Marketing is one of the most flexible, high-potential areas where you can maximize a bootstrap budget. There are so many ways you can get the word out about your business, without spending much. Here are five bootstrap marketing techniques that you can integrate into your marketing plan today. The first step is signing up for an email marketing service that will allow you to easily collect email addresses, send targeted messages, and track the response. Once you have your system in place, encourage your customers and potential customers to sign up by:
Offering a free download in exchange for signing upPromising special offers and discounts to subscribersLaunching a monthly email newsletterProviding exclusive tips, advice and other information to subscribers
The most important thing to remember with any email marketing campaign is that you should make it clear what people are signing up for, promise not to sell or share their email addresses, and give subscribers an easy way to unsubscribe if they decide they do not want to receive messages from you at a later time. And the more you address your customers’ needs, the more they will purchase from you and refer you to others. This is why taking the time to get to know your customers is a powerful bootstrap marketing technique. There are many ways you can get to know your customers and show them how much they mean to you:
Ask for client testimonials and use them in your marketing materialsSend past customers free samples and other incentives to regain their businessCreate a customer satisfaction survey and track the results so you can continually improve your businessSend holiday gifts to your most important clientsCollect customer birthdays and send coupons or special offers each yearCreate a “frequent buyer” rewards program
Although you may be marketing to a large group, you want to think of each customer individually. Consider his or her individual needs, and personalize your marketing messages and approach to address those needs. By making your customers feel valued, you are setting the stage for long-term relationships. You are probably well aware of social sites like Twitter and Facebook and have seen businesses using these sites to get the word out about their products and services. But social media is a lot more than just Twitter or Facebook. There are hundreds of ways you can use social media to promote your business including:
Start a blog for your businessSubscribe to other blogs related to your topic and comment on blog posts consistentlyRecord videos for your business and upload them to a branded YouTube channelList your business on Google PlacesStart social bookmarking your online contentCreate a Pinterest account for your business that highlights your products, services or other resources
With any social media marketing activities, make sure you take the time to outline your goals and create a plan before diving in. It may be a quick and easy medium, but you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to a well-organized, strategic approach.
Giving away coupons or samples as a thank you when customers sign up for your email listRunning a contest that gives away a product to the winnerDesigning a free teleconference, webinar or local workshop for your target market
One thing to keep in mind is the value of the item or sample you are giving away. You want to provide a good representation of your business so you want the free item to be high-quality, relevant and useful, not cheap. You should also make sure you are not giving away too much; aim for a “taste” that gets your customers wanting more. If freebies aren’t right for your business, you can also give away your time in a way that promotes your brand. Consider organizing a charity event, donating your time and expertise pro bono to a non-profit, or even sponsoring a local sports team. Some of the most obvious ways to maximize your local community are by joining the Chamber of Commerce or other local professional organizations. Then, once you do, you want to be prepared with an effective elevator pitch and business cards before you start networking. Here are a few other grassroots bootstrap marketing ideas to explore:
Launch a strategic partnership with a complementary businessCo-sponsor an event with another local businessUse wearable marketing (shirts, hats, bags) for passive “on-the-street” promotionUse a sidewalk sign to promote your products and services
