Marketing your startup doesn’t need to be expensive.
Startups and fledgling businesses need to come up with a winning marketing strategy to increase their chances of making it past the critical years. They need to have a thorough understanding of their product and target market, and know how they can most effectively reach those markets.
With an intensive marketing plan, startups can build awareness around their business, create a positive image and develop a strong customer base. It can also help them differentiate themselves from the competition and develop the best marketing mix to help them accomplish their business goals.
However, most startups and fledgling businesses are usually short of cash and do not have enough budget to spend on advertising and PR. So, how do you get around this limitation? Here are some simple ways that can help you market your business on a tight budget.
Creative Marketing Solutions on a Budget
Post videos online. Increase your chances of getting your business found by posting videos online. According to a survey conducted by Accenture in 2013, 90% of internet users all over the world watch online video content. This is huge considering the fact that YouTube currently have more than a billion users while Vimeo and Vine have 14 million and 13 million users, respectively.
Using videos can also help you rank higher in the search engines. In addition, research shows that people who watched a video in your site are 172% more likely to purchase your products and/or services.
Reach out with your blog. Aside from sharing news about your company, use your blog to provide interesting and useful content to your target audience. Consider creating top 10 lists and how-to articles to engage your prospective customers and demonstrate your expertise in your chosen niche. This can help you create a positive relationship with your audience and build a strong foundation for your community.
Search for your customers. Using forum search services can help you search for people who are interested in what you have to offer. Consider using services such as BoardTracker.com and BoardReader.com to discover potential customers.
Use the power of content curation. Compiling information that relates to your products and/or services can be an effective yet inexpensive way to raise interest. People are always looking for information so give them what they want and you can significantly increase traffic to your site.
Be social. Social media can help you build your brand’s voice and promote your business, even if you are on a shoestring budget. For best results, make sure to post regularly, and do not resort to hard selling. Rather, learn how to use social media platforms to engage and earn your target market’s trust.
