How To Be A Marketing Maven On A Minimal Budget

 

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Marketing your business may sound like an expensive endeavor. And, it can be. If you have grand ideas that involve television, billboards, or huge events, you can expect to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars. But, not all of us have a corporate-level budget. Oevae Marketing wants to help you succeed, so here are some great ways to jumpstart your efforts.

Keep Email Marketing In Mind

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to reach your customers. Contrary to popular belief, email is not dead, and more than eight out of 10 adults report logging into their inbox regularly. 

Oevae Marketing’s affordable email marketing starts at just $9.99 per month for up to 5,000 emails. Something to keep in mind here, however, is that you have to mind your manners. Ask permission before adding anything to your customers’ inboxes. When they give you the okay, as Forbes recommends, make sure to provide exceptional content. Coupons, special offers, and interesting information are usually welcome; generic sales pitches are not.

Make Your Presence Known On Social Media

Before there was email and before there was television, most municipalities had a town crier. This is a person who would stand in the square and shout the news. Social media is the town crier of today. But, instead of a single promoter, you have billions of people sharing information, reviews, and events. Learn how to utilize social media to capture your customers' attention. Targeted ads are often inexpensive and, although you may not reach a huge number of people, those that you do reach matter. 

A word of advice, whether you are working with emails or social media, is to invest in and understand cybersecurity. Both of these platforms frequently ask your customers to input information, and you want to be able to protect them and yourself from identity theft and digital data breaches.

Design and Distribute Infographics

If you’re handy with design, you can quickly, easily, and cheaply create infographics. These are essentially pictures that clearly outline an idea and relay information. Visually appealing infographics are shareable and will draw attention to your brand.

Claim Your Listings

Yelp, Google, HomeAdvisor, and other platforms offer free or low-cost listings. Claim them, and use them to your advantage. Google My Business, for example, allows you to post content, such as daily menus, a quick link to Google Maps, one-click calling, and special events that customers can see directly from their Google search.

Create a Podcast

Podcasts are an easy and effective way to keep your name in front of your customers. Basically, this is a digital download or live stream that people can subscribe or listen to at their convenience. A podcast requires a computer, microphone, and something to talk about. Find out what your customers want to know, and record valuable information on these topics. For example, if you are a dog groomer, consider a weekly podcast on how to keep your pet clean and healthy. Launching a new show is not that difficult, but Big Podcast recommends doing some research on which platforms you’d like to publish your podcast.

It’s a common misconception that you have to bottom out your bottom line just to get your name out into the public’s eye. While there’s nothing wrong with large-scale marketing, starting small can have big effects. It takes work, and to save the most, you’ll need to DIY. But, it’s an effort worth the time and energy. The above ideas can get you started but don’t be afraid to get creative. Remember, anything that puts your name in front of your customers is a smart part of your marketing plan.

How to Protect Your Small Business During COVID-19

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Small businesses across the country are feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Many have been forced to lay off employees. Others have had to close their doors temporarily. Some businesses, unfortunately, have gone under permanently. If you’re a small business owner right now, it’s completely normal to be worried. But you don’t have to feel hopeless! There are several resources out there to help your business survive and thrive during the pandemic. 

Find Resources for Texas Entrepreneurs

The response to COVID-19 has varied from state to state. As Texas begins to reopen, keep yourself up-to-date with the latest coronavirus information and know where to go for other local business resources.

• Find out how Texas is responding to and handling the coronavirus. Keep yourself informed about the governor’s plan to reopen certain businesses and what kinds of precautions you need to take. 
• Texas-based small businesses affected by the coronavirus have access to financial relief and funding help through several different programs.
• Consider forming an LLC to protect yourself from debts or liabilities related to your business.

Make Improvements to Your Business

The coronavirus lockdown has prompted many businesses to innovate and focus on their virtual presence. This is a great time to make upgrades to your business and streamline your operations with automation tools.

• Invest in affordable technology to bring your business into the 21st century. This is the time to upgrade your website, automate your marketing, and improve data security.
• If you don’t have a business website, now is the time to make one. Ensure that it’s attractive, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.
• Take this time to research your competitors and discover ideas that you can incorporate into your own business. Focus on companies that are thriving during the pandemic.
• Explore ways to increase employee morale to improve productivity and reduce turnover. Ask your staff for feedback and consider implementing their suggestions.

