Marketing tactics for the self employed

As any business owner knows correctly marketing his business is crucial for his success. Whether you are marketing products or services knowing where to spend your marketing dollars for the best results can be a challenge.This is especially difficult for those entrepreneurial business owners who must face the obstacles of getting their business up and running often with little to no cash reserve and minuscule marketing budget.But there is help-successful self-employed business owners have found ways to market their products or services in a big way using little cash.So if you are a business owner looking for ways to create buzz for your product or service here are some marketing tactics for the self employed.

• Create a Special Offer-A special offer is exactly that, an offer that is "special". This is an offer that involves product that customers would not be able to purchase or combination of products.And nothing says it better than, "Limited time only!"You will not have to go out and order a bunch of new products to put together a special offer. It does not take a whole lot you can just use what you have got. Special offers can be put together by simply grabbing a few items that are related, grouping them together, discount the price, and your customers will be excited to be getting a good deal.And the best part of this may just be that you are moving a lot more inventory in just one sale.
• - Address the Small Target Markets-Niche markets are everywhere and you just may not be seeing them. Consider this: Within the customer audience that you serve right now are groups of people who share common traits. Evaluate your market and decide if there are smaller more unique groups that you could address your marketing directly to. Then you can customize your advertising campaign directly to them. It is not hard to take your current ads, and make a few changes to adjust to a new niche market. They'll be impressed that you understand them and reward you with increased sales.
• - Set up a Successful Referral Program-Profitable business owners develop the ability to turn their customers into advocates. It may not take direct referrals to your business often your willingness to go the extra mile wins customer loyalty and support. Satisfied customers refer their friends and family to the place that will take good care of them. Marketing studies show that every satisfied customer tells three people about you. To really boost your sales give customers who refer friends a thank you it can be a discount, special gift item, or a simple thank you card. In addition you can increase customer satisfaction and referrals by using customer surveys.Simply by asking a few quick questions about what the customer does and doesn't like about your product, followed by a request for the names and addresses of friends and family who would benefit from the product, and you will be all set to go with the contact information of a prospective customer.
• - Do not underestimate the importance of using the Web to expand your customer base. E-mail is a low-cost, high-return way to enhance customer relationships and increase sales.Opt in e-mail campaigns can be conducted for a fraction of the cost of other tactics and can be executed in weeks, not months. The key to successfully using this tool is to e-mail as often as twice monthly, but only to an in-house list of members who have agreed to receive e-mail from you. If you keep the content extremely relevant, and you will see response rates climb.