Here’s a recent email I received from James Kenny who is a small business owner in the UK:

“Hi Sean

I attended a seminar from you about 3 years ago and as you say it was awesome! So glad that you have changed your site to a blog – means we can all get better access to your great materials!

I’ve got a question for you. I’ve recently started a brand new company and need some low cost/no cost marketing advice - what would you tell me to do if I were paying for your services?!!!

Cheeky I know!

Thanks for all that you do

James Kenny

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Here are my thoughts on this…

Cheeky is the right word!

However, if you don’t ask…

Here are some quick tips:

1. Ask your current clients from your existing business

Ask them in a non-threatening way – “Hi John, I’ve just started a new company and wondered if you know of anyone who would be interested in ABC?”

With this approach you get to introduce your products and services to them as though they are going to refer people to you when you get to sell and market to them and ask for referrals at the same time!

Neat huh?

2. Strike up some joint ventures

Who has already got a relationship with the customers that you want to market to?

Make sure they are in a non competing market/product.

So for example: If I were offering a new type of long endurance battery, I might want to try some joint ventures with toy shops etc

Then, ask the owner of the business to strike up some sort of turnover/profit share agreement.

It costs you nothing and you can both make a few bob.

3. Send out postcards

By far the most cost effective direct mailing strategy is to send out postcards.

They get read, are to the point and don’t take up a lot of time to read.

You can rent a list of go down the yellow pages.

I hope those are of use?

Of course I could go into greater detail with each of these and I’ve got lots more but you WOULD have to pay me for those!

Thanks again and happy marketing

Sean

Sean McPheat – Marketing Consultant & Marketing Expert