25 Aug Marketing on a Budget for Startups
Regardless of their size, the costs associated with marketing and advertising can swiftly accumulate for any business. Discovering ways to control these expenditures is a priority for every company.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your marketing spend reasonable:
Avoid Mega Marketing Campaigns
Be smart about how your marketing dollars are spent. Adopt a “Guerilla Marketing” philosophy in regard to your marketing strategy. Be sure to get the biggest bang for your buck by focusing your spending on realistic channels that will reach your ideal customers.
Assess Your Current Marketing Budget
The first step toward reducing marketing and advertising costs involves evaluating your existing budget. This exercise will give you a better understanding as to where your funds are currently assigned and identifies potential areas for streamlining.
Evaluate Your Current Marketing Strategies
Following a budget review, take a close look at your current marketing and advertising strategies. Are they yielding the desired results? Are they effectively reaching your intended audience? Are there other, more economical methods to achieve your marketing objectives?
Establish A Realistic Budget
You need to be realistic when setting you marketing budget. Be careful of setting an excessively low budget that will make it impossible to achieve your goals. Simultaneously, avoid creating a budget so exorbitant that it strains your financial resources. See if you can set your budget as a percentage of your revenue so that it can expand and contract with the health of the business.
Think Outside the Standard Methods of Marketing
While traditional avenues such as print ads, television spots, and radio commercials hold their place, consider unconventional alternatives that can be equally, if not more, effective. Today’s growing companies embrace channels like online marketing, social media strategies, and guerrilla marketing.
Get Creative with Your Marketing Campaigns
One of the best ways to reduce your marketing spend is to get really creative with your campaigns. There are endless possibilities when it comes to campaign ideas, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Do your best to be creative, unique, and memorable.
Harness Cost-Effective Marketing Opportunities
Numerous low-cost or free-of-charge marketing and advertising avenues are available if you know where to look. Local newspapers, for instance, often extend complimentary or reduced-rate opportunities to local businesses. Likewise, platforms like Google My Business and Yelp offer noteworthy options.
Engage With A Professional Marketing And Advertising Agency
To get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to your marketing dollars, consider working with a professional agency. A good agency will have a team of experienced pros who can work with you to develop an effective marketing plan that fits within your budget and scales accordingly.