Do you have a small business marketing budget but want to create a big impact campaign? This checklist for business marketing ideas will help you minimize your advertising spend for maximum impact.
Not sure where to place your ad-spend? You’re not alone. Many new business start ups spend a colossal amount of their budget on marketing and advertising, and sit back after the spend with very few new leads or clients after a low performing campaign.
Years ago, I could put a small ad in the local freebie newspaper or sign up for a local directory listing (printed) and the customers would flood through the door. Businesses back then that were making an effort and budgeting for advertising spend reaped the rewards.
Fast forward to today’s economy structure and our digital age of information and content marketing, and we’re in a completely different race.
This #1 Tip Will Save You And Your Business Thousands!
Tip #1 DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!
If you’re looking to start an adverting campaign for your small business, then use the following marketing research checklist to find out exactly where your target marketing is looking. Then decide where your budget is best placed.
1. Research Demographics
– use Quantcast and Alexa to build a profile of your website visitor or check competitors visitors to get an idea of your target market.
2. Research Your Established Competitors Efforts.
Look at a similar business to your own, and work out what media platforms they are using and how. Tried and tested is always a great way to start when testing campaigns. Make sure you check it’s their regular spend. Don’t invest in their tests!
3. Find out what your buyers are searching for
Use Google Keyword Tool and research ‘buyer’ keywords. Put yourself in your customers shoes and try to think of what they would be looking for. Use the keyword tools suggestions for more ideas.
4. Get A Quote, never sign up straight away.
Often advertising companies will come back to you with a counter offer. This is particularly efficient for printed media – newspapers and magazines often have last minute space available just before the print deadline, so hold out until then to receive rock bottom prices.
5. Use Social Media!
If you’re like many small business owners and are reluctantly being dragged kicking and screaming into social media, then do it for your customers. They’re all there waiting for you. Guaranteed 🙂 The infographic below proves it.
6. Email Marketing
Promise yourself you will make an effort to build your targeted list of subscribers for your business. Collect your existing customers details. Start a regular newsletter, or just keep email addresses on file to help you promote special offers or new products or services. Want to try it for free? Mailchimp have their ‘Forever Free’ plan where you can send 12,000 emails per month to 2,000 subscribers.
Done your homework? Great! Now check out this ideas for small business marketing infographic to plan your moves!
Ideas For Small Business Infographic
Via: Bolt Insurance
