If you operate a growing business, you likely don’t have a large marketing budget.
Don’t fret, though. There are plenty of tools and tips to help you promote your company without blowing through your budget. You can still execute successful marketing while spending little.
Here are five easy ways to conserve your marketing budget while building a successful brand.
Content Marketing
Whether you’re an established business or just getting started, SEO is integral to your success. SEO increases your ranking in search results on Google, Yahoo, and other search engines. Appearing at the top of searches based on keywords will drive more traffic to your website.
One of the easiest ways to improve your SEO is by writing and publishing engaging, relevant content.
For your content to make an impact, you need to know and write to your audience. Find issues that are relevant to them and provide interesting and useful information that they’ll want to read. Structure your posts so they can be easily read and create keyword-rich copy that draws in readers.
And remember, the backlinks you choose for your content need to be just as strong as what you’re writing.
Email Marketing
If your budget is limited, email marketing should fly to the top of your marketing plan. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to reach clients.
The cost of sending an email is low, resulting in an impressive ROI for this marketing method. For every dollar spent, businesses, on average, see $42 in return.
It’s easy to personalize email marketing to target specific groups and individuals with messages geared towards their interests and spending habits. The key is in developing a solid email list and creating strong emails that entice viewers to click through.
Reconnect with Previous Clients
A low-cost but effective way to drum up business is through customer retention. Sometimes, it’s easier – and less expensive – to reconnect with previous clients than it is to engage new ones.
A simple way to rekindle your relationship with past clients is by offering them a free item or discount.
Outsourcing Projects
Outsourcing work is a great way to reduce the costs of the marketing budget for small businesses.
You can save time and money by bringing on experienced and talented contractors for piecemeal projects. There’s less overhead that way.
It can be expensive to hire full-time employees. Among the costs to consider for permanent staff are payroll, medical benefits, and retirement plans. There’s also the money spent to recruit and train employees, as well.
And if you choose to outsource your marketing, you’re not alone. More than 37% of small businesses outsource some aspect of their business. So, it’s a common practice.
Word of Mouth
Word-of-mouth is one of the more valuable forms of marketing. An astounding 88% of consumers find personal recommendations the most trustworthy source of information about a business or brand.
The best thing is that word-of-mouth praise is free. It’s important that you maintain a good reputation, though, treating all customers fairly and offering them services and products they value.
Set up a referral program to elicit glowing reviews from prior customers. You can offer them discounts, free items, and other benefits to entice them to share your business with their friends and family.
Make the Most of Your Marketing Budget
With these useful tips, you’ll be able to stretch your marketing budget as you grow your business. Check out other articles on our site for additional marketing resources for small and growing businesses.