How to Market Startup even on Meager Budget
In a world of startups, a good idea is worth billion dollars. However, before they start laughing all the way to the bank, all aspiring entrepreneurs have to convince a huge number of people to pay them for that idea. So, here comes the first problem in this story of success – A need for efficient and far-reaching marketing that can be accomplished even on a meager budget. The fact that competition is very fierce and numerous doesn’t help this situation, either. Let’s see if we can find a solution to this problem.
Blogging
If you frequently post quality and relevant content, you can establish yourself as an authority in your niche and turn your website from the place your visitors come to with a specific purpose, to the place they come to spend time. The latter scenario will lead to increased revenue. Blogging also opens up a whole range of new marketing possibilities like guest-blogging, networking and collaboration with influencers.
Social Media Marketing
By this point, social networks became entire eco-systems populated with huge number of inhabitants. You should pull all effort into tapping into this powerful pool of potential customers. Calls to action, giveaways, and photo contests are only some of the ways you can use to quickly increase your follower base. If you prefer more direct approach, all relevant social networks have in-built payed marketing mechanisms.
SEO
The third member of the “Holy Trinity” of online marketing, Search Engine Optimization is a marketing method that allows you to improve your search engine rankings by carefully placing keywords into the content you are pushing online. If carefully utilized, the combined forces of blogging, SEO, and social media marketing can grant you a very affordable way to reach a huge number of potential customers all around the world.
Guerilla Marketing
If you would look in some warfare textbook you would probably found out that guerilla warfare is a combat method against the more numerous enemy force that heavily relies on the element of surprise. Guerilla marketing is exactly that but conducted in marketing terms. Graffities, public performances, 3D art, gamification, and customized company vehicles are only some of the weapons you are going to use to win this war.
Promotional Products
Promotional products are a perfect way to turn your audience into brand evangelists by offering them something they will value and will be willing to use in public. Because of their tangibility and their staying power, they tend to change a lot of hands and produce a great ROI. If you make them appealing enough you can use anything ranging from slap bracelets to customized USBs to your advantage.
Ensure Celebrity Endorsement
Never underestimate power of a celebrity. Even if we are speaking about a local celebrity(since the budget is meagre), a simple mention on the social media profile, podcast or in the public appearance will go a long way to drag your brand out of obscurity and put it in the spotlight. Involvement of a celebrity in some of your guerilla actions is almost certainly a guarantee of public attention.
Phone Calls
In this day and age where marketing battles are fought almost exclusively in the online realm, people often underestimate the power of a phone call. Going through a phonebook will give you an opportunity to meet your customers “face to face” and personalize your marketing approach for each one of them. Also, such direct marketing approach can grant you a very valuable feedback you would have to wait months for if you were using some other, more abstract, marketing method.
While all these methods have their own pros and cons, neither one of them is a guarantee of success. That is why it is the best to enter your marketing campaign heads on and fire on all fronts. The current business world is crowded and unforgiving. You may get only one shot at the glory.
This article has been written by Diana Smith. Diana is a full time mom and is interested in topics related to marketing and latest business technologies.
