You don’t need us to tell you that marketing is key to your business strategy. You probably don’t need us to tell you how to market your business, either. From print marketing techniques (flyers, newspaper advertisements, business cards) to digital marketing (setting up a business website, social media, email), you have probably utilized a fair few of these methods to broadcast your business to the world. And that is fine. However, it’s also worth thinking outside of the norm, finding new and creative ways to market yourself. The more ways you can spread the word about your business, the better. We have listed a few ideas here, many of which won’t break your marketing budget.

• Place your brand on a range of items, not only your business cards, flyers, and staff t-shirts. Check out this service for a range of custom button ideas. Consider advertising your business on car decals, whether that’s your company vehicles, or paying others to drive around on your behalf. Think about caps, mugs, posters, bags, diaries, and other items that can be given away promotionally. Arm yourself with these items at trade shows, conferences, and even on the high street, and get your business brand out into the world to as many people as possible.

 

• Hire word-of-mouth. Some people love to talk, so why not get them to talk about your services? For example, think about hiring somebody to walk around town, handing out your promotional materials while talking about the wonderful service you offer to passersby. You could do the same online, with an influencer who will promote you on social media, blogs, forums, Youtube video, and the like. You could pay commission based on how many leads these people generate, or offer other incentives, such as a discount on the product or service you are selling to your happy talkers.

 

• Project a logo. Rather than relying on posters and banners stuck up across town, go one better, and project your logo onto buildings, rooftops, or into the night sky. You will need to find somewhere to install your projector, but once you have overcome this minor hurdle, you will soon have people talking about your business. It cuts down on paper and marketing costs too, as a cheap slide projector will do the job just fine.

 

• Stop people in their tracks with a publicity stunt, whether you do something wild and crazy in the middle of town, or plan a stunt that will grab the hearts and minds of the world’s public and media. Take inspiration from some of the greatest publicity stunts of our time, from creating viral content to spread word about your business, to one-off events (such as flying an airship plastered with your brand over town). A guaranteed way to get people talking about you, but you do need to be careful. Don’t break any laws or cause harm or injury to yourself or others, as people will end up talking about you for all the wrong reasons.

 

• Self-publish your own book, and either sell it or give it away for free online through the various eBook sellers at your disposal. There are some tips here on how to go about this process, and providing you do have some written ability (or you could hire somebody to write it on your behalf), you can both share your expertise in business with others, and hopefully garner an interested audience into what it is you are offering for sale.

 

• Reward your customers in a variety of ways, both securing their loyalty and encouraging them to spread word about your business. This can include remembering anniversaries (sending out birthday and Christmas cards), randomly sending out freebies through the post, and offering special discounts to those clients and customers who have been with your business for a set amount of time. Don’t spam your customers (or go over budget with your rewards), but send them out sparingly for more positive results.

 

• Volunteer your time or money at a community or charity event, or hire members of your staff to do so. While this can be rewarding in itself, especially if the cause is close to your heart, you will also reap some of the benefits by having your name affiliated to whatever the event is supporting. However, don’t over promote your ego in the process – there is a balance between doing something good for others and helping your own cause – so let the media spread the word about any good deed you have done, and share your branding appropriately.

• Take a stance on a hot industry topic, and share your thoughts with local media to draw attention to your opinion. To do this, you will need to have an understanding of what you are talking about, and a genuine feeling on the matter. Do your research first, and ensure you don’t say the ‘wrong thing’ as public opinion may turn against you. For example, one of the current hot topics worth focussing on is the environment, as this is something common amongst many industries. How is your company dealing with the issue? How are you different to others? Let people know your thoughts on this or any other matter that could generate interest into your business.

 

• Hit the streets, and do something that will catch the eye of passers-by. You could commission a local artist to paint a decorative mural on the side of a wall, or something created with chalk on local pavements. You could hire a walking billboard, somebody dressed up as mascot to provide a verbal or a visual marketing aid to your business. You might even hang coat hangers around town emblazoned with your brand (makes a change from flyers and posters). Whatever you do, ensure you have the correct permissions first, as you don’t want to get fined for graffiting, or find yourself being accused of being a public nuisance.

So, let us know what you think. Did any of these ideas take your fancy? You may have some creative (and unusual) marketing tips of your own. Please share your thoughts and ideas with us – promoting yourself in the process – and giving others the benefit of your helpful advice.