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Expert Answers to Biz Questions
Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.
Getting Incredible Business Advertising on a Limited Budget
If there’s a universal rule in business, it’s that customers respond to well-made advertisements. However, these types of ads can be expensive, especially for small businesses on a tight budget.
Don't worry about this. Incredible advertising doesn’t require the ability to spend large. The truth is there are several ways to get highly effective ads without having the budget needed for Madison Avenue talent:
Create Your Own
One thing you can do is learn how to create clever and effective advertising on your own. Watch tutorial videos, read textbooks, and seek out other avenues for learning what it takes to make great advertising. The internet provides an almost endless array of resources enabling small business owners to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to successfully do their own advertising on a budget. It’s not an option for every situation, but it’s worth giving a try.
Turn to Students
It may be a good idea to examine an online portfolio for students of advertising. You’ll find students who've created award-winning content, which means their skills are worth something. They aren't employed by big agencies yet and are hungry for real-world experiences. Now, no one is saying these students are going to work for free and you shouldn't expect that. They are still in school, and they are doing your work on the side. The perk of working with an award-winning student is you'll probably get more bang for your buck. The end product will be comparable to what you’d get from a major ad agency but will cost less.
Stick to Low-Cost Ads
Another step you can take is sticking to low-cost advertisements. There's a lot of options out there for you, like printing business cards. All you need to do is pass these out when you're out and about or put them out so that your customers can simply grab some. It may also be a good idea to give out flyers, door-hangers, or brochures. These and other direct mail options are good advertising tools that won't cost you an arm and a leg to purchase. These are relatively old ways of advertising but can be effective, especially if your business is localized. Those who serve bigger markets, such as online, may have to consider something else.
Considering Freelancers
One of the most economic ways to get ads done is to work with freelancers. Now, there are a few cons, like there's no one over this person who you can talk to if the freelancer is taking a while with your work. You also have to worry about freelancers who take on so much work that they don't dedicate enough time to one project. Still, some of these folks are professional and will give you quality work. Some freelancers charge a lot, but you'll also find a good chunk of people who are reasonable with their prices.
These are just some things you can do to create good ads for your company even if you are operating with a shoestring budget. As your ads get better, make sure you continue to invest in better advertisements because they make a difference.
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