Keep Your Customers Informed

During times like these, it’s more important than ever to stay connected to your customers. How you handle this crisis will give your customers valuable insight into the honesty and reliability of your business.

• Continue posting on social media, even if your business is temporarily closed. Keeping in touch with your customers now will help solidify your relationship in the long run.
• Notify your customers of updates to your opening hours, online order process, curbside pickup, or in-store coronavirus safety plan.
• Show your customers that you care about your community by making donations to local charities or offering special discounts to healthcare workers.
• Use your business downtime to ask your customers what they like and dislike about your products, services, and customer service approach.

As a nonessential business owner, you may be worried about what the coronavirus pandemic means for the future of your company. Try not to panic! Take advantage of the resources available to you and use the lockdown to make improvements to your business operations. When it’s time to reopen, your business will be better than ever!

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Job Hunting in the Time of Coronavirus: Budget-Friendly Tips for Finding Work

Are you wondering how you’ll pay the bills now that your workplace has shut down due to coronavirus? 

Not only are job opportunities limited due to the pandemic, but when you’re short on funds, it’s hard to come up with the cash you need to cover job search expenses. These budget-friendly tips will help you find work during the coronavirus lockdown without going broke.

The Cheapest Websites for Finding Work

Freelancing is a good way to start earning income ASAP when you’re out of work, and freelancing websites make it easy to connect with paying customers. Unfortunately, these platforms also charge fees — up to 20 percent of your earnings in some cases!

To find clients for graphic and web design, marketing, communications, data entry, remote customer service, and other freelance-friendly gigs, look to these free and low-cost websites instead:

• Craigslist: Craigslist is free to use, but watch out for scams. The Balance explains how to tell legitimate freelance opportunities from fake ones.

• Hubstaff Talent: Hubstaff Talent charges zero fees to freelancers and clients, making it the cheapest freelance platform on the web.

• Guru: With freelancer fees of 9 percent for basic users, Guru is more expensive than the aforementioned options but still one of few freelance sites with fees under 10 percent.

• FlexJobs: Instead of a percentage of earnings, FlexJobs charges a flat monthly fee with options starting at $14.95 a month, making it a great choice for people freelancing temporarily.

Budget-Friendly Tips for a Professional Video Interview

Before you can land a freelance gig, you need to ace the interview. While working from home technically means you can work in your pajamas, it’s not the best choice when you’re hoping to impress a client over video chat. In addition to ensuring you’re well-groomed, have a professional outfit ready for virtual meetings. If you don’t have anything suitable in your closet, don’t panic. Even with stores closed, you can find good deals on professional clothing by shopping online with retailers like American Eagle and searching for AEO coupons and promo codes to enter at checkout.

How to Build Your Skills with Free Online Resources

Are you struggling to get hired online? It may be because your resume is lacking. Luckily, there are tons of online resources that let you boost your skills for free. These are the best online learning resources you can use to strengthen your resume:

• Coursera: Coursera has some of the most diverse class offerings of all online learning resources, with course options ranging from computer science to communications.

• edX: With access to courses from Harvard and MIT, edX provides high-caliber online education for free.

• Alison: In addition to free courses, Alison lets users earn certificates and diplomas at no cost, making their online classes a great addition to your resume.

Not sure where to start with online learning? The Muse offers 18-course recommendations for expanding your skills.

Low-Cost Solutions for a Professional Website

A professional website boosts your credibility as a freelancer, but what if you don’t have the funds to pay a professional web designer? When you need to get a website up and running with as little time and money as possible, look to website builders. Website builders combine drag-and-drop web design tools with integrated hosting so you don’t need to be a tech wiz to set up a website. While there are a variety of website builders out there, Weebly offers the cheapest plans for month-to-month users with pricing starting at $9.

Finding freelance work is a great way to boost your income during the coronavirus lockdown, but getting started with freelancing isn’t free. Luckily, there are lots of ways to save money on the things you need to find freelance clients and build a professional web presence. Whether you freelance for a few weeks or start working for yourself full-time, these tips will help you do it at a price you can afford.

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