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One of the great advantages of marketing via the internet is that most of it is free to do – and the rest doesn’t have to cost much money either! However, while you can keep your cheque book in your pocket, there is still a cost attached (you knew there had to be a catch, didn’t you?).
The cost I’m talking about is your valuable time, both to learn how to do the various methods and also to put them into action.
Now, if your diary is full of client work, you will be in a position to pay someone to help you. (But please read Sam’s post ‘Why Cheap is not always cheerful’ before hiring!)
On the other hand, if your diary is less full than you’d like, you have time to get started with some DIY marketing!
Why should you market via the internet?
Apart from the cost-effectiveness there is the potential to reach a much wider audience of prospective clients, and most of your competitors are already there! They have already discovered that, whereas people used to pick up the Yellow Pages to look for suppliers, they’re now much more likely to use the internet. This is particularly true for B2B.
Just having a website is no longer enough; your business needs to develop its internet presence in other ways too. At a time when businesses are tightening their marketing belts, here are a few savvy marketer economy-beating ways to try:
Blogging – write posts for your own blog and comment on other people’s blogs too.
Social Networks – join the most appropriate for your profession and industry, be generous; share resources and information
Forums – join the most appropriate for your profession and industry; answer questions
Article submissions – show off your expertise and increase traffic to your website
Email Newsletters & Promotions* – build a relationship with your list by sharing tips.
Podcasting – if you don’t like writing, try talking! You can add the content to your blog and website.
(*This is the only E-marketing activity on the list where you need to spend anything – and it’s still very low-cost!)
No more excuses – get marketing!
About Louise
Louise Barnes-Johnston has been working in social media marketing since 2007 after realising that it was a powerful marketing tool which would enable her clients to raise the profile of their businesses on the internet, even when working to a limited budget. Her specialism is in researching social media practices; trying out the most effective online tools and then sharing the best of them with her clients.
