Recently the question was asked in a LINKEDIN group of marketing professionals what they have found has been the best way for a starter business to market their business with a limited budget beyond the obvious word-of-mouth, asking for referrals and collecting names for a database list. Today, I reviewed the 40 pages of answers that have been posted by professionals in the industry and it spoke to what I refer to as the need for “true marketing”, there is no one solution that fits ALL businesses so please consider hiring a professional to help analyze your needs!
A cookie cutter approach to one of the most essential parts of your business with the belief that it will bring you instant paying customers is just like buying a lottery ticket today with the belief that you will win and have the money that week for your mortgage. The answers that were given to this question on Linkedin ranged from: email marketing, SMS Text Messaging, YouTube postings, social media marketing with Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter, SEO [Search Engine Optimization]for your website, Cold Calling, Press Releases, Chamber Memberships and Business Groups, Creative Marketing Message that stands out, Cross Media Marketing, Ad Targeting, Get Bank Loan and Invest in Real Advertising, Blogs and Contributing to On-Line Discussion Groups, Ad Swaps, Direct Mail, mail Articles to Prospects, no one tool works/target marketing is key, Analysis and Tracking with a good CRM system, Business Card, and Branding Your Business consistently with a clear message. [Note: some of the suggestions offered were from people who sold that one product so Purple Diamond has posted the list as what were offered and not what we believe you need to do. Purple Diamond believes in a one on one approach in which your business is seen as unique and deserves your own marketing coach/consultant.] There were even more suggestions than all the ones I have posted here, but what was clear from all the responses were that even the experts have their own thoughts about what is the best low cost method to market your business. So, if there are so many different views from marketing professionals, how does a business owner who has never worked as a marketing professional know what is best for his business? My first response is to call in an affordable consultant, like Purple Diamond, to help YOUR business that does not have ties to any one product and has knowledge to what is working in your area and for your industry. But, if you are not comfortable with hiring a marketing coach, then please look to free services in your area like SCORE or ask key people in your circle of business friends to help you brainstorm ideas. In my own area there are CEO groups that many of the local business owners have joined that give them direct insight in to what local business owners have tried and found useful. Please do not leave marketing up to chance. Today’s economy is one that requires skillful analysis and creative ideas that get results!
All my best to your success!
~ Charlene
