Marketing ideas?

Turner1974

Any ideas on how best to market a small business on a limited marketing budget? I'm starting up in the Derbyshire area. Free marketing ideas would be ideal,any ideas?

chalkie99

First idea -

Tell us what the business is!

We can't give good ideas without a clue as to who you are targetting.

oldtoolie

Check your public library and the internet for Guerrilla Marketing

heart_free

Whats your business? different businesses have different marketing needs!

Besides that have you got a website? Get yourself a website (even a free one will give you an online presence). Make sure you write optimised content and that its all SEO'd to get good organic rankings. Set up a Google places page and social media pages for the business (Facebook, twitter, linked in and google+ as minimum) - and make sure you update regularly.
Get your name out there by joining local business groups and networking groups. Along with contacts these can give you great support and advice too.
Go to Vistaprint and claim all the free marketing items that are available - and use them! Write some articles and submit them to local papers/online sites. Start a blog. Try and get a local paper to do an editorial piece on you.
Attend local events and hand out leaflets. Sponsor a local event/team etc - good for PR and marketing.

Hope you find something helpful here - good luck!

missy01

i have posted a thread about NABO (national alliance of business owners ) if they are an honest organisation then i think they could be a very good tool for marketing and it is all free. They do seem very well organised but i am just waiting to see if any feed back comes on the forum.

LianneCarlaS

There are lots of way's to market businesses many of them low-cost or no-cost. Thought I would share some links to a few pages which will give you suggestions and ideas rather then list things

Some great suggestions here:
151 ways to attract more clients by Fabienne Fredrickson
http://www.clientattraction.com/2012/06/151-ways-to-attract-more-clients.php

The ultimate guide to marketing on a budget:
http://working-freedom.co.uk/marketing-budget-ultimate-guide/

From the society of virtual assistants forums but many suggestions apply for all types of businesses
http://www.societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk/svaforum/viewtopic.php?t=377

Taverman

There are many web directories that allow you to add your business listing free such as Yell, Thompson, Freeindex and Scoot (Be aware they will always try to get you to go for paid listings)

Other ways include:

Business networking events
Linkedin, Twitter & Facebook pages
Blogging
List your business on Google Maps
Write articles for local papers with tips and advice

Barney30

There is quite a bit you can do on a limited budget. Website, social media, directories would be were I would start. Then perhaps a blog.
A lot of it doesn't cost too much to set up, but does take time to keep updated!