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How To Promote Your Business On An Extremely Tight Budget!

How To Promote Your Business On An Extremely Tight Budget!

Ever wonder “how” or “why” it is, that a staggering 80% of all small business owners and or service providers (sadly) don’t typically make it past the first 18 months or so!

And by the fifth year (60 months) of their storied (or not so) storied existence, a staggering 88% of them will have officially bit the dust! Pretty scary, isn’t it?

And more times than not, their major road block is simply a lack of new cash! Translated, they’ve got way more consistently going out the door, than they have consistently coming in!

That’s “why” it simply behooves you to no end entrepreneur, to learn “how to” promote your business, product and or service, especially if you don’t have fortune 500 start up money and or fortune 500 hundred corporate clout of any kind!

But rest assured, that long before the day their Titanic actually sinks, there will have been plenty of holes in their foundation, and blatantly obvious warning signs to indicate the day of reckoning, was surely just around the next corner! If not even sooner!

The remainder of this post will focus on an incredibly simple, yet creative (non techie) way to effectively promote your business, product and or service. Especially when writing big checks, simply isn’t an option.

“How To” Promote Your Business, Product And Or Service When Simply Writing Big Checks Isn’t An Option!

One of the absolute best ways for any cash starved (struggling) small business owner and or service provider to preserve their extremely limited cash, is by (strategic) resource sharing with other like minded entrepreneurs.

To simply call this particular type of (proven marketing) arrangement a joint venture and or strategic alliance of some kind, robs it of it’s overall (potential) real long term profit possibilities! Because typically, (certainly) not always! But in most common JV arrangements of some kind, neither party involved, is necessarily dependent of the other one to survive!

But here, (for our specific marketing) explanation purposes, think of this type of battlefield tested strategic resource alliance arrangement as (similar) to the exact same type of co- dependent relationship between a seeing eye dog for the blind and the blind person themselves!

Obviously, to a certain extent the dog supplies eyes (for the most part) to the blind human and the human’s need for this particular dog, prevents the dog from being put down!

So both parties rely heavily on the other’s strength! And to a certain degree, neither can do as well without the other!

Effective Strategic Resource Sharing Arrangements Can And Will Make Both Businesses More Profitable!

Take this first really simple (straight forward) example. Suppose your local pet store business is clearly showing signs of running out of steam! For any number of reasons, like a rather slow moving and growing local and national economy! Which means once again your overall annual gross sales (steadily) continue to be on a slow decline.

(With unfortunately, no end in,in sight!)

So you could desperately use a fresh marketing shot in the arm, to say the least. On the other hand, you recently came across this business card of a local (brand new) one person solo-preneur start up “Pet grooming” service provider.

So you call this local entrepreneur up and quickly discover (that) for the most part this ambitious solo-preneur currently works out of their home, which in reality is their (apartment) and does a lot of  house calls!

Which means they do a lot of driving all over the city and slightly beyond, in order to service their (snails pace) growing customer/client base.

But with the price of gas constantly creeping up (plus added to the fact), they have an older car. And current “Penny Saver” and local business card display ad rates in the major newspaper(s) constantly creeping up! Their already razor thin gross profit margins are quickly being systematically eaten up by the ever increasing cost to do business! “What to do?”

So you quickly propose, (“what if”) they simply set up shop in your store!Huh? And by doing so, first of all, they’ll automatically cut way down on their ever increasing gas bill!

Which also means, they will no longer have to struggle with reluctantly having to raise their prices, in order to cover their ever increasing costs to do business!

And now, they won’t have to spend nearly as much on those outrageously expensive display and business card size ads in the local “Penny Saver” and or local newspaper business service directory section(s.)

 Lots Of Times Simply By Strategically Adding Additional Services To Your Long Term Marketing Mix Can Be Extremely Profitable!

(Don’t You Agree?)

Plus, since you’ve already got a built in daily in store walk in customer base established, they will no longer have to bounce all over the place and wait in no man’s land, until their next customer/client calls!

But here’s the other really cool part! Your business now has an additional (incredibly popular) service, that you can market to both your local twitter and Facebook followers (and of course) your opt in email list as well!

And since your proposal saves them a mini upfront out of pocket fortune, on their traditional front end advertising costs. You’re merely asking for 30% of their front end gross profit per customer.

Because (as you so skillfully ) pointed out to them. They get to keep 100% of any future referrals your customer may send them, and you make a house call to those new first time customers! Meaning, as long as they didn’t service them initially inside your Pet store, they get to keep 100% of that first sale, minus any upfront cost they may incur, in order to service them.

It’s all gravy, minus any of their other normal costs, like driving to see the client and any supplies and or other products or services they may need in order to properly service that particular client.

You invite them to put a pencil to your proposal, in order for them to (hopefully) see “how” and “why” what you’re proposing makes total economic sense for both of you!

