10 New low-Cost Ways to Market Your Business
by Michael Dagostino ~ belowcostprinting.com
Your brochure, postcard or printed piece is probably your most important piece of low-cost advertising, but a lot of businesses across the country fail to take advantage of the endless possibilities. Your brochure is an extension of your business and your passion. Today it costs pennies to print a professional full color glossy brochure, postcard or other printed piece and if marketed correctly, it can yield thousands of dollars in extra business. Stop pumping money into yellow page ads, local cable, radio, newspaper ads and “penny saver” type magazines. This is a waste of time and money. Just focus on a 3 - 5 mile radius around your business and you will see great results. Increase your sales and save money. Remember! You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Give your customers what they want; convenience and choices.
Here are 10 new low cost ways to market your business and save thousands a year on your marketing dollars:
Mail your printed piece using Every Door Direct mail for only 20 cents postage with The U. S. Postal Service.
The United States Postal Service has a new direct mailing program...and it’s FREE!!! By mailing your printed piece to local homes, businesses and new movers in your local area, with the new!!! Every Door Direct Mail Program, (EDDM) you can increase your sales and generate new customers. That’s only $200.00 per 1,000 pieces mailed to every mailbox, in any carrier route, nationwide! Direct mail is still the most trusted form of advertising to baby boomers ages 45 - 65. Market your business where the money is!!!
The EDDM program, setup and mailing permit, are all FREE!!! You pay for postage as you go and there are no minimums, no tabbing, no addressing and absolutely no contracts. You can also request a “drop date” for your brochures to be delivered on a specific day of the week, plus get FREE help from the postal service. Just ask to speak to a “business solutions specialist” or visit: www.usps.com/eddm, and sign up today. Every Door Direct Mail money saving secrets Revealed!!! Team up with local non-competitive businesses.... Get them to print a flyer, postcard or brochure to insert inside your mailing and split the postage costs. Whether your business is a Law firm, chiropractor, pharmacy, car dealership, florist, landscaper, real estate agent, furniture store or a restaurant, the EDDM program can help to increase your sales!
Another great tip is to get your hands on a local Sunday newspaper, call all the local businesses that have their advertisement inserted inside. 8 out of 10 companies will be interested in “merge mailing“ their offers with your Every Door Direct Mailer. You can insert as many flyers, postcards and brochures in your Every Door Direct Mailer, up to 3.3 ounces, and still pay only 18.7 cents postage each. Ask your “Business Solutions Specialist” for more details..... Every small business owner is in need of low cost advertising. Direct mail works better then any other form of advertising.
Add a Coupon Strip on Your Brochure
Putting a coupon strip on the side of your brochure works great when you mail or hand them out. Customers/clients can cut off the coupon strip and receive discounts or promotions specific to your business, with referrals or a free service after 3 visits. Don’t use the same old offers. Be creative and blow your competition out of the water! Ask some of your loyal customers what kind of offers they would like to see on your next mailer. Let the customer/client feel like they received something of value. Don’t listen to the critics. In this bad economy, everyone’s looking for a good deal. Coupons are a great way to increase sales and generate new customers.
YOUR BROCHURE IS YOUR # 1 MARKETING TOOL
If your brochure is just one or two colors, or even worse, a black and white photocopy, you need to update your brochure/newsletter in order to compete in today’s market. With full color glossy brochure prices at an all time low, you can now afford to print them professionally, in full color, for pennies. Make sure the printer you choose specializes in marketing, engineering and custom design of your brochure. You can then show off your business in style and generate more money and more clients. Customers shop and buy with their eyes so use high quality professional photos and graphics. Studies have shown your brochure is your number one marketing tool. Some customers in our study stated to us “if the business owner is cutting corners on his advertisements, is he cutting corners with his service? If they can’t invest the money and time in the presentation of their business, how much do they really care about their customers?” Think to yourself, would you hire a lawyer for a $2,000 job if he handed you a black and white photocopy of his business card. You would not take him seriously!!! Remember! Presentation Is Everything. Invest the extra money into a new brochure and you will see results and increase your sales as well as your clientele!!!
A $10.00 MAILBOX CAN MAKE YOU $1,000’S
In New York City, many business owners buy a small mailbox from the local hardware store in which they place their brochure mailers. Then they attach the mailbox to the outside near their front door. You will be surprised to know that people are embarrassed to come in and ask for a brochure or they don’t even know that you have one. People will take your brochure home or back to the office and look it over for future business. You are making it convenient for the customer and that’s what customers want. A good tip is to buy a small rectangular mailbox that opens from the top to keep your mailers dry during bad weather. Also put a sign next to the mailbox saying: “Please take one.” You do not want to confuse your mail carrier.
A BROCHURE IN EVERY BAG OR BOX THAT LEAVES YOUR OFFICE
Yes, in every bag and box that leaves your place of business..... Promotional give-a-ways, samples, advertisements, etc. Why, you ask??? Because you never know where that bag or box is going. That customer could be taking your brochure to a friend’s house that has never heard of your name or familiar with your service. Or take the brochure back to an employee break room. Don’t “harbor” your brochures; mail them out, display them on your counters, have your office assistants hand them out to each customer as they leave your office. Hand them out to local businesses and always have a bunch in your car. When you meet someone in your daily travels give him or her a few brochures. This is like putting out pennies and getting back dollars. It’s that simple!!!
