tell you it will pay off ten-fold.
Thank existing customers with discounts or rewards dollars for helping spread the word about your product or service.
Wrapping Up
When budgets are tight, it’s time to embrace the powerful role that social media can play in launching an affordable marketing campaign.
Other ideas, like referral rewards and contests, have also been proven to be successful.
For any questions about creative marketing strategies, please do not hesitate to contact us.