Plus, you also suggest that you both start systematically cross promoting each other by giving each others customers your time sensitive VIP discount coupons, after their very first purchase they make from either of you.

So in other words, after one of your in store (walk in customers) makes any kind of purchase, they automatically get a time sensitive (meaning date stamp) is written on the coupon and they have X amount of days to set an appointment, in order to save X% off of your “brand new” in store pet grooming service!

And likewise, any time the “pet groomer” does a referral client for the very firs time, that was not originally an in store customer of yours, they’ll hand them a time sensitive (date stamp) “VIP new customer only” discount coupon, that entitles them to X% their very first purchase at your store.

And that’s “how” the two of you will scratch each others back! In part you’ll discover a couple of more incredibly simple ways to make a proven concept like this work! Including a real life example, of a major fortune 500 company, that actually started out using this very concept! So yo definitely wanna stayed tuned for that!

In the meantime, hopefully you can see (or you’re starting to), “how to” promote your business, especially when your traditional ad/marketing budget, is extremely tight! You can right?

Now as is customary during this part of our show.

Please share your extremely valuable comments (in the comments section below) that you can apply to your business, product or service in the next 30 days or less!

As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Google Plus or tweet this.Thanks!

And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by at least 25% in the next 90 days or less.

And help you master your Effective communication in marketing skills.(No matter what your particular Niche marketing market is.)It’s a $97 dollar value and it’s free!

15 Responses to How To Promote Your Business On An Extremely Tight Budget!
  1. I really enjoyed all of the information in your article. Many times people use the excuse they can’t afford to promote themselves and this article just proves that notion wrong.

    Thank you for confirming that !
    Becky W recently posted…Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace Book Tour |Excerpt |Giveaway (ends 6/5)My Profile

    • You’re very welcome Becky!

      One thing is definitely for sure,no serious temporarily cash strapped entrepreneur,
      ever let a lack of temporary cash prevent them from ultimately finding a way!LOL!

      Again I sincerely apologize for the extremely late reply, but I just recently found your two
      comments!LOL!

      I kept seeing the notices that I had comments I needed to reply to, but every time I
      checked, I couldn’t find any I hadn’t replied to yet!

      Anyway, thanks for stopping by sharing your extremely valuable thoughts!
      They’re always welcome and greatly appreciated!
      Mark Newsome recently posted…Three All Too Common Internet Marketing Mistakes Far Too Many Entrepreneurs Make!Part ThreeMy Profile

  2. Good idea, Mark, and certainly worth considering! We all know that masterminding is a great idea, and this sounds like taking it to a new level. Two individuals or businesses with similar yet not the same goals, who work well together and complement one another.
    Willena Flewelling recently posted…Birthday BoyMy Profile

  3. Hello Mark, I loved this article and came into the year with a few business partners in mind.. Great share my friend! You always give so much value here.. Have a great week.. Chery :))
    Chery Schmidt recently posted…4 Tips To Help Develop Better Work Habits For Online SuccessMy Profile

  4. Thanks for sharing your insights in such an easy-to-understand and practical manner. I am a business owner. We’ve been around for 15 months. We’re still doing well, but I recognize that without constant marketing, we could very easy “bite the dust,” as you say.
    Zach recently posted…The Legal Rights of Parents of Free-Range KidsMy Profile

    • And you know that’s definitely the truth Zach!
      In fact, talk about an ever expanding marketplace!

      Each year “how” many new jacks (recently passed the bar exam) newbie
      law professional enter the fray?

      And guess “who’s” bacon they’re after Zach?LOL!

      You got that right!

      So there is always something that must be done or else someone else is definitely
      (if nothing),will attempt to do it!LOL!

      So it may as well be us!LOL! Gotta get back to work!
      Mark Newsome recently posted…How To Promote Your Business On An Extremely Tight Budget!My Profile

  5. I get the benefit of alliances Mark, unfortunately trusting others is an area I will admit is a real weakness for me. I’ve just been burned so many times by people not fulfilling their commitment that even with the potential benefits of an alliance I’d be very reluctant to make a long-term commitment. To be completely fair though, I also recognize that part of this issue is that I am a Grade A workaholic so that in itself makes it difficult in the expectations department. That said, from this and other ideas you’ve shared I can see opportunities for partnerships, though the direction I’m thinking about heading is setting up my own affiliate program for the online courses I’m creating. You always provide a wealth of inspiration my friend!
    Marquita Herald recently posted…The Paradox of Self-Acceptance vs. Self-ImprovemetMy Profile

    • Awesome M!

      And I definitely hear about far too many dropping the ball!

      Two things!

      1.) First and foremost: As you may or may not currently be aware, I’m told by several
      incredibly reputable sources, one source actually being a big name online guru no less!LOL!