PUT THEM ON YOUR COUNTER
I walk into thousands of businesses a year. I can’t tell you how many times owners scramble when I ask for a brochure of their services. You should have your brochures/business cards, etc. neatly placed in a rack where your customers can clearly see them. Make it easier for your customers to get them. The more customers take your brochures, the more your sales will increase.
YOUR STAFF AND WORD OF MOUTH
Your staff is a valuable tool that is overlooked. Your staff, whether it is your office assistant, secretary or clerk , most likely live near your business. They have friends, family, go to school and are members of local clubs. They are your voice, “your word-of-mouth advertising.” How do you make them talk and recommend your service? Incentives! Everyone loves incentives whether it is a day off, a free meal, movie tickets, promotional voucher or a cash bonus. Assign every staff member a number and a few hundred brochures/mailers. Let them go out and promote your business, when a customer comes to you referred by that staff member, give them the incentive you’ve worked out.
IN YOUR BILLS AND STATEMENTS
Why not attach your brochure to your bill, or insert it in your bank statement? Someone has to open your mail or cash your check. These people may have a need for your service. The most important point is how much money do these companies collect from you a month? Do they ever use your servicesRemember, people who you give business to should give you business back. Write down a list of everyone you wrote a check out to last month, and then mark off who gave you business back. A customer of mine tried this one idea and now his business has expanded two-fold
MAKE UP A LOCAL TRAVEL GUIDE FOR YOUR AREA
This guide needs a local map of your area with points of interest. List important phone numbers as seen in your local yellow pages. You are the publisher so you say who’s in or out. You can put other non-competing businesses in your guide, but leave your competition out. Place your brochure on the first page of your specific business section. The only cost to you is time. You have your brochure and whatever it costs to get some binders and clear insert pages. You can charge a small fee to the other advertisers. When you have the guides ready, drop them off at all your local hotels, motels and don’t forget the places of interest. The personnel at hotels and attractions usually love to recommend local businesses to their customers.
TAXI CAB CONFESSIONS
Taxi’s, limousine’s, shuttle drivers and hotels are a great asset for promoting your business. These drivers and staff are always in constant contact with fresh leads. Tourists and visitors trust local recommendations. The same is true with your employees. You should provide each driver with a special number to put on his or her brochure or voucher. When people bring in a brochure or voucher with that number on it, that employee gets an incentive.
THESE 10 NEW IDEAS WILL INCREASE YOUR SALES AND DRAW MORE CUSTOMERS TO YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS. “THE MORE SEEDS YOU PLANT, THE MORE WILL GROW.”
Here are 10 new low cost ways to market your business and save thousands a year on your marketing dollars:
Mail your printed piece using Every Door Direct mail for only 20 cents postage with The U. S. Postal Service.
The United States Postal Service has a new direct mailing program...and it’s FREE!!! By mailing your printed piece to local homes, businesses and new movers in your local area, with the new!!! Every Door Direct Mail Program, (EDDM) you can increase your sales and generate new customers. That’s only $200.00 per 1,000 pieces mailed to every mailbox, in any carrier route, nationwide! Direct mail is still the most trusted form of advertising to baby boomers ages 45 - 65. Market your business where the money is!!!
The EDDM program, setup and mailing permit, are all FREE!!! You pay for postage as you go and there are no minimums, no tabbing, no addressing and absolutely no contracts. You can also request a “drop date” for your brochures to be delivered on a specific day of the week, plus get FREE help from the postal service. Just ask to speak to a “business solutions specialist” or visit: www.usps.com/eddm, and sign up today. Every Door Direct Mail money saving secrets Revealed!!! Team up with local non-competitive businesses.... Get them to print a flyer, postcard or brochure to insert inside your mailing and split the postage costs. Whether your business is a Law firm, chiropractor, pharmacy, car dealership, florist, landscaper, real estate agent, furniture store or a restaurant, the EDDM program can help to increase your sales!
Another great tip is to get your hands on a local Sunday newspaper, call all the local businesses that have their advertisement inserted inside. 8 out of 10 companies will be interested in “merge mailing“ their offers with your Every Door Direct Mailer. You can insert as many flyers, postcards and brochures in your Every Door Direct Mailer, up to 3.3 ounces, and still pay only 18.7 cents postage each. Ask your “Business Solutions Specialist” for more details..... Every small business owner is in need of low cost advertising. Direct mail works better then any other form of advertising.
Add a Coupon Strip on Your Brochure
Putting a coupon strip on the side of your brochure works great when you mail or hand them out. Customers/clients can cut off the coupon strip and receive discounts or promotions specific to your business, with referrals or a free service after 3 visits. Don’t use the same old offers. Be creative and blow your competition out of the water! Ask some of your loyal customers what kind of offers they would like to see on your next mailer. Let the customer/client feel like they received something of value. Don’t listen to the critics. In this bad economy, everyone’s looking for a good deal. Coupons are a great way to increase sales and generate new customers.
