Five Simple Ways To Trim Marketing Costs

This article originally appeared on The Real Estate Marketing Guru...

My perception is that there are two main reasons small business owners don't INVEST more effort/energy/money into marketing. (Please correct me if I'm wrong) Small business owners don't have the time/resources and they don't have the budget. For many, a marketing budget doesn't exist due to all of the other expenses that come along with building a business, and is often an afterthought.  Will I make payroll, all the overhead expenses and be able to pay myself too? 

Can't market a business that's out of business because expenses aren't paid, right? There are people counting on me, but something's gotta give. But...can't stay in business if you don't budget for marketing and no one knows your product exists, it's a pickle we all run into.  

I think we can agree that marketing is important. Super important! Not having a marketing plan is like not feeding your business. A matter of fact, its like starving your business! This economy calls for getting more out of your marketing than ever before. Here are five easy ways to market your business for little or no money.

1. Utilize social media outlets that are free like FaceBook, Twitter, Four Square and Linked In. Don't forget about Google+. I've read many reports saying that using Google+ does help your search engine results.
2. Make sure you have a blog and that you utilize it and keep the content fresh. Many people use the excuses; I don't have time and I don't know what to write about. Remember, what is obvious about your business to YOU, isn't at all the case with the general public. Put a list together a list frequently asked questions in your business and blog about the answers to those questions. If you have a customer service department, spending time listening in on those calls is not only very eye opening, it's helpful for creating a list of FAQ's to blog about.
3. Cut way down on mailing costs by using a mail house or getting a bulk permit. I recommend staying out of the mail business unless you know what your doing.  It's much easier and better to  utilize the services of a company that can it print and mail for you. If you are paying first class postage rates on any of your mailings, your NEED to contact a mail house and get a quote.
4. Outsource easy tasks like folding fliers and labeling postcards/envelopes to a company with a machine that accomplishes the same tasks. It likely cost much less than paying an employee by the hour to do what a machine can do in minutes.
5. Connect with a printing company that offers design services. It cost much less than having an employee on staff. It costs more per hour, but the saving are huge when you consider the payroll expenses of a full or part time person.  Your renting an employee you don't need all the time from someone else.  It's a HUGE savings.  Professional designers usually cost about $75/hr. and the finished product is always so much nicer.

This is only five of many easy things you can do to make your 2012 more successful with less financial burden. I'm pretty sure that means more profit!

There are more tips to come, be on the look out, this is part of a series of articles. OR Make sure you see you see the complete series of blog posts on how to lower marketing costs by registering HERE  There are always lots of helpful marketing tips and tricks...good information.   It's so much easier than having to visit the blog, the blog comes to you when you register below.  NO spam...not ever. If you feel like it isn't valuable, there is an "unsubscribe link" at the bottom of every email we send. It's super easy to "opt out" if you change your mind.