Low-cost Marketing Ideas for a New Business

If you have little or no money for marketing, consider using a mixture of old-fashioned, low-cost resources.  Comprehensive marketing strategy means a marketing strategy that employs more than one means to reach a prospective customer base.  The application of a variety of low-cost strategies can spell success for any business – especially if you are just starting out. 

When beginning a new business from scratch, one thing you have plenty of is time.  After all, you are not busy taking care of client business.  So, finding clients IS your business.  The following low-tech, low cost methods have proven successful for others, and can work for you.  Here they are: 

1.    Telephone

Get lists or directories of clubs or organizations whose members are your best prospects and start dialing!  What do you want?  A few minutes to meet with them, learn about their needs in your area of expertise, and perhaps tell them about you and your business.  And don’t stop until you have reached a pre-determined quota of calls.  This is hard, I know.  But it’s the most effective way to get in those doors.

2.    Mail

Print up a bunch of announcement postcards and send them to all the prospects on your list.  Postcards are cheap and easy to read.  If you do have a few bucks, have them professionally designed.  If not, work with your printer to create a simple message and a clean design.  Be sure to include your address, phone number, e-mail and, if you have one, web site addresses.  Don’t forget to mention what you do.

3.    Drop-in visits

Take your extra postcards, pick a neighborhood, office building, etc., where prospective clients do business, and just drop in.  If no one has time to talk with you, leave the postcard.  Pick a time of day when your prospects are less likely to be swamped, and don’t stay long if he/she seems disinclined to have a conversation. 

4.    Volunteer to give talks on your areas of expertise

“No audience too small” should be your motto, as long as it is within your target market. 

Even with little or no resources, it’s still possible to market effectively and build a successful business.  Good marketing takes time and persistence – as well as a variety of techniques.