Five Ideas for Unique (and Cheap) Marketing
By Vishal P. Rao
Home-based businesses generally lack the large marketing budgets of
bigger companies, but a smaller budget doesn't have to stop you from
engaging in clever and effective campaigns.
When marketing on a budget, you need to "think outside the box" and
go beyond the obvious marketing approaches. Direct mail and banner
ads, for example, are one way to go, but if your competition is using
similar methods, you need to differentiate yourself.
Below you will find a few unique ways to boost the exposure of your
home-based business and generate more sales without depleting your
budget.
Idea #1 Offer Something for Nothing
One of the biggest ways to draw a crowd off- and on-line is by
offering something for free. In particular, something that will be of
interest to your target audience.
For example, if you sell arts and crafts, you might offer a free
guide to craft shows in North America. If you sell collectibles, you
might offer a free newsletter of tips and news relevant to collectors.
If you sell marketing books, you might offer free articles about
marketing.
When you provide these types of freebies, people will flock to your
site. Some may only be interested in your free stuff, but others will
take the next step and become full-fledged customers.
Remember that whatever you give away has a high perceived value,
but costs little to produce.
Idea #2 Join On-line Discussion Groups
No matter what you are selling, chances are there's a discussion
group on the Internet patronized by your target audience. The key is
to find the right ones and become a member.
Once you find that group, start visiting the forums and message
boards and responding to questions regarding your area of expertise.
You should create a subtle signature file to post along with your
responses. This file should direct people to your web site for further
information.
Does this method work? One person who used it earned $6000 just
from efforts involving discussion groups.
Idea #3 Consider the Charitable Angle
People enjoy making a contribution to worthy causes and doing
business with companies that try to make a difference in the world.
Consider setting aside a portion of all sales as donations to a
specific charity. Make sure to select a charity with a wide appeal and
a good reputation. Don't forget that these donations also make
appropriate topics for press releases which could bring you even more
attention and sales.
Idea #4 Repackage Products
After a product has been available for awhile, sales naturally
decline. You could lower the price or even discontinue the product
altogether as solutions, but a better way to boost slow sales is to
repackage those old products and sell them in a whole new way.
Consider bundling multiple products together for one price or offer
the older product as a free gift to new customers. You may also want
to try it out on a totally new target audience. Simply taking the time
to revamp an old product, perhaps with the addition of a new chapter
or special feature, can allow it to be sold as an all-new version.
Repackaging can help you boost sales and extend the profitable life
of your products.
Idea #5 Sell Yourself as an Expert
No matter what you sell, you are proclaiming yourself to be
knowledgeable and experienced in that industry. People want to believe
that you are an expert who they can trust with their hard-earned cash.
You want to convince people that you are an expert who has products
that deliver what you promise.
One of the best ways to do both of these things is to become a
speaker on topics related to your industry and to home-based business
in general. Speakers are needed at a variety of functions, including
trade shows, chamber of commerce functions, high school/college career
festivals, and more.
Another way to position yourself as an expert is to become a
part-time teacher in a college or community center where you share
your knowledge of business and your industry with others. Or consider
becoming an author. You could write an e-book related to your business
which could gain you considerable recognition as well as revenue.
Any of these methods will help you market yourself as an
experienced professional worthy of potential customers' attention.
With these five ideas and a little creativity, you can take steps
to set your business, your product, and your marketing apart from your
competition.
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Vishal P. Rao is the owner of
Home Based Business Opportunities - One of Internet's leading
website dedicated to starting, managing and marketing a home based
business.
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