Marketing Options
Whether it was putting an ad in a newspaper, recording a
jingle for the radio or shooting a commercial for television, marketing
campaigns used to require a lot of cash. While those methods still exist, the
Internet has opened new avenues for businesses to market their products and
services for free.
Here are seven ways to promote your business without
spending a dime.
Facebook
As the most popular social networking site, Facebook gives
businesses a free outlet to reach millions of potential new customers.
Similarly to how individual Facebook users can create personal pages,
businesses can set up their own dedicated page on Facebook to help grow their
venture, build brand awareness and develop relationships with consumers.
Besides providing all the business' vitals – including name, location, phone
number and Web address – the Facebook page gives businesses a forum to speak to
their customers about company news, special promotions and new products. Many
businesses also use their Facebook page to run contests and free giveaways as a
way to attract new
shoppers.
Twitter
The popular micro-blogging site Twitter is also a way to reach new customers
without the expense. Twitter offers businesses a platform for connecting their
brand with things people care about. The social networking site bills itself as
a canvas for telling engaging stories, broadcasting content, connecting
directly with consumers and driving transactions. The site provides businesses
with a unique opportunity to see what their customers are saying, ask them
questions and respond to their concerns. Businesses can also use Twitter to run
special deals and promotions
Local Listing Services
For many consumers, the Internet is the first place they
look when searching for a business. Since local search entries are often the
first choices given in a search query, businesses can easily attract new
customers and clients by simply making sure they are listed on the sites. The
local search listings offer businesses an easy way to highlight their location,
hours and contact information. The most popular local search listing sites are Google Places, Yahoo! Local and Microsoft
Bing.
Online video
Few things create buzz for a business more than a great
viral video. While not every video will become a huge hit, they do provide a
more engaging way to get information to consumers. While a normal ad won't do
the trick, businesses can use creative videos to build new interest in their
company. Examples include videos of company parties for those who were unable
to attend, how-to videos for consumers looking for more information on using a
product or service, and video confessionals of happy customers and clients.
While posting videos on YouTube
remains the most popular route, small businesses also can take advantage of
other sites like Viddler,
Vimeo, Dailymotion
and Ustream
No comments:
Post a Comment