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Advertising on a budget for small businesses
Many small businesses can't afford a mass advertising campaign. However, there are still ways that small businesses can work within their budgets to generate publicity for themselves and create a stronger customer base.
Coupons
Coupons help to draw in new customers who may have been thinking about making a purchase, but needed an incentive to buy. Coupons can also work well to bring in established customers to purchase more items than they would have purchased without a coupon. A coupon makes consumers feel good about spending more if they feel they are saving at the same time. Traditional styled paper coupons can be offered in newspapers, magazines, directly mailed or handed out, while Internet coupons can be offered on local websites or on your company website. No matter which style of coupons you choose to offer, coupons can be a win-win benefit for both the retailer and the customer.
Local sports teams
Sponsoring a local sports team is a great way to reach out to the community while attracting potential customers. School sports teams, local minor leagues or recreational sports teams can benefit from a sponsor who may be able to provide uniforms, equipment, snacks or refreshments. By coordinating your advertising with your chosen sponsor item, you can establish recognition with the very people who may frequent your business. You could have your company logo on team shirts or display team photos and plaques in your store. By supporting local community teams, you are creating a customer base that will be more likely to choose your business over a competitor because they respect your support.
Giveaways
The words "free gift" always sparks the interest of consumers. You can draw  in new and current customers by promoting a free gift with a purchase. You can specify a minimum purchase to qualify for the free item, encouraging customers to spend more money. It can be as simple as "Buy $10 worth of merchandise or services, and get a free gift" or "Buy $50 worth and pick from two or three free gifts." The free gift can be an item current stocked or a specialized gift ordered just for the occasion. The possibilities are endless and customers will appreciate their free item.
Referrals
Another great way to increase your business inexpensively is to offer current customers a reward for referrals. You could offer a discount or money back on merchandise or services to anyone who brings in a new customer. This encourages current customers to pitch your company for you, saving you time and money. You could even offer the new and current customer a referral reward or incentive increasing the likelihood of both returning to you for future purchases. By offering both parties something, you will also boost your chances that they both will continue to direct friends, family and neighbors to your business.
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Social media jargon
 Have you ever been confused by what you're reading on social media? With so many companies today using the Internet and social media platforms to promote or advertise their business, understanding the social media jargon is key to success in this technological medium.
Here's a list of some commonly used words and phrases found on social network sites and the Internet:
- Avatars—A graphic or icon used to represent a person in an online instant message or chat, or in social media or networking platforms and games.
- Blogs—A regularly updated online diary or webpage. Many blogs are sites dedicated to expressing the views or knowledge of the person writing them.
- Chat—A conversation on a website between two or more people that happens almost in real time.
- Friends/Followers/Fan—On social networking sites, contacts or people who are linked to your profile or website. Most sites allow you to accept the follower or friend or not.
- Groups—Usually set up in social networking sites like Facebook, groups allow people to "join" groups based on interests, activities or values. Most sites allow users to invite others to join a particular group.
- Invite—Invitations sent by a person to another person or group either through a posted message or e-mail encouraging them to follow you on a social platform or join a group.
 Like—A clickable icon often found on social media platforms that allow people to click on to show that they "like" an article, a comment or post. - Post—A text, picture or video on a social network, blog or website.
- Profile—Information that you provide about yourself when signing up for a social networking site. It usually includes a picture, basic information and a "blurb" about yourself. Many people also include personal and business interests as a means to further their social networking.
- Social media—The term for the tools and platforms people use to publish, converse and share content online. This would include social websites, blogs, photos, podcasts and web videos.
- Social networking—These are online sites where users can create profiles and socialize with others according to interests, activities, businesses or personal relationships using social media tools.
- Tags—Keywords that are attached to a post, bookmark, photo or similar content so you and others can find them easily through online searches.
- Twitter/Tweet—Twitter is a blogging service that allows people to type in short messages of 140 characters or less or click on a status update that can be read by people following them. An individual message or status update is often referred to as a "tweet."
- Wall—Used mostly on social network sites or blogs, a wall is a page of messages found on everyone's profile page, fan page or group page. This is where visitors can leave a message for everyone to see.
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Employee outings
All Seasons Communications' employees enjoy a
company outing at C.J. Barrymore's Amusement Park. |
Company outings can help to foster better employee/employer relationships. Recognizing employees for their hard work helps to improve morale and motivate production. Company outings don't have to break the budget to be successful, they just have to offer employees an atmosphere to unwind, socialize and enjoy company appreciation.
Some ideas for employee outings:
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Backyard/parking lot barbecue
Depending on the number of employees, you can have a local barbeque cater in the food or if it's a small gathering, find someone willing to bring in a grill and cook. The event may also be set up as a potluck picnic with everyone bringing a dish to share. Have employees bring in lawn chairs if needed and some outdoor games to play. You could even have prizes for games or contests to encourage employee participation. Employees will love the outdoor atmosphere and the fact that they don't have to spend time driving to another location.
Sporting Events
Most local sports teams offer group discounts, so why not take your staff to a baseball game in the summer or basketball game in the winter? If tickets to your local professional team are too expensive, try getting tickets to a minor league or college team sporting event. Call ahead to the stadium or arena to find out what discounts and programs they offer for groups. Often you will find attending a game during a weekday will save you money on tickets, allowing you to offer vouchers or tickets that employees can use to purchase food and beverages.
Volunteering
Large companies will often sponsor or donate to a local or national charity, for those with smaller budgets why not have a volunteer day for employees? Ask your staff which charities or causes they would like to support so that you can plan events that they will be emotionally invested. You can also look for events that are already planned and volunteer your staff to take part: animal adoptions or toy drives, for example. By offering a "paid to volunteer" work day, employees will enjoy being out of the office and feel good about donating their time for worthy causes.
Amusement Parks
Create a fun-filled day for employees by arranging an amusement park outing. You can offer employees the opportunity to bring a family member. This gives both employees and their family members a chance to meet and greet in a fun, casual atmosphere. Be sure to contact a local amusement park and inquire about corporate discounts. Most parks will give a discount if you purchase a set number of tickets for a reduced rate. Depending on the number of people, you could also arrange for transportation via a bus rental to save on the costs of everyone driving themselves individually. |
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