Marketing is expensive. And when you’re a new in the business adding another expense line item can feel like a ton of bricks weighing you down. From digital promotion to advertisements, getting the word out that you are in business takes time, practice and patience…especially when money is low.
Nowadays, many bootstrap minded reps have found ways to navigate tackling their marketing details to bring in sales with little to no money upfront. Here are four tips you can use to do the same.
Ask for referrals from your customers and clients
The best form of publicity and marketing is word of mouth. People love hearing first-hand accounts of other people’s experiences. Consider Google and Yelp reviews. If you leave a review, they’ll email you to tell you how much your review is being seen by others. You want your customers to love being a client of yours so much that they leave honest reviews that help attract you more business.
When you are strapped for cash, the people who do love your services can be your walking billboards. Leverage the people you already have connections with to bring in more potential clients. Offer incentives that entice people to be an advocate for you.
Use your social media platforms to plug your business
For so long, social media platforms were the perfect avenue for marketing small businesses. Due to “friends” and “followers,” many new reps had ready-made pools of potential customers at their fingertips. Now that these social media platforms have found ways to monetize the efforts of businesses who want to advertise, reps have had to start investing to get seen.
There is a workaround, however. It centers around you being intentional about every interaction you have on social media. From status updates to commenting or engaging in groups, use every opportunity you can find to let people know what you have to offer. If you run across someone asking a question that your expertise can offer a solution to, answer it.
Also, connect with others in our industry. Leverage the strength of using other people’s platforms to help build your own. But be tactful. You don’t want to be known as “that” person who is always selling something.
Use your own platform to provide insightful information
In the seize for mass attention, many reps often forsake the power of their own platforms. Your website, social media sites, or business cards can serve as a platform for persuasive conversation.
When potential clients go to your site, they need to see a balanced mixture of visual and written content. The content can be photos of your products, video testimonials, or informational blog posts. If you have a winning personality and are the face of your agenccy, your platform should show you off in a way that creates the know, like and trust factor immediately.
Your social platforms should be on brand and also convey the message you want to spread about your product or service. Your focus should be to teach your audience something new and to ask for the sale. Period.
Don’t forget about the offline world
Although we live in a highly digital society, there is still a whole world of business that occurs offline. As a rep you can’t just wait for business to find you. You have to take the initiative and go find the business you need. And if you open your eyes and your mind, you’ll see your target market all around you.
A great starting point is local networking events. You’ll meet new faces and make connections who may be potential buyers. In addition, attend industry and vendor events, and any event that puts you in a space where you can connect with people and do market research.
When there is a lack of funds, creativity can soar. You have to learn how to take your future in your hands and master being in the trenches of doing business. The more you stay consistent and stick with a strategy, the better your chances will be in generating business for yourself.
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