By Susan Landry

Tightening our belts – that’s what we’re all doing these days. Unfortunately, it’s not because we stuck to our New Year resolutions and dropped those few extra pounds. It’s because we’re smack dab in the middle of a recession, and most business owners are feeling the crunch.

Now more than ever, you need to ensure the highest return on your advertising dollars. As you weather this economic storm, stay afloat by focusing your efforts on these cost-effective marketing techniques.

1. Provide standout customer service. Word-of-mouth is arguably the most effective form of advertising, and it’s completely free! All it takes from you is a commitment to providing exemplary service to your most precious business assets – your customers. Continue to go the extra mile while other businesses are cutting back on value-added services. Quick tip: Give your customers an incentive to talk up your business by offering a discount or reward for every referral that results in a sale.

2. Write and publish online articles. By posting keyword-rich articles on your website, you can significantly improve your search engine rankings over time. And don’t forget to submit your articles to online directories as well. Published articles help you build your business credibility by establishing you as an expert in your field. Quick tip: Include a link to your website in your article’s resource box for an extra SEO benefit.

3. Get creative with your business cards. Chances are you’ve already got a whole stack of them, so why not put them to work? Utilize the blank space on the back of the card to provide people with valuable information (and give them a reason to hang on to it), such as the schedule for a local sports team.
Quick tip: Always hand out your business cards two at a time and encourage the recipient to pass the extra along to a friend or coworker.

4. Take advantage of cross-promotions. No matter what service you provide or product you sell, there’s another business that complements yours – and their client base is ripe for the picking. For instance, if you’re an event planner, connect with a local caterer to provide each other with referrals.

5. Market to prospects and customers via e-mail. Contact your prospects and existing customers directly by sending periodic e-mails about sales and special offers. Unlike postcards and other forms of direct mail, e-mail involves no printing costs or postage. And with today’s robust, user-friendly HTML e-mail programs, you can send eye-catching messages that are rich in vibrant colors and graphics.

6. Tap into the power of Web 2.0. Personal interaction with customers and fellow business owners is the new frontier of marketing. Swallow those feelings of intimidation and seize the day – there are numerous (free!) Web 2.0 tools at your disposal:

* Create a profile for your business on popular social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.
* Join online networking communities such as LinkedIn.
* Take your blog to the next level with an RSS feed, which is a news feed that provides your readers with frequently updated content.
* Get your name out there by participating in online forums and message boards related to your industry.

As you can see from these cost-effective marketing techniques, cutting back on your budget doesn’t have to mean losing your competitive edge.

Susan J. Landry, Marketing Copywriter
“Putting the Power of Persuasion Into Words”

http://www.susanlandry.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Landry