20 No Cost Ideas for Marketing in Tough Times

by smallbizbee · 13 comments

Last week we talked about some low or no cost ideas for marketing your business, and in keeping with the theme I thought I’d bring you 20 more.

Here are 20 no cost marketing ideas from Keith Monaghan, a veteran marketer who helps businesses with their marketing strategy and advises them on building relationships in today’s hyper-social marketplace. He’s also from my hometown of Portland, OR which makes him a swell guy too.

My Favorite Ideas

Here are a couple of my favorite ideas from his list. As you can see they aren’t your “typical” low cost ways to advertise, but they can have a powerful impact on your business.

For the full list you can read Keith’s eBook below, or download your own copy here.

IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE

The difference between good and great is in the details. Can your customer service experience be improved with a few tweaks or an easy policy change? Do it. Make it as seamless and enjoyable as you can (yes, enjoyable). In short: make it rock, because happy customers are loyal customers and you need those more than ever right now.

LET CUSTOMERS KNOW YOU APPRECIATE THEM

When was the last time you said “thank you” to a customer? Just as with any relationship in your life, it pays to express gratitude on a regular basis. Sound corny? Think of it this way: Customers who feel appreciated are going to give the love right back in the form of loyalty. Send them and email, make a call, interact with them any way you see fit. Just let them know they are important. It works.

SET UP A COMPANY BLOG

Many companies are making great use of blogs. Amazon uses a variety of blogs to cross market products. The CEO of Zappos keeps investors and customers up to date via his blog. Even Fortune 500 companies understand the value of engaging customers through blogs. Start by having the free, open source, and highly popular WordPress installed on your site, then do your homework. Here are two guides to help you find the right tone and strategy: 10 Tips for Becoming a Great Corporate Blogger, and Problogger’s Guide to Corporate Blogging.

SEARCH FOR YOURSELF

People are talking about you online. Find them with Google Blog Search, twitter search, Technorati, and whatever other tools you like. Once you find them, make contact. Respond to their comment. Address a complaint. Right a wrong. Say thank you. Start a conversation. Just let them know you appreciate the comment. Most of them will be happy to hear from you. See also: “Help Your Fans Spread the Love”.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

Peter F. Drucker, the father of modern business management said “What’s measured improves“. Are you measuring your web site traffic? Google Analytics is free, includes enterprise level tools, and features Conversion University, where you can learn how to make sense of the numbers and improve traffic to your site. Now there is no excuse.

GO BACK TO OLD CUSTOMERS

We’ve all heard the old adage that it’s easier to keep an existing customer than win a new one. But it may also be worth going through your list of older inactive customers and trying to reactivate a few of the better ones. Give them a call, tell them you value them, ask what it will take to get them back. You might be surprised at how simple or low-cost it is. If they say no thanks, consider it a learning opportunity and wish them the best. Then call them back in a year and ask again.

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Marketing in Tough Times - 20 No-Cost Ideas

Photo Credit: John Althouse Cohen

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