If I Only Had a $5000 Marketing Budget For The Year, Here's How I'd Make Every Dollar Count
I recently had a sorority sister from college reach out to me, seeking advice on marketing for her new business venture. Like many small business owners just starting out, she was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of marketing her business effectively without breaking the bank. So, I put myself in her shoes and asked, "If I were starting from scratch with a limited budget, where would I invest my money to get the biggest bang for my buck?"
Here's my plan:
1. Nail Down Your Brand Messaging ($1500): Before diving into any marketing tactics, it's crucial to nail down your brand messaging. This includes your one-liner and tagline, which succinctly communicate who you are, what you offer, and why your audience needs you. Clear and concise messaging will guide all your communication efforts and ensure consistency across platforms.
Crafting clear and concise brand messaging will help you resonate with your target audience and sets you apart from the competition. Before you begin working with a brand strategist like The Marketing Concierge, consider conducting market research or surveys to better understand your audience's pain points and preferences.
2. Start with a Free Canva Account to Create a Logo ($0): Don't overspend on a logo in your first year. Instead, leverage free tools like Canva to create a professional-looking logo that reflects your brand identity. With endless customization options, you can easily create a unique logo that sets the tone for your business.
Focus on creating a logo that is simple, memorable, and aligns with your brand personality. Remember, your logo should be versatile enough to work across various platforms and mediums, from your website to social media profiles.
3. Wireframe Your Website's Homepage ($1750): Your website is your digital storefront, so it's essential to make a great first impression. Invest in wireframing your homepage to ensure it effectively communicates your brand message and encourages visitors to take action. A well-designed homepage will serve as a powerful lead generation tool for your business.
At The Marketing Concierge, we use the StoryBrand 7-Step Framework to design lead generating website wireframes. We focus on creating a clean and intuitive layout that guides visitors seamlessly through your messaging. Your wireframe, once complete acts like a blue print for the building of your website homepage. With this in hand and a user friendly website platform like Squarespace or Showit with prebuilt themes, most small business owners can build their own website.
4. Create a Lead Generator/Lead Magnet PDF ($1750): To attract and capture leads, offer valuable content in exchange for contact information. Create a downloadable PDF that addresses your audience's pain points and provides solutions. Promote this lead magnet across various channels to attract potential customers and grow your email list.
When it comes to lead generators today, you don’t want to hold back. Give as much helpful information away as you possibly can. At The Marketing Concierge, we create lead generators with compelling visuals, engaging copy, and a clear value proposition to help entice visitors to opt-in to your email list.
5. Sign Up for a Free Mailchimp Account ($0): As your email list grows with the use of your new lead generator, you'll need a reliable platform to manage contacts and send out email campaigns. Start with a free Mailchimp account, which offers essential CRM features and email marketing tools. Use it to nurture leads and stay connected with your audience.
Until your list of contacts reaches 500+ names, you can use Mailchimp email marketing to deliver targeted content, exclusive offers, and valuable resources to your subscribers, building trust and loyalty over time.
In total, implementing these strategies would cost $5000, but the return on investment could be tenfold or more. By investing strategically in marketing that counts -- brand messaging, website wireframing, and lead generation you can maximize your marketing efforts and drive business growth. If you are interested in getting started with any of these items listed above, schedule a complimentary 30 minute consultation today. We're happy to help.
Looking for more helpful marketing information? Download our free marketing checklist to ensure you're covering all the marketing bases as your business grows.