Marketing on the cheap ? Is it possible
Marketing on the cheap ? Is it possible
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djt100

Original Poster:

1,744 posts

216 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Hi, this is a new area for me to post in, so be gentle.

I've recently changed jobs and am setting up a new area in an existing business. The business will / does have some clients in the area I will be working on but currently does very little marketing; working on word of mouth. However this is a new area of the business so no Word of month yet. So is there a cheapish way to put yourself out there? any recommendations.

If it helps its going to be selling a ERP package by a well known company in the north of england


Dejay1788

1,314 posts

160 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Have you looked into using Social Media? That is currently our number 1 source of traffic and doesn't cost us a penny.

You could also try Ad Words, but if you are not experienced with it you could spend a lot more money than you recoup in sales.

jammy_basturd

29,778 posts

243 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Who are your customers? Where are they (on the end of a phone, conferences, LinkedIn, etc)?

djt100

Original Poster:

1,744 posts

216 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Dejay1788 said:
Have you looked into using Social Media? That is currently our number 1 source of traffic and doesn't cost us a penny.

You could also try Ad Words, but if you are not experienced with it you could spend a lot more money than you recoup in sales.
How does that work ? facebook, etc all want money for business pages ? be interest to see

djt100

Original Poster:

1,744 posts

216 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
jammy_basturd said:
Who are your customers? Where are they (on the end of a phone, conferences, LinkedIn, etc)?
Out customers would be SME's with a turnover £1-100m and a staff of say 15 upto 200.

As for where they are thats a good question I can not answer, I've always worked on the other side of the coin in this business and this part is only a small bit of my role but at the end of the day I'm going to be getting commision so the more sales i can get the more money i will earn!

Dejay1788

1,314 posts

160 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
djt100 said:
How does that work ? facebook, etc all want money for business pages ? be interest to see
We run our business page on twitter and Facebook without spending anything, we've built up a brand and a following on each platform, not to mention Instagram and Pinterest by advertising, building connections and posting great content.


jammy_basturd

29,778 posts

243 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Well then that's the first thing I would say you need to find out. No point spending time and energy in a Facebook page or LinkedIn networking if the people who will be buying your product are searching on Google. You also need to find out who you are selling to. Is it C level? Will your target companies have a C level, or will the MD do major purchases like this.

Unfortunately, I imagine, if you are selling enterprise level software you're going to find it difficult to do marketing on the cheap. However, people buy from people, so find out what events and conferences your prospective clients frequent, get yourself along to them and introduce yourself. Do it this way and you'll only need a well designed website, a business card and maybe some well packaged case studies.

djt100

Original Poster:

1,744 posts

216 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
jammy_basturd said:
Well then that's the first thing I would say you need to find out. No point spending time and energy in a Facebook page or LinkedIn networking if the people who will be buying your product are searching on Google. You also need to find out who you are selling to. Is it C level? Will your target companies have a C level, or will the MD do major purchases like this.

Unfortunately, I imagine, if you are selling enterprise level software you're going to find it difficult to do marketing on the cheap. However, people buy from people, so find out what events and conferences your prospective clients frequent, get yourself along to them and introduce yourself. Do it this way and you'll only need a well designed website, a business card and maybe some well packaged case studies.
Now that last bit is a good idea, thanks

Mobile Chicane

22,029 posts

243 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Start by researching your existing customers: why did they buy from you? Who else did they consider? What swung it in your favour?

Armed with this knowledge, draw up a 'hit list' of potential customers, that you a. want; b. can credibly service, and call them for a credentials presentation.

If rejected on the first attempt, keep in touch. A carefully written newsletter, containing case studies and product updates can be very effective, and in email format will cost next to nothing to produce.

There is absolutely no need to spend money on advertising or social media.