An effective marketing plan is very important for all the businesses, irrespective of the size. While large businesses have the opportunity to invest heavily, small businesses do not have that luxury.
The challenge for small businesses is to figure out how to get the most bang for their marketing buck.
Linda and Mike Boyd, who own a nationwide franchise named Instant Imprints has shared few amazing cost-effective marketing plans, listed by Chad Brooks.
- Do Not Waste Time On Things That You Aren’t Good At
For a successful marketing campaign, the first step is to create a marketing strategy that you are comfortable doing. Do not replicate a strategy from others, since every business requires a different kind of marketing campaign, depending upon the type of business, locality and the target market.
Do something that you can do well and consistently. Through direct mailings, weekly emails and pay-per click, are some of the cost-effective ways of marketing.
- Send Personalized Messages To Customers
Whenever, you get a business card, either as a customer or at any networking event, make sure that you come back to your office and take down all the information and start promoting your products and services to them through a personalized message/mail.
- It’s Important To Become A A Business Leader
Sitting in your office within four walls will not fetch you results. You will have to explore your local community. First, you must become a hero to your community. Then start exploring the other areas. According to Boyds, “We knew that sitting within the four walls of our shop and waiting for the next customer to find us wasn’t a good plan. You need to become a business leader in your community.”
- Say” Thank You” to Customers
Do not forget to thank your customers, Make sure that you Thank every single customer after their purchase. As it leaves a good impression about your business, meanwhile it also becomes a gentle reminder for their next purchase.
- Change What Doesn’t Work
Small businesses always have an opportunity to change the plan that doesn’t work. All the strategies won’t work for all the businesses. However, trial and error is a good idea, you must eliminate the ones that do not work for you and start spending more time on the ones that has shown to be working for you.
Resources:
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6289-making-the-most-of-your-marketing-plan.html
www.thomsondata.com
