Top FREE marketing ideas

[Commercetherapy]

Hi all,
I am interested in hearing about your top FREE marketing ideas. I talk to a lot of new small business start ups and soloist about how we can market on an limited or non-exsistant budget. The most popular idea is a FB Fan page, next to memberships like FS.
If anybody has ideas that work for them could you please share?
Thanks
Sarah

[bridiej]

Having not had a clue myself a few months ago, I signed up to Chris Dale's free marketing email tips - they're really useful and give you loads of ideas that won't cost a penny!

You can sign up on his home page here http://www.marketinghq.com.au/

I'm not sure what your business is? But twitter is a great lead generator, write a blog, write articles and get them posted around the net (hub pages is a well ranked site for that), join forums that are linked to your business - could be potential clients or similar businesses.

The most important thing to do is network.

You'll be surprised how many clients come out of the blue purely from you linking up with them in a friendly way - rather than hounding them for business...

HTH

[MarketingHQ]

Someone say marketing ideas? Thanks for the mention Bridie, much appreciated. Here are 10 freebies for you.

1. Ask for and promote testimonials
2. Set up an email signature with website and contact details so people know who you are.
3. List your business in Google Places.
4. Optimise your website for relevant keywords to improve search engine ranking.
5. Networking
6. Asking for referrals from existing customers
7. Social media - ie LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
8. Content marketing - ie writing articles, blog posts and presentations.
9. Publicity - respond to SourceBottle requests.
10. Email marketing - Use MailChimp if you have under 1000 subscribers

Hope this helps.

[Commercetherapy]

Originally Posted by bridiej

Having not had a clue myself a few months ago, I signed up to Chris Dale's free marketing email tips - they're really useful and give you loads of ideas that won't cost a penny!

You can sign up on his home page here http://www.marketinghq.com.au/

I'm not sure what your business is? But twitter is a great lead generator, write a blog, write articles and get them posted around the net (hub pages is a well ranked site for that), join forums that are linked to your business - could be potential clients or similar businesses.

The most important thing to do is network.

You'll be surprised how many clients come out of the blue purely from you linking up with them in a friendly way - rather than hounding them for business...

HTH

Thanks :-) I work virtually as a business consultant and VA, I was doing quite a lot of networking before we had our last daughter, who is now 8mths old, and had no problem getting contracted work at all. Now I am seeking to get back to work, and with 2 littlies at home I don't get to network face to face anymore.
I will keep the FB, LI and Twitter happening and hope it picks up!
Thanks
Sarah

[Commercetherapy]

Originally Posted by MarketingHQ

Someone say marketing ideas? Thanks for the mention Bridie, much appreciated. Here are 10 freebies for you.

1. Ask for and promote testimonials
2. Set up an email signature with website and contact details so people know who you are.
3. List your business in Google Places.
4. Optimise your website for relevant keywords to improve search engine ranking.
5. Networking
6. Asking for referrals from existing customers
7. Social media - ie LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
8. Content marketing - ie writing articles, blog posts and presentations.
9. Publicity - respond to SourceBottle requests.
10. Email marketing - Use MailChimp if you have under 1000 subscribers

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for these, I have done 1/2 of them, so will tackle the other 5!
Sarah

[tomwhite]

Putting a signature on this forum will help you as you have a business this audience would be interested in. LinkedIn might also be a useful option for you.

How about getting together with others operating similar business and creating a virtual agency or even partnership work with complimentary businesses - I'll promote you, if you promote me....

[MarketingHQ]

Originally Posted by Commercetherapy

Thanks so much for these, I have done 1/2 of them, so will tackle the other 5!
Sarah

Thanks Sarah, no 2 was a hint to set up your signature in this forum. I see Tom suggested this as well. It helps readers to find out more about your business and will result in traffic to your website. Good luck with the rest.

Chris

[bridiej]

Originally Posted by Commercetherapy

Thanks :-) I work virtually as a business consultant and VA, I was doing quite a lot of networking before we had our last daughter, who is now 8mths old, and had no problem getting contracted work at all. Now I am seeking to get back to work, and with 2 littlies at home I don't get to network face to face anymore.
I will keep the FB, LI and Twitter happening and hope it picks up!
Thanks
Sarah

These forums are also great for VAs http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/

There's loads of tips and ideas and it's a great place to network

[Emroy]

I'm not sure where the concept of social media being free came from.

It can turn out being one of your most expensive marketing campaigns!! (time = money)

- Jake

[bridiej]

Good point Jake!

I guess it's "free" in the sense that you don't have to pay any money out to do it but yes, as you get busier it does get expensive in the "time is money" sense.