In a down economy, marketing is more important than ever. If marketing funds are low (and even if they’re not), you can benefit from the creative low or no-cost marketing ideas below.

Connect with Your Clients
	Design a consistent ‘client touch’ program to keep your name and your company’s name in front of current and past clients.
	Develop a survey to discover needs clients may have that you’re not aware of. You may find you can easily create new products/services to meet those needs.
	Read the ebook There’s a Goldmine in Your Backyard.
Review Your Networking Activities
	Consider what your ROI has been for each of your regular networking activities. Invest your time, energy and dollars in the most productive events.
	Take steps to sharpen your networking skills.
	Find a leads group where the members share your values, or start your own group.
Make the Most of the Internet
	Make sure your website is optimized so that the clients you really want will find you.
	Plan to invest time and energy in social networking on a regular basis.
Get Your Name Out There as an Expert
	Be a guest on radio talk shows.
	Write articles on your area of expertise for trade or professional publications.
	Offer free or paid classes, workshops or teleseminars.
	Write regular press releases on a newsworthy aspect of your business.
Host a Special Event
	Hold an open house, throw a Raving Fan Party, invite clients to a customer appreciation evening, or organize a charitable fundraising event.
Create Win-Win Alliances
	Form alliances with other non-competing business owners who share your values and serve your target clients. Meet regularly to discuss ways to help each other.
	Co-market, give referrals to each other and sponsor joint events.
Employ the Power of Many Minds
	Join a Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board, mastermind group, or invite several friends and colleagues to brainstorm creative marketing possibilities for your business. Ask them to come up with as many solutions as possible; let the ideas flow freely. No matter how inappropriate a suggestion may sound, don’t judge or respond—that crazy suggestion might be the one that sparks a million-dollar solution.

It’s vital to keep marketing in a slow economy. Choose and start to implement one or two of the ideas above this week.

About the Author: Victoria Munro is co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly® LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for small-business owners through creatively designed programs and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different businesses. To receive FREE business success articles with tips to help you with your business, sign up for their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,” at: www.Make-it-Fly.com, and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics & Tips.

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