If you run a small business or are just starting up, you need to stretch every penny of your marketing budget. For maximum results from minimum outlay, make sure you use these five creative marketing techniques.
1. Get fresh web content
The UK’s economy is reported to be the most internet-based major economy in the world and even many of the transactions made offline start with a Google search. If your website is becoming stale you could be missing out on your slice of the market.
One of the best ways to boost your website’s Google ranking and generate traffic is to regularly update your website with original content. Write blogs, news and articles that are interesting to your target market or outsource your content requirements to ensure fresh content is frequently added.
2. Use article marketing or write guest blogs
Article directories and blogs can help you develop your online presence and generate links back to your website, increasing traffic and improving your Google ranking. There are numerous article directories and popular blogs that are happy to publish content that link back to your website if it is well-written, informative and appealing to their visitors.
3. Build a strong social media presence
Put as much care and attention into your social media pages as you do your website to further boost your chances of netting internet searchers. Once you’ve created winning profiles, ensure your blogs, news and website updates are always posted, as well as additional images, videos and short interesting messages, which can help generate more “likes” and “followers”.
Then, if you’re looking for inspiration for additional creative marketing ideas, use social media research to ask your target market for their thoughts and ideas!
Surveys of social media users can help you discover how your target market uses your product and rival products and pinpoint how to develop your product and brand for maximum appeal.
4. Organise events that will generate PR
Attract publicity by hosting a free event or taking part in a newsworthy activity and issuing a media release and press invitation. Offer them food, drink and other freebies with the promise of a good story and you can pretty much guarantee yourself some coverage! Make sure you maximise this attention by blogging about it on your website and sharing your news using social media.
5. Think outside of the box
In today’s world, consumers are faced with thousands of adverts on a daily basis. If you want to get people’s attention, you need to come up with something that people don’t see every day. “Shockvertising” campaigns, such as French Connections’ “fcuk” campaign, can create massive publicity. Brainstorm a campaign that harnesses the power of shock or surprise and your company’s name could become the one on everyone’s lips.
Enjoy being creative
Have fun with ideas and your creative marketing techniques could soon be igniting both your clients and your bottom line!
photo credit: JefferyTurner via photopin cc