How many of us truly have a business plan? How many of us are still afraid of the internet? How many of us don't utilize the internet as they should? I am sure marketing dollars are tight for many of us. How do you target your marketing dollars. Keeping in mind, time is money. So how do you utilize your time and your money?
There are so many ideas and marketing strategies, even in a down market, when you don't have much money to use for marketing. In my opinion, I do believe that print advertising (not 100% dead) is out the door, that you can spend your money in better places.
I wanted to share three basic concepts that we might take for granted, and not utilize to our full potential. I was inspired to write this after reading Jay Beckingham's blog, "Rain Power" It's Awesome. Jay gave some good basic tips and talked about Googling yourself. I wanted to take this a step further.
3 Basic Concepts of Affordable Marketing
1. - Business Cards - Probably the cheapest way to advertise yourself or keep your name in front of other perspectives. Sure, you usually have to give that person your business card. I did write 2 informational blogs in regards to business cards, what they should look like, and how to utilize them by being creative.
But how about taking it a step further. If you write enough blogs, and or have a few different web sites/blog sites, and interact on the internet; how about just telling people to Google your name. I have talked about this in other marketing blogs and in my opinion, this could be a very powerful marketing tool. Not only powerful, but cheap. Sure, if you don't have a common name, this certainly helps. But even for those with a common name, if you write quality blogs and use some of the tips that Jay mentioned in his blog, you can sometimes pass those celebrity names. Overall, think about this, just telling a client to Google you. Or even write this on the back of your business card. I think it's a great way for a prospective client to get to know more about you.
2. - Testimonials - Now, I sometimes cringe while reading some testimonials, because I wonder if they are real. I actually saw someone copy someone else's testimonials. Yes, this actually happened. But what another great way to market yourself on your home pages or possibly to have a link on your business card, sharing some testimonials. Now, unfortunately, I can't give you my specific link to my testimonials on my blog page, because it's down for now. But people actually read these sometimes and it can help make a decision, if those testimonials sound sincere and real. Example : I just had a borrower call me yesterday, after having an issue with their current lender, and actually read my testimonials. What impressed her was that I seem to care, because someone wrote that I actually was on the phone with them until 11 pm, answering some questions. Showing that you care, without pushing it down someones throat, or harping on it, can and does work. PS... Video testimonials, which I wrote about a year ago, but I forgot to mention. Thanks to comments by Will and David, comments # 22 & 24.
3. - Internet marketing - Blogging & Social Networking - The basic concept here is having an internet presence. Knowing that 80% of the people that shop for homes and mortgages, first shop/search online. It doesn't mean that they make their final decision from searching the internet, but that it can play a large role in their final decision making process.
There are debates in blogging vs social networking, that blogging is dead, and that Twitter is the best way of doing business. I don't want to get into that debate. If you do want to hear a good topic on this, Jason Crouch and Ken Cook co-host a weekly radio show and talk about this stuff. Yesterday's talk show had Paul Chaney as a guest and they explored some good information. Social Media tricks & tips - (click here to hear yesterdays show)
Overall, I firmly believe that if you aren't actively blogging, that you are missing the boat. In many cases, the expense for this can be cheap, depending on what services you use. In my opinion, if you are new to Active Rain, AR is a great place and affordable to start your blogging with.
- Active Rain success stories -
2 posts on blogging -
Crash course on blogging
Blogging - short term and or long term?
UPDATE : Jeff Dowler wrote a very informative post : Social Media and your business - Tips, Strategies, and no nos...
PS. - And if you ever have any questions about Active Rain, starting a blog, or any thing else, please never hesitate to contact me. I will try my best in helping.
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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert
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Copyright © 2009 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc
Hi Jeff,
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What a great blog post, Jeff. Thanks for sharing these wonderful tips.
Regarding testimonials - I simply can't believe that someone would take another testimonial that is not their own. Shameful.
Kathy