      On average (only!) a staggering two percent of your total registered (so called) affiliates will ever do
      little if anything long term!

      In terms of consistently producing targeted traffic for you and or
      producing any actual sales!

      And this particular guru also explained, that the only reason why
      their current affiliate programs were worth a nickel,
      is because he literally has tens of thousands of registered “do nothing” for the most part affiliates!LOL!!

      Otherwise, he readily admits they wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans, in terms of producing a
      reliable income!

      2.) Second point; Which is more up your and my creative alley!

      If it makes any type of sense at all to explore the possibilities of doing any type of
      either a JV and or cross promotional co-venture of some kind.

      Try to set them up in such a way, that they’re not following through, doesn’t hurt your cause!

      For ex: if you can get them to agree to put your lead capture page address (or wherever) you’d like
      to send their traffic, on the back side of their flyers!

      And or on the back of their business cards! That’s even better!

      If need be, offer to even pay half the cost in order to get them to do so!

      Now, “who” really cares if they don’t actively and aggressively pass out their business cards
      and or place one inside the bag of every purchaser’s bag, just before they exit their store!

      The bottom line is, no matter what, you’ll still be capturing some free eyeballs at some point,
      for literally pennies on the dollar!

      That’s the sort of things you might at least explore! And realistically speaking,
      you’ll probably need 5-10 of them or more, to at least make it semi worthwhile long term!

      But no matter “what” your message will be in front of your target group!LOL!

      That’s “how” you sort of strategically leverage the slackers!LOL!
      Mark Newsome recently posted…How To Promote Your Business On An Extremely Tight Budget!My Profile

  6. Mark you clearly taught so well on this topic and anyone can understand it. Many times when starting new businesses are run on a small budget and what you share here makes a lot of sense. Besides having a small budget, this makes it easier for marketing when people work as a team/ joint venture. I like the ideas you raised and I have to work on how to implement this on my business. Thanks for the great share.
    Siphosith recently posted…Using WordPress SEO Plugin by Yoast Doesn’t Have To Be HardMy Profile

    • Thank you so much for your extremely kind words Siphosith!

      They are so greatly appreciated! Seeing “how” you are such a fantastic teaher!

      I’d be willing to bet that if you were to start teaching (either) free or extremely low
      priced offline (lead generating) classes on successful Internet marketing techniques & strategies
      for small business owners and service providers etc.

      You would probably start to attract your ideal JV partners and or cross promotion partners
      etc.

      Because your subject matter would initially draw them in, then you could sift & sort
      until uncovered a few ideal potential JV partners and or sell some of your affiliate products
      and services to them.

      Things like hosting, autoresponders or themes or find a reliable source that actually builds
      state of the art, mobile responsive WordPress websites and or blogs etc.

      And just become their affiliate and refer your student customers to them for an
      affiliate commission of some kind.

      I’ll bet you’d do just fine!LOL!Thanks for stopping by and sharing your
      extremely valuable thoughts!

      They are always welcome and so greatly appreciated!
      Mark Newsome recently posted…How To Promote Your Business On An Extremely Tight Budget!My Profile

  7. Hi Mark,

    I started my business without hardly any money at all, and I should have created some joint ventures. I do have some joint ventures now though, and it works great. A different thing that works great on an extremely tight budget is to join forces with a sports team (at least here in Norway). They need all the help they can get, and they have a lot of fans and people that follow them. This is great for you.

    • What an awesome suggestion Jens!

      Thanks! It makes perfect economic sense too!

      BTW, “what” type of business, product and or service do you currently have?

      It sounds like you are a real go getter! Because that’s exactly “what’s” needed and then some!

      So do you currently have (or do you) plan or starting any type of periodic newsletter (and or)
      online ezine of any kind?

      An do you or are you currently building any type of ongoing opt email follow up series of any kind?

      Now or in the not so distant future? Great job Jens!

      And thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your real real world insights!

      They are always welcome and greatly appreciated!

      BTW, “what” if any,is your current blog address? I’d really love to stop
      by and learn a few things!LOL!
      Mark Newsome recently posted…How To Promote Your Business On An Extremely Tight Budget!My Profile

      • Hey Mark,

        Thanks for your questions, I’ll try to answer all of them.

        I currently don’t have an online business, but I am a speaker and a consultant for various businesses. And, I’m the head of marketing at a car dealership (Volvo). I’m mostly blogging about my experience with marketing, business and writing (writing fiction).

        I am using Postmatic for my blog, so at the moment that’s how people subscribe and how I send a newsletter. You can subscribe in the sidebar (my blog is slymarketing.com), it would be awesome if you visit and give me feedback on my writing. Remember, English is not my first language 🙂

        I have launched a Vegetarian festival in Norway. I launched it without a business model, so that’s something I need to figure out.


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