In a perfect world, small business owners would have bottomless budgets. Unfortunately, the reality for most entrepreneurs is that they must carefully watch their finances. In order for small business owners to maximize the funds they have, The Suit says that "choosing the right marketing avenue is critical, especially for small businesses with small marketing budgets."
One of the most cost-efficient and effective marketing tools is a direct mailing list. Simple postcards or letters can be sent to any number of potential customers to alert them about sales, introduce special offers or just to let them know that a business is there.
"A company may have a superb product, but it still won't sell a thing unless potential customers can find out about it," explains the site.
According to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), the best way to maximize both budgets and reach is to think creatively. By adding outside-the-box approaches to the traditional techniques, businesses can potentially reach an entirely new set of consumers.
Some of the creative marketing ideas suggested by ASBTDC include referral programs, printed pens, promotional activities, community events, speaking engagements, signage outside a storefront and a recognizable slogan or logo. By adding a unique twist to any of these tactics, a small business can stand out among tough competition.