5 marketing ideas you may not have thought of

This post was last edited by Alex Cohen, on the April 29, 2010 @ 11:01 am

1. PURLs A personalised URL is a website which can be personalised for each visitor. It would look something like this: http://john.doe.wow-your-customers.co.uk. Using a URL like this in direct mail campaigns gives a greater incentive for someone to visit a website and also allows you to report on who’s been to the website.
2. Retargeting Have you noticed recently you’ve been to a website and you start seeing banner adverts popping up around the web from that website, maybe even with the exact items you were looking at. This is retargeting, a technology that tracks visitors who have been to your website and puts banner adverts up around the web.
3. Podcasting Podcasts are a way to get your information across to customers. Blogs, websites, papers and guides are all very useful but people have too much to read. People listen to podcasts at the gym and in cars, you can get your personality across and most of your competitors won’t be doing it.
4. Billboards Do you think billboards are just for the big companies? Think again, a well placed billboard at your local train station doesn’t cost as much as you may think. Sharing the billboard with other local companies is also a smart way to save costs.
5. Video If you like talking and have the personality for video, do it. Talk, tell you views, get them across in quick, digestible snap bites. Videos could offer how-tos, interviews or your thoughts on an interesting subject. Look at Gary Vaynerchuk for a great example of personal branding or Will It Blend from Blendtec.

Tags: ideas, Marketing

5 cool marketing ideas you can do on a budget

This post was last edited by Alex Cohen, on the March 8, 2010 @ 10:41 am

1. Send a gimmick. Direct mail traditionally gets a 1% response rate, what about sending chocolates, fudge or something personalised? More expensive per item but you should dramatically increase the results.
2. What can you give for free that has real value? Many businesses offer a free consultation, this is a start but what tangible products/services could potential customers get benefit from? We did a campaign last year offering ‘treats‘. Businesses had a choice of 7 treats ranging from a direct mail letter to an SEO review. They got something tangible whilst sampling our work.
3. Use the customer’s front door. If You’re targeting local businesses (or consumers) rather than sending a letter that goes through their letterbox use their front door. Put post-it notes on the doors or hang a flyer on door knobs.
4. Business cards in books. A bit cheeky but why don’t you put your business card in relevant books? For example if you’re an accountant put your business card in the finance section of small business books.
5. Innovative business cards. Staying on the theme of business cards why not make them more innovative? Use the back to write reasons why customers should choose you. Try them in different shapes and sizes.

Do you have any cool marketing ideas? Post them in the comments below.

Tags: ideas, Marketing