How can I better market my business without spending too much money?

Question

I am a welder and a fabricator that is trying to better market my business. We are a manufacturing facility that makes equipment used in the same industry, specifically, metal forming. We rae not a part of this huge Bike builder boom and really hate to be assocatied with it. I am trying to market this business a little more on the national and global perspective. Ebay has been very good to us and it would be great if there was another sight like it we would be able to sell on as well.

Answer 1

If a current customer refers your services to someone and they begin to use your services based on the referral, offer the client a referral discount on their next order or a small bonus.

The power of word of mouth is astounding and most clients would be willing to spread the good word if there is a possibility of some compensation.

Answer 2

Have you thought about pay per click programs? The two biggest, I think, are Yahoo! and Google

A few free resources – check out the sources box for links:

1) Create a blog pertaining to your field

2) Use Yahoo! Local & Yahoo! Groups – Be sure to read the TOS for each one!

3) Write articles pertaining to your field and/or expertise.

4) Advertise on Craiglist

Also, consider signing up for an affiliate program. These programs enable you to advertise on other's sites (your affiliates) and once a sale is made to you, your affiliates & the program are paid a commission.

I listed a few handy sites & articles relating to marketing, promotion & advertising. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* 301 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Ideas: From America's Most Innovative Small Companies by Sam Decker
* Off The Wall Marketing Ideas: Jumpstart Your Sales without Busting Your Budget by Nancy Michaels, Debbi J. Karpowicz
* Guerrilla Marketing for Free: Dozens of No-Cost Tactics to Promote Your Business and Energize Your Profits by Jay Conrad Levinson
* Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

I would suggest you have a website that people can go to. You can then advertise this website on Yahoo or any of the other search engines. People can be directed to your website through the keywords that you choose, ie. "metal forming", that are specific to your business, when they type these words into their search engines. This is done with a pay-per-click service. You can determine the cost per click that you are willing to pay as well as your daily budget. You can also use newspapers, fliers, magazines, etc. On the internet, you can specifically advertise on e-zines that are related to your business. You could incorporate a catalogue of your products for sale on your website as well.

Answer 4

I guess I don't understand your business - what exactly are you selling on ebay? Maybe post a couple of sample (sold) listings?

Who are your best (ideal) customers? Have you looked for a mailing list of those people (there are usually lists for every industry, even tiny niches in big industries).

Your best customers are past customers - you keep their names in a mailing list and send them followup offers, right?

Referrals are your second best source - make it explicit in all your communicaitons that "our customers come from referrals, and we appreciate referrals, and this month we want to recognize Joe Blow who referred Jane Doe and Bob Smith, thanks Joe your gift is on the way.... who else wants to get a nice gift and tell your friends about us?"

Good luck,
Scott

Answer 5

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