SVSCORE Tip:
Cheap Marketing without looking cheap!

1        PARTNERING - Find other businesses that you can partner with.  This can work at fairs and business conventions, even in ads and posters.  At fairs you can share the cost of a booth.  Booths are normally  6 feet long tables or larger and this is plenty of room for multiple handouts and displays plus you don’t have the problem of making sure the booth is covered for the entire time and you have someone to talk to.

In the case of advertisements in periodicals you might consider doing every other issue while your partner takes the issue you skip. You should expect a better placement position and a better rate by working together.  Many businesses are related to the extent that each can reference the other by keeping literature at each location for the other.  For example service businesses that both serve home owners.

2        SAMPLES - If you have a product, hand out free samples at places that are “rich” in potential customers.  Make sure the samples clearly indicate where the customer can buy more! For most products, free samples cost little, particularly if they are sitting in inventory waiting for sales.  If you provide a service, you can discount for first time users, make sure they know you would like to use them as a reference if they are happy with your service.

3        WORD OF MOUTH - The best of all cost effective methods. First make sure your happy customers or clients have something like a brochure or card that they can give to their friends and colleagues and make it easy for them to contact you.  If you are in a service business, consider giving your clients "a little extra service".  This often impresses them and helps them to have positive memories of your work.