The Importance of Marketing

Low Cost Marketing Strategies

Marketing is critical to the success of any business, whether a new business, small business, or a business that has long since established its identity. The simple fact is that without marketing, your business is losing the one thing that keeps it going: its customers. Many businesses (especially small businesses) often frown at the amount of money it takes to get the company name out and falling from customer lips. But, despite the old adage that "it takes money to make money", these days there are several marketing advantages that don't have to cost an arm and a leg. As always, yard signs are a cheap advantage over the competition, but there are other alternatives as well. If you are currently working on a marketing budget, there are a few quick and cheap ways to pump up your visibility.

The first marketing strategy I would like to visit is Word-of-Mouth-Marketing (WOMM).
What is word of mouth marketing, you ask? Well, the phrase alone should speak for its self but...

Word-of-Mouth-Marketing is simply the passing of information from person to person via e-mail, conversation, phone, etc. With the internet now playing a huge roll in social and business networking, Word-of-mouth marketing has grown to encompass such sites as MySpace, FaceBook, Digg, Delicious... and the list goes on. With the increasing use of the Internet as a research and communications platform, word of mouth has become an even more powerful and useful resource for consumers and marketers. Think about it. Word-of-Mouth-Marketing doesn't depend on the economical situation, fluctuation, or even what your competators are doing. Better yet, it doesn't have to cost you anything except a bit of dedication, time, and patience. If you think of Word-of-Mouth-Marketing as a long term goal, you'll have a pretty clear indication of how far it can get you. Cultivated properly, you can increase your prospects, your customer base, and your profits simply because of your reputation and knowledge.

Take a moment and ask yourself this: Are you utilizing the vast tools offered by the internet? Have you created a business blog that informs the public about your company and what you do? Published articles about your company that share the daily going ons? How to video's? The vast array of possibilities are virtually endless. Create and expand your social and business network by joining different online communities. Most of these communities allow you to join and create your profile for no cost and give you a free blog spot. Sharing what goes on everyday in your office (or having your employees share) not only opens new avenues of communication, but allows customers (or potential customers) to see that you're just everyday folks...just like them.

You don't have to be a marketing guru to reach your customers and you don't have to spend thousands of dollars either. Stay tuned for more money saving marketing strategies....

Gwynn~