how do i promote a womans clothing store at a cheap price?

Question

So basically what i am asking is whats the cheapest way to promote a womans clothing store without spending a lot of money. Radio station and newspaper adds have rip off prices. If you guys have any suggestions let me know thx.

Answer 1

Mailing lists... we use them at my job and they work wonders. I personally use www.usps.com to send out postcards (but you can also send flyers, booklets, etc.)

Answer 2

First off, list prices on radio and newspaper advertising are pure fiction. Rest assured that you can get at least 35% off those prices with a little back-and-forth. I've been on both sides of the negotiation.

Now then. The way to promote stuff has its roots in the grand triumvirate of marketing plans: time, money, and brainpower. Some balance of all of these investments will come together to create your advertising, marketing, promotions, and indeed selling propositions, business plan, and future.

If I were you I'd go to half.com and order a copy of Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson. I was NOT easily sold on this book but it delivers. The companion book, Guerrilla Marketing for Free, includes additional material on minimal- or zero-cost promotion. The original book has plenty too, and I'd recommend it first.

Also on half.com you will transform your business life if you buy a copy of E-Myth Mastery (Michael Gerber.)

Clothing is *not* a simple business to break into, much less a voice-share in the marketplace, and in my experience most small clothing retailers are clowns. They don't know the first thing about what they're doing; they don't even know what exactly there is to know about. If you are interested in these two books, get them, and seek after wise ways in earnest, then you'll give it a good shot (for a combined cost of probably under $20 shipped) and may enjoy great success.

If this idea doesn't really grab you, then I'd also suggest another book which could ease your path wonderfully but you may not opt to try- Bankruptcy for Dummies.

Bankruptcy is a series of simple steps that require neither talent nor passion. Marketing isn't.

Answer 3

You have to think about several things:
1 - who is your target - is it a trendy botique or a bargain store?
2 how do you reach that target?
3 think of promotion in terms of reaching your target. A newspaper ad might not work unless you are trying to reach the masses. Radio with the right demographics might work - but it is cluttered... Public Radio is less expensive and has a great demographic... you just have to be creative in your copy.
4. There are many other ways to get the word out - is there a womens group that reaches your target? Can you offer them coupons or frequent buyer offers?
5. collect the names of the people who are already going to the store and offer them incentives to shop more often via an email newsletter.
Good luck!