AFFORDABLE MARKETING TOOLS FOR STARTUPS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

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photo credit:google.com
The internet and mobile phones have come to stay with us and the penetration of internet accessibility in developing economies like Nigeria is changing the way business is done with new entrepreneurs springing up every day.
One thing every business needs to grow and remain relevant is effective marketing. Marketing drives sales while sales keep business going.
Since funding is one challenge that confronts most startups and small business owners, having access to marketing tools that cost little or nothing will enable new and small business to move to the next level.
Here is a collection of some helpful Marketing tools:

1.Social Media Channels: A lot of startups are already present on one social media platform or the other. From Facebook to Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google plus et cetera. So most people have already established personal connections on the social media. All that is needed is creating targeted contents about the new or small business and sharing the information on your social media handles. You will be amazed at the level of reception and referrals your personal connections will generate for your business.
However, it is advisable to engage the services of a good content writer; if need be, to ensure that the desired result is achieved.

2.TeleMarketing: As at 1999, owning a telephone line in a third world country like Nigeria was a luxury only the rich enjoyed. But the story has changed because even a street beggar has a functional mobile telephone line in today’s Nigeria. According to figures available on the website of Nigerian Communication Commission, Nigeria has over 145 million active telephone lines. This means that millions of potential customers can be reached simultaneously using bulk SMS and Voice marketing. No matter the reservations some people have for these” unsolicited” messages. The fact remains that it is a cost-cutting tool for businesses especially startups and small businesses.Please do not shy away from “disturbing” phone users with your SMS until your business outgrows this form of marketing.

3.Blogging: If you cannot afford a website, start with a blog. Blogs are like mini websites. The most interesting thing is that creating a blog is absolutely free. So anybody can own a blog and anybody can become a blogger! If you can afford a website, then incorporate a blog into your website. With good write-ups spiced with relevant pictures and videos, you can carve a niche for your business.

4.Email Marketing: Emails are also affordable for marketing startups and small businesses. Online stores like Yudala, Jumia, Konga et cetera, understand this truth and they are maximizing this avenue to reach millions of potential customers. If it’s working for these promising online stores, it can also work for small businesses and startups. Email Marketing is a useful tool in promoting both goods and services.
With Email Marketing tools like Mail Chimp, small businesses and startups with less than 2,000 subscribers can perform tasks like designing email newsletters, sending and saving email templates, perform test to identify most suitable email technique, track the performance of email marketing efforts. This application allows small businesses to send up to 12,000 emails monthly at absolutely no cost. However, this app stops providing free services once a business records up to 2,000 subscribers.

5.INSTAPAGE: This is an application that allows marketers to create and design functional landing pages within minutes. One does not need to be a design expert to use this app. With good landing pages, startups can convert online visitors to customers. One interesting thing about Instapage is that it has ready-made integration with other business tools like Mail Chimp, Google Analytics, Twitter, Salesforce and Qualaroo. Though this app is free, it has paid options that are dependent on the user’s monthly traffic.

6.BITRIX24: This is a Social Platform loaded with over 35 work tools that can help small businesses and Startups manage the marketing efforts of their team. It can be used for Customer Relations Management, Document Management etc. and it offers free premium for up to 12 team members plus an opportunity for online storage of 5GB.

The list can go on and on but the most important thing is for every Startup and Small business to identify the tools that are most favourable and make maximum use of them.
Remember, every Startup/Small business is a potential Blue- Chip/Conglomerate

Written by: Chigozie Okereke
Credit: www.cloudswave.com  www.google.com www.ncc.gov.ng


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