Promotional Tools For Your Tool Box Part Dua

Today’s tip for struggling small business owners is: you need to employ many marketing tools to reach potential customers. Today in part dua (two) we offer 32 marketing tools that range in cost from relatively inexpensive—such as creating a logo or slogan—to expensive—such as television ads.

Our Top 10 is listed in order of importance, the first eight being absolute musts for every organization; then pick and choose from 11-32. The list is evolving. For example, local phone book advertising may no longer be crucial next year because of smart phones.



Marketing Tools

1. Phone Numbers
2. Easily Identifiable Logo
3. Websites
4. Phone Book Ads
5. Easy-to-Remember Slogan
6. Facebook Pages (this is free, but it belongs in your Top 10)
7. Business Cards
8. Letterhead and Imprinted Note Cards (for the all-important handwritten note!)
9. Signage
10. Pair of Good Walking Shoes (for running to your old and new customers)

We placed signage at number 9 because some home-operated businesses may not need a sign. Good shoes are in our Top 10 because personal visits, otherwise known as sales calls, are important whether you are a pastor, a physician or a plumber. On the other hand, if customers come to your business, you should walk quickly to them or their table to ensure they are satisfied. Great visuals, polls and behind-the-scenes looks are considered good content for Facebook pages.

11. Television Ads

12. Radio Ads (and Sponsorships)
13. Newspaper Ads
14. Movie Theater Ads
15. Billboards
16. Direct-Mail Pieces
17. Internet Banner Ads
18. IPhone Apps
19. Neighborhood Mail Inserts
20. Stadium Ads and Sponsorships
21. Public Transportation Ads

Here is a picture of Diamond in the Rough just a few blocks down the street from
Grandfather's house in Bali. Notice the bottom of the McDonald's billboard in the
background. It and most of the billboards we've seen for McDonald's in Bali have
a phone number listed for 24/7 McDelivery.

22. Partnership Promotions (with one of your vendors; for example: McDonald’s and Diet Coke)
23. Giveaways (such as notepads and T-shirts; make sure that you wear yours when you are out in public)
24. Distributing Samples of Your Product (TCBY was big on this when David worked there)
25. Brochures, Fliers and Posters
26. Vanity Phone Numbers (such as 1-800-ILUVMCD)
27. Vanity License Plates
28. Automobile Advertising on your car
29. Public Service Announcements (free to run but cost to produce)
30. Product Placements
31. Concert and Event Sponsorships
32. Celebrity/Performer Visits

Some of these tools will cost you nothing except your time. For instance, if you know how to create your own iPhone app, you’re in luck. It is a challenge to keep up with every new Internet fad, and you never know which ones will last and for how long. So, in addition to Facebook, you should also open a Google+ account.

In part tiga (three) we will give you a list of 25 free and low-cost promotional tools any organization can use. Meantime, please leave a comment below if you have any great marketing tools to add to the list.