Good Marketing Tips?

[RedSkyMedia]

Hi. I'm just looking for new ways of marketing. I'm a sole trader & am working on a number of projects so don't really have the time to do all my own marketing either by myself or through my contacts. I'm not in a position to employ anyone just yet either- I'm mainly looking for people to help sell tickets for events & am thinking about the freelancer websites- Freelancers UK & peopleperhour.com are two I know of- anyone have any experience with them or know of others which are any good? I'm also looking at more offline marketing- brochures, leaflets etc. Just wanting some feedback on what techniques other people have had the most success with.

 

[eventdomain]

My website specialises in Event marketing, pm me to discuss this further.

 

[redtreeland]

do you have a website you're looking to promote?

 

[Kimberly Mears]

Hey there.

A couple questions before I feedback on ideas. What type of event are the tickets that you're trying to sell for? Who are you targeting to purchase the tickets?

A friend also used part-time freelance help to pass out fliers and such at relevant events upon launch. A word of caution though, while this may seem a bit more cost effective than hiring an expert to consult, he found the opposite to be true. It took a lot of his time, energy and money to organise all the various materials and schedules of the individuals who would pass out these fliers and, ultimately, he achieved limited results.

Thereafter, he paid £300 to a consultant for a few hours of their time to ensure his plan was on the right path and achieved much better success with better targeted tactics thereafter.

I understand that your firm is cash poor, but perhaps a best first step would be to schedule a quick consult by phone or in person with an independent marketing consultant. Many offer a one hour consult free of charge. I don't know of anyone in Leeds, but I'm sure there must be someone in your market who would be willing to set up a first meeting to share a bit of advice.

My best,
K

 

[a2bdistribution]

Hi there.

We are A2BDistribution we are a leaflet & flyer distribution company based in north west.

We cover the lancashire area and have great prices and a 5* service if you consider distribution in the future please bear us in mind.

Good luck

 

[Mike W]

Depending on budget, outsourcing to people who know what they're doing (and do stuff for you) is often the best thing.

That way, you can even reduce your thinking time considerably.

if I can help, let me know.

Regards

Mike

 

[sbusunessmarketer]

Hey there.

A friend also used part-time freelance help to pass out fliers and such at relevant events upon launch. A word of caution though, while this may seem a bit more cost effective than hiring an expert to consult, he found the opposite to be true. It took a lot of his time, energy and money to organise all the various materials and schedules of the individuals who would pass out these fliers and, ultimately, he achieved limited results.

Thereafter, he paid £300 to a consultant for a few hours of their time to ensure his plan was on the right path and achieved much better success with better targeted tactics thereafter.

K

What K Says is very true Although you may think it is a cheaper way to market, it is likely to ba a false economy.
Many people look at marketing and say I only have a budget of £****** and set about spending that on marketing and the cost per lead is high.

By Paying a consultant you may only spend half your money on actual marketing but get two or three times the response and your leads/customers cost a fraction of the price, if you went out independently.

The result being you paid less on actual marketing cost but get a larger response.

A Consultant will help you look at demographics and geographics, so you will target your market more effectively.

Just take care before parting with yourhard earned cash


Nic

 

[SusanBryant]

Hi There,

The first place to think of when you're looking to market a product is who your target market is; the above posters are absolutely right, targeted marketing will work considerably more effectively that an unspecified campaign. How can you market to every single person?

I always find it helps me to write a profile of my target market - Eg. a 40 year old male, who runs a small but expanding business. He spends time on LinkedIn, but little time on Facebook and Twitter. He reads the local paper everyday etc etc etc. This might seem a little 'wacky' but it really helps me to get a feel for who I am marketing to.

I hope that helps,

Susan

 

[Shirish]

Have you tried using a Virtual Assistant? Can be quite helpful and time saving on the online side of marketing.

We regularly use People Per Hour and one issue we have found is finding reliable suppliers. Elance.com is another option...

 

[Probafix]

A simple guide to marketing, strategic business planning, advertising and promotion and sales lead generation, for small UK businesses especially. With tips and techniques for advertising and PR, for non-marketing managers, and for marketing and advertising professionals too; this is marketing and advertising made simple. Also some easy tips on website design, internet advertising and marketing.

 

[johnrobertusa]

Hi,
There are free press release submission places on the Web.Press releases allow you to (a) attract media attention; (b) get more back links to your website without sending each website an email request;and (c) get more visibility especially if your press release gets in Google News or Yahoo News.

 

[Sahail]

The freelance websites are good. I'm a freelance writer and the very best site for freelancers is GURU. This is simply because they protect your money, and that is for both sides of the agreement.

Funds are placed in Escrow, so the employer deposits money and brings confidence to the deal, but does not have to release it until they are happy with the work.

Saves a lot of hassle, and is great for freelance marketing content writers like me, who have been scammed in the past with no payment.

Maybe you could find someone there. they don't just focus on writers...

 

[CraigieDD]

Hi. I'm just looking for new ways of marketing. I'm a sole trader & am working on a number ...... ood? I'm also looking at more offline marketing- brochures, leaflets etc. Just wanting some feedback on what techniques other people have had the most success with.

See my sig for tips... ;-)

 

[Sahail]

The idea of a 'marketing mix' is important. The more you do on many different channels the better. Leaflets and brochures that are well written have a considerable impact whatever the business. People like the physical marketing aspect.

And besides, the new Google is killing off SEO anyway. People will say this isn't the case, but keywords will not work soon...

 

Well in simple terms as a first stage you should work out exactly who you are targeting and what their aspirations, and needs and wants in life are likely to be. Then look at what media they are most likely to connect with.

After you have done all that then look at design be it on or off line.

Any agency who goes straight to design and message stage is not worth paying a penny. The key to marketing success is careful research-correct strategy and being able to monitor results.

 

"Leaflets and brochures that are well written have a considerable impact whatever the business. People like the physical marketing aspect."

I'd agree with that 100% plus the internet is not what it is often talked up to be in my opinion.

 

"The more you do on many different channels the better"

Not always, some people simply don't engage with some channels.

As an ex product manager the "blunderbust approach" is never good, particularly not if you are trying to make sure every £1 of spend pays -ROI analysis.

Youd be better to identify one channel taht your particular atrget engages with most an dpute evrything into that rather than thinking I must use every channel.

Many people may disagree but Im afraid they are wrong.