YOUR BROCHURE IS YOUR # 1 MARKETING TOOL
If your brochure is just one or two colors, or even worse, a black and white photocopy, you need to update your brochure/newsletter in order to compete in today’s market. With full color glossy brochure prices at an all time low, you can now afford to print them professionally, in full color, for pennies. Make sure the printer you choose specializes in marketing, engineering and custom design of your brochure. You can then show off your business in style and generate more money and more clients. Customers shop and buy with their eyes so use high quality professional photos and graphics. Studies have shown your brochure is your number one marketing tool. Some customers in our study stated to us “if the business owner is cutting corners on his advertisements, is he cutting corners with his service? If they can’t invest the money and time in the presentation of their business, how much do they really care about their customers?” Think to yourself, would you hire a lawyer for a $2,000 job if he handed you a black and white photocopy of his business card. You would not take him seriously!!! Remember! Presentation Is Everything. Invest the extra money into a new brochure and you will see results and increase your sales as well as your clientele!!!
A $10.00 MAILBOX CAN MAKE YOU $1,000’S
In New York City, many business owners buy a small mailbox from the local hardware store in which they place their brochure mailers. Then they attach the mailbox to the outside near their front door. You will be surprised to know that people are embarrassed to come in and ask for a brochure or they don’t even know that you have one. People will take your brochure home or back to the office and look it over for future business. You are making it convenient for the customer and that’s what customers want. A good tip is to buy a small rectangular mailbox that opens from the top to keep your mailers dry during bad weather. Also put a sign next to the mailbox saying: “Please take one.” You do not want to confuse your mail carrier.
A BROCHURE IN EVERY BAG OR BOX THAT LEAVES YOUR OFFICE
Yes, in every bag and box that leaves your place of business..... Promotional give-a-ways, samples, advertisements, etc. Why, you ask??? Because you never know where that bag or box is going. That customer could be taking your brochure to a friend’s house that has never heard of your name or familiar with your service. Or take the brochure back to an employee break room. Don’t “harbor” your brochures; mail them out, display them on your counters, have your office assistants hand them out to each customer as they leave your office. Hand them out to local businesses and always have a bunch in your car. When you meet someone in your daily travels give him or her a few brochures. This is like putting out pennies and getting back dollars. It’s that simple!!!
PUT THEM ON YOUR COUNTER
I walk into thousands of businesses a year. I can’t tell you how many times owners scramble when I ask for a brochure of their services. You should have your brochures/business cards, etc. neatly placed in a rack where your customers can clearly see them. Make it easier for your customers to get them. The more customers take your brochures, the more your sales will increase.
YOUR STAFF AND WORD OF MOUTH
Your staff is a valuable tool that is overlooked. Your staff, whether it is your office assistant, secretary or clerk , most likely live near your business. They have friends, family, go to school and are members of local clubs. They are your voice, “your word-of-mouth advertising.” How do you make them talk and recommend your service? Incentives! Everyone loves incentives whether it is a day off, a free meal, movie tickets, promotional voucher or a cash bonus. Assign every staff member a number and a few hundred brochures/mailers. Let them go out and promote your business, when a customer comes to you referred by that staff member, give them the incentive you’ve worked out.
IN YOUR BILLS AND STATEMENTS
Why not attach your brochure to your bill, or insert it in your bank statement? Someone has to open your mail or cash your check. These people may have a need for your service. The most important point is how much money do these companies collect from you a month? Do they ever use your servicesRemember, people who you give business to should give you business back. Write down a list of everyone you wrote a check out to last month, and then mark off who gave you business back. A customer of mine tried this one idea and now his business has expanded two-fold
MAKE UP A LOCAL TRAVEL GUIDE FOR YOUR AREA
This guide needs a local map of your area with points of interest. List important phone numbers as seen in your local yellow pages. You are the publisher so you say who’s in or out. You can put other non-competing businesses in your guide, but leave your competition out. Place your brochure on the first page of your specific business section. The only cost to you is time. You have your brochure and whatever it costs to get some binders and clear insert pages. You can charge a small fee to the other advertisers. When you have the guides ready, drop them off at all your local hotels, motels and don’t forget the places of interest. The personnel at hotels and attractions usually love to recommend local businesses to their customers.
TAXI CAB CONFESSIONS
Taxi’s, limousine’s, shuttle drivers and hotels are a great asset for promoting your business. These drivers and staff are always in constant contact with fresh leads. Tourists and visitors trust local recommendations. The same is true with your employees. You should provide each driver with a special number to put on his or her brochure or voucher. When people bring in a brochure or voucher with that number on it, that employee gets an incentive.
THESE 10 NEW IDEAS WILL INCREASE YOUR SALES AND DRAW MORE CUSTOMERS TO YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS. “THE MORE SEEDS YOU PLANT, THE MORE WILL GROW.”
