velopments in your company, or announce recent accomplishments, announce a new product or new service, an award your company won, a big contract received, a new employee or employee promotion, and the list goes on. The benefit is that press releases are free and,How many of your marketing goals for the year have been achieved, and what opportunities might still be out there? Here are five tips for putting your marketing budget to work in cost-effective ways that return the most on your investment.

Word-of-Mouth --

Word-of-mouth may be one of the most overlooked marketing tools, but the truth is that any company, big or small, benefits from the positive word-of-mouth generated by a good reputation. Prospects that come to your company through the recommendation of a friend or colleague are more likely to become customers and to stay loyal customers. How can you build word-of-mouth? To begin with, treat your customers well. Give them reasons to want to tell others about your company or product or service. Join professional organizations and Chambers of Commerce. And finally, ask your current customers to tell others about their experience with your company. (Just be sure it was a good experience.)

Press Releases --

Use press releases to tell people about new developments in your company, or announce recent accomplishments, announce a new product or new service, an award your company won, a big contract received, a new employee or employee promotion, and the list goes on. The benefit is that press releases are free and,

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Word-of-mouth may be one of the most overlooked marketing tools, but the truth is that any company, big or small, benefits from the positive word-of-mouth generated by a good reputation. Prospects that come to your company through the recommendation of a friend or colleague are more likely to become customers and to stay loyal customers. How can you build word-of-mouth? To begin with, treat your customers well. Give them reasons to want to tell others about your company or product or service. Join professional organizations and Chambers of Commerce. And finally, ask your current customers to tell others about their experience with your company. (Just be sure it was a good experience.)

Press Releases --

Use press releases to tell people about new developments in your company, or announce recent accomplishments, announce a new product or new service, an award your company won, a big contract received, a new employee or employee promotion, and the list goes on. The benefit is that press releases are free and,

of a friend or colleague are more likely to become customers and to stay loyal customers. How can you build word-of-mouth? To begin with, treat your customers well. Give them reasons to want to tell others about your company or product or service. Join professional organizations and Chambers of Commerce. And finally, ask your current customers to tell others about their experience with your company. (Just be sure it was a good experience.)

Press Releases --

Use press releases to tell people about new developments in your company, or announce recent accomplishments, announce a new product or new service, an award your company won, a big contract received, a new employee or employee promotion, and the list goes on. The benefit is that press releases are free and,

l organizations and Chambers of Commerce. And finally, ask your current customers to tell others about their experience with your company. (Just be sure it was a good experience.)

Press Releases --

Use press releases to tell people about new developments in your company, or announce recent accomplishments, announce a new product or new service, an award your company won, a big contract received, a new employee or employee promotion, and the list goes on. The benefit is that press releases are free and,

velopments in your company, or announce recent accomplishments, announce a new product or new service, an award your company won, a big contract received, a new employee or employee promotion, and the list goes on. The benefit is that press releases are free and, depending on the publication, spread the word to a large audience.

Direct Mail --

Direct mail is a cost-effective way to target your marketing. Build or purchase a list of prospects that match your target demographics. Build the list. Always be looking for ways to add to your database of prospects. Don't delete names because they didn't buy the first time you sent them something. Build your list. Then mail to that list regularly. Things to send —

- Postcards. Postcards are inexpensive to produce and mail and get the message across quickly. You can use postcards to make company announcements similar to a press release, but targeted to your audience.

- Letters. Another highly underrated marketing tool, letters to current customers can help build loyalty. Letters to prospective customers can implement a very specifically targeted message. And letters, in general, convey a sense of personal service.

Niche Advertising --

Find out what directories, trade and specialized publications, online and