giftboxOftentimes, small business owners find themselves with an extremely small, or nonexistent, marketing budget.  What few of them know is that great marketing is not always costly.  One of the best ways to grow a business is giving the product or service away!

Yes, you read correctly.  Putting your product in the hands of connectors can be a great way to encourage a windfall of new business.  Have you opened a new online jewelry boutique?  Why not give a few of your pieces to the local fashionista who is always posing on camera?  This is an especially smart move if you know her to be someone who issues recommendations freely.  Not only will you have great publicity pictures of her wearing your pieces, but you will likely start to get calls from her friends and followers.

This same principle applies with many service-oriented businesses.  Invite connectors to take advantage of your services and, if all goes well, you will likely start to receive calls from new potential clients.  To maximize this opportunity, you should ask these new clients for referrals as well.

If you really want to take it up a notch, offer referral incentives like freebies, discounts or cash in return for referrals.

8 Responses

  1. Good read! You really hit home on a key marketing component for a new product, business or service. Consider freebies in your marketing budget.

  2. This is great info! I began doing this per your advice and have gained tons of new clients. I also send my niece to Texas Southern every week with a new pair of earrings or a ring and a pocket full of business cards to attract the college crowd. Thank you so much for all the great advice.

  3. @Crystal- it is always great to know that I am in-line with one of the countries most prestigious and award-winning Public Relations Firm’s CEO.

  4. @Jeanne- I’m glad to hear that you are seeing great results! Now just work on getting “high profile” Houstonians in your pieces. Getting someone on camera with your jewelry will do wonders in the area of PR.

  5. Great insight! Yes, I’ve showcased [wore] a jewlery stores products and their sales increased by 40%. Little did I know it would lead me to attain connections that are mutually beneficial!