Finding it hard to get motivated? Feel like you’ve hit a bit of a creative wall? When you’re a one person show, it can sometimes feel that way, and not everyone can afford a creative team at their disposal to bounce ideas and concepts off of.
We’ve come up with a few ideas, suggestions and simple and affordable ways you can create some engaging posts, offers and content which will have you inspired in no time. Hopefully they assist you in bringing in some extra bucks, and just might spark an idea that just might be your “Harry Potter”..
- Send out a customer engagement survey
These are pretty simple to create using either a Google Forms or something like Survey Monkey. Create, then send a survey asking your current customers and followers about how they think you’re doing. This is also a great way to see what types of services or events they might be interested in. They can let you know where you thrive or fall down short. It can also be a great way to see what people are willing to pay for your products or services, meaning you can test the waters before investing or creating items you might be stuck with ’til the cows come home. Also if you’ve a segment of customers who are either happy or mad, look at an offer, promo or discount for them to bring them back to you business. There are so many ways to use this feedback, and customers love being heard and involved. It helps to build a strong community, plus it also allows you to see where you can improve, or let you know that what you’re doing people actually enjoy.
- Host an event or class
Plan an event to host, or a class to teach that will attract new customers to your business while educating them about your industry. The event or class will be its own form of advertising, as well as a good reason to advertise. Print out flyers and post them on community bulletin boards at the library, a coffee shop, or other local establishments where interested pupils might hang around. Post in a group that you’re a part of online, send to your customer base and now you’ve got content for your socials too. Ensure that if you’re offering the class or event for free, that you capture the attendees details, then send them up an email afterwards with a discount code/ introductory offer and price to convert them as new clients or customers. Here’s a great article to help you get started!
- Start a Podcast
I might sound like a broken record here, but it’s for good reason. Not everyone has time to read (nor even really enjoys it), but people often have long commutes or time to throw their airpods in at the gym. Record a podcast and connect with other passionate people in your area, businesses and why not get seek out some people to be guests (who might do the same for you – on their blog or podcast also). If you’re interested in setting one up, then check out Anchor where you can record, edit and then they’ll distribute your podcast for you all free!
- Send out an e flyer to your customer database
Did you know there are 3x more email accounts than Facebook & Twitter accounts combined? Or that you are 6x more likely to get a click-through from email than on Twitter? Social media as we’ve come to realise (or as I remind everyone often) is great, but having all of your communicative “eggs” in one basket, isn’t smart or an effective strategy. Email marketing has value for business owners in that it’s an easy way to start reaching consumers on mobile without investing a lot in new technology or software. The versatility of email marketing is another reason marketers should keep the tactic in their marketing toolbox. Depending on the depth of the email database and the skill of the creator, email marketing messages can range from simple to very complex. Emails can be personalized to include the name of the user and even more.Also…. If you’re reading this and you say “what database” then we need to talk. Seriously DM or email me. I’m certain you’ve customer data and details sitting somewhere, you could be utilizing to connect and speak with. Of course the integrity of that data needs to be sound, and people need to have agreed that you use it for marketing, but there are a many number of ways you can collect it and start using this as a great advertising tool. Remember – Email marketing isn’t something marketers do just because they can and it’s easy. The tactic is very effective at helping business owners and consumers stay connected.
You can take a look at this great article here from Campaign Monitor, or feel free to reach out to me. We can assist you with a range of email marketing solutions and platforms – including our own CLS branded version made specifically to get results (while not breaking the bank). Check out the great articles too from our friends at MyGuestlist too, which have some great marketing advice, tips and articles to read.
- Send out a SMS
While not everyone has a smartphone with internet access, 5 billion people in the world can send and receive SMS messages. 75% of consumers are OK with receiving SMS messages from brands (after they’ve opted in). SMS messages have a whopping 98% open rate, plus Text messages have a 209% higher response rate than phone, email, or Facebook. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, 90% of SMS messages are read within 3 minutes. The cost of SMS marketing is incredibly cost effective too, and depending on quantity and the frequency in which you intend to send them, you can obtain some competitive SMS rates. Think about it, and tell me when were you able to buy something for $0.07c to $0.12c? Probably never lately. SMS’s are effective and as used as part of a diverse marketing plan and strategy, they can yield you great results for a minimal cost.
There’s loads we could go on about, but here are just a few to get you started. If you’ve any questions or would like some help you can always get in touch. Be sure to follow our Facebook Page, where we share plenty of ideas, articles and suggestions to help inspire and motivate the Creative Little Soul in you all. xx
