Free and cheap marketing resources that I like

Whether you're on a budget or just a bit frugal, like me, there are a ton of free and cheap resources out there that can help you grow your business. Here are a few that I like.

1. 99designs: This is an excellent example of crowdsourcing. As the name implies, it is a place to get design work done. You pay a small fee to post your project on the site and, depending on the size of your project, you offer a reward of a couple hundred dollars or so. Then, sit back and wait for the designs to roll in! You have to put in a little work; the better your project description and the more feedback you provide, the more likely you are to get what you want. Pick the winner, award the prize, and the design is yours.

On the flip side of the coin, this is a great place to make some cash and build your portfolio as a freelance designer.

Tip: For logos and images, make sure to get your design in .AI or .EPS format so that you can make adjustments (color, size, etc.) down the road.

2. Freelance Communities: I've tried Elance.com and Guru.com for myself and on behalf of a client, and I like both. People post jobs they need done and freelancers can bid on the projects and make a proposal. Freelancers can set up a profile showing their skills, portfolio, education, etc. and if you are willing to spend a few minutes and/or dollars, you can verify your skills and credentials. The cost for using these sites ranges from free to $15+ depending on how many jobs you want to post or bid on. The best part is that these sites connect people offering services directly to people looking for work. Much better than cold calling!

Tip: Try to find jobs with few to no bids on them and only a little time left on them. This will increase your chances of getting a gig and allow you to start building your reputation as a provider.

3. Networking: I recently joined several networking groups on meetup.com. I've only been to events for one of them, NY Entrepreneurs Business Network, and they have all been excellent (even on a rooftop in last night's torrential downpour). I met some interesting, inspiring people, made connections, and have had some good follow-up activity...all for only the price of drinks and some pain in my feet as a result of standing in heels for a few hours. I highly recommend joining this group. Also, search Meetup for other groups that represent your industry or some niche you're trying to reach.

Tip: People are going to ask what you do (duh) so have your answer prepared beforehand, and refine it to be appropriate for the crowd with whom you're networking. It seems obvious, but if you're like me, you might think you've got it down, only to find yourself struggling to make people really get what you do. Stay with it, because it does get easier. And don't forget to follow up!!!

The bottom line for all of these resources is that you're going to get out what you put in. Even if there's little to no monetary cost associated, you should be prepared to put in a some time and effort in order to reap the best results. Chances are, if you're an entrepreneur, you are probably OK with that - you didn't chose this route because you thought it would be easy, right? ;-)

Update! Someone just reminded me of another service that I've found to be extremely helpful and inexpensive. Check out Gotprint.com for quality business cards, flyers, etc. with great customer service and very reasonable prices.

Reading is a hot topic. Who knew?

I recently wrote an article for Examiner.com on the importance of regular reading to one's ongoing personal and professional growth. Read it here. In order to shamelessly self-promote my article, I posted a discussion question on all of my LinkedIn groups asking what people read to stay informed and be inspired. I honestly didn't expect anyone to respond.

But they did. As it turns out, not only do business professionals like to read, they also like to talk about what they read. This makes me happy. Responses I got were varied and eclectic, including everything from Malcom Gladwell to Dostoevsky. Some follow blogs, some read the Wall Street Journal or the New York times. Some read for inspiration, some read for "consolation." (I hope my fellow group member finds some!) Popular magazine choices are Inc. and Fast Company. I like both of those and Entrepreneur as well.

I have loved to read since I was young. I once failed to get off at the school bus at my stop because I was so engrossed in a book. I just dug up a copy of a book I read in middle school called They Cage the Animals at Night. I read it again in two days and cried, a lot. Now I am reading a book about copywriting by Mark Shaw.

Rainy fall Sundays like this are perfect for reading. Read on, readers, read on!

Marketing 2.0 sounds a lot like Marketing 101 to me...

I have an undergrad degree in marketing and an MBA with a marketing focus, so needless to say, I've taken a lot of marketing related classes. One concept that came up without fail in every class was the infamous 4P's. If I hit my head right now and lost every other piece of info in my brain, this would probably still be there.

The traditional 4P's, also known as the Marketing Mix, are Product, Price, Promotion and Place (aka Distribution - but then you'd have to call it the 3P's and a D, and who wants to do that?). The 4P's (I like to think of them as a family) have long been a tried and true part of my marketing toolkit (the very expensive toolkit that I am now paying for in 9 zillion monthly installments of only $250!!) along with its other useful friends like Mr. SWOT and the VP (value proposition).

So imagine my surprise when, while taking a skills test for Elance.com, I was asked about something called SIVA. Well, of course I Googled it - nowhere did it say this test was not open book - and I found out that SIVA is the Marketing 2.0 version the 4P's. At first I was really agitated and anxious. Was everything I learned in school wrong? I want my money back! But wait, maybe everything has changed in the 10 months since I got my MBA. Do I need to go back and do it again!?!

Once I calmed down and actually read about this new-fangled SIVA, I realized it was pretty much the same as the P's, but with different letters:

Product = Solution
Promotion = Information
Price = Value
Place = Access

The idea is that it takes the 4P's, which tends to be more product-focused and puts a customer-focused spin on it. Ok, phew. Focus on the customer. I can handle that.

I mean, really - P's, SIVA - does it really matter what you call it? Listen to your customers, give them what they need, and take good care of them along the way. Sounds like Marketing 101 to me. So go ahead, stick that in your toolbox...and use it often!

Welcome!

I have a website for Sassafras Business Services, an Examiner.com page where I write articles about small business in the New York area, and a Facebook Page for my company, but I couldn't help but feel that something was missing. I started this blog to have an open, flexible forum for sharing marketing ideas, offering resources for small business, discussing current news and articles, and much much more!

At Sassafras Business Services I provide small business owners with marketing and operations services designed to help them grow their businesses and shrink their workloads. I have helped business owners with everything from overall marketing strategy to Quickbooks bookkeeping - web content, email campaigns, collateral creation, accounts payable, billing, you name it - all with the aim of making great businesses better!

I look forward to sharing, discussing, learning and growing with you! Stay tuned...