Every business experiences a time where they need new customers but just don’t have the advertising budget. For this I recommend four things.
Every business experiences a time where they need new customers but just don’t have the advertising budget. For this I recommend four things.
First, get into today’s Yellow Pages. In the past it was key that you get your business into the Yellow Pages so that people ready to buy now could find you. In most markets today the Yellow Pages just don’t work as well. Today you need show up on the first page of a Google Search or the online Yellow Pages. It is so important that any marketing budget you can afford should first be spent here.
Second, look for ways to increase sales from current customers. This is often the quickest and easiest way to increase sales since your customers know you, like you, and trust you. Check out our article in our blog titled “Fastest Way to Grow Your Business!” (https://bit.ly/2Vz4vVT).
Third, identify your ideal customers who you can reach by mail. Yes mail! (Check out NO B.S. Direct Marketing by Dan Kennedy to learn how.) Not doing what everyone else is doing is a great way to stand out. Then design a three-step mail campaign to get prospects to call you. The advantage is that you can print and mail what you can afford. If you can only afford $50 this week, then only send out 100 letters to prospects. If next week you can afford $75, then mail another 150 letters to prospects. Continue this pattern each week based on your cash availability.
Finally, you may not have money but you usually have time. Get out of your chair and hit the streets. Stop in on prospects and introduce yourself. Pick up the phone and make calls. Email your contacts. Just get out there and make yourself known.
Doing these things usually starts to generate sales and cash that will allow you to expand into paid advertising. But I have found that this is a great way to start when your cash is short.