Marketing doesn't Cost Money...

MARKETING

I eat and breathe marketing and you should too as a business owner. You may not offer marketing service, but you should be marketing your service (and product if appropriate). Whatever your business is, butcher, baker or candlestick maker; you are not in the butcher, baker or candlestick maker business… you are in the marketing business!

I don’t have enough space here to try to convince you of this. First know that yes, you are creating and presenting something you love making or doing. If not, sell your business now; before it becomes worthless (or its worthlessness becomes known). When you are confident you have the best product or service, spend most of your time thinking of ways to tell others. That is marketing.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

As the owner, hire good people to do the work, and you spend your time thinking of ways to market it.

You don’t have to spend (or invest) money in most marketing methods. Amplifying what is commonly known as Word of mouth advertising (which isn’t really “word of mouth” or “advertising” as I’ll explain sometime) can be done inexpensively both online and off and it seems that the most effective is no cost.

Think creatively but not “cutesy”.

And the “big one” is always consider your audience and strive to think and see you, your business with its product and services through their eyes.

Assignment:

Take a sheet of paper and write down 10 ways to market your business without using any money. (Later you can add money to anything and sometimes make it more effective but start your list with events, and acts which require no or very little outlay. For instance, a smile costs nothing but it is an advertising technique seldom used; another is using the words, “Thank you”; but now I’m doing your assignment!

Then before your next week, either on Sunday night or Monday morning (or any time which works for your routine), repeat this exercise. Make this an ongoing routine in your business life.

Here’s the advertisement I promised, actually there are two:

Consider using our Secret Patron Service. It is a totally customized service exclusively tailored to your needs.

Click for details. 

Also, visit and like my Facebook page for a chance to win a nice dinner and evening with yours truly at your choice of restaurant in the Twin Ports area. It will be a great opportunity to have your marketing questions answered during an awesome and relaxed event. (Visit the page and scroll down to see the contest post).