Spreadthick » Advertising

5 tips for marketing on a shoestring budget

Jon Green — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:33:43 +0000

Marketing can be hugely expensive, fine if you’ve got the capital and you’re getting a good return on your investment, but what about the new business owner who doesn’t have the money for big, glossy campaigns? Fear not, here are a few marketing methods that cost little or nothing, and can deliver big bangs for your buck.

1) Give away advice and knowledge

If you receive something for free, you usually remember who gave it to you. By giving away free advice and knowledge you can build name recognition, part of building your brand. Information has never been easier to broadcast, with blogs, twitter, facebook and other online platforms you can provide potential customers with free useful information. Just make sure they know YOU provided that service.

2) Stand united

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to market any business. Join forces with local businesses that compliment your service. If you’re a decorator, get to know the local DIY shop, the local carpet supplier etc. Offer discounts to customers for each others service. If you’re doing a print run, market jointly, this way you can share costs, gain bigger exposure, and provide better value and one-stop-shop convenience for your customers.

3) Barter

Nothing talks like money, but when money runs out bartering is the next best thing. If you’re looking for marketing services, why not try and barter for them with your own services or goods. You could offer prizes for competitions on local radio stations, newspapers and magazines. You can also just offer goods or services instead of payment, it’s amazing how often it works and how much you can save.

4) Pull a stunt

If you’re in need of a cheap marketing boost and you’re not afraid to make a fool of yourself (or an employee), pulling a stunt on your local high street can be great for business. Whether it’s a flashmob organised through facebook, or a scantily clad young lady handing out flyers, if you can attract attention, you’ll soon attract business.

5) Social media

No shoestring marketing plan is complete without including social media. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube the list goes on. These sites are a great way to build relationships with customers, highlight products and services, gather feedback and leverage viral marketing. It’s a great venue to both market and provide value to customers.

A poster, on a beach hut, in a poster, on a wall.

Jon Green — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:10:46 +0000

That’s right, you read it right. This poster was created for the beach party at Club Aquarium; a club in London with a pool inside it!

The brief (In brief)

Create beach party themed designs for printing and social media advertising, the designs should have a summer/beach/holiday theme and must incorporate the “Full Time” brand.

The result…

Treasure hunt in London

Jon Green — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:44:54 +0000

This print ad was made for the London Treasure Hunt event; a wild goose chase around London, allowing students to get to know their new surroundings and fellow students.

The brief (In brief)

Create printed promotional material for the London Treasure hunt event, students will receive maps and clues to find the treasure. The aim is to have fun and get to know the city a little better.

The result…

A safari in a black cab?

Jon Green — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:37:14 +0000

The inspiration for this design came almost immediately upon reading the name for the event; London Safari. Two iconic things spring to mind when you think of these words, black cabs and zebras. Mix them together and you get the London Safari cab.

The brief (In brief)

Create printed promotional material for the London Safari event, a trip around London to familiarize new students to their surroundings and make friends at the same time.

The result…

Flyer & poster design, Just For Laughs

Jon Green — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:30:11 +0000

This flyer and poster for a live comedy night at TenSquared London was fun to create, we wanted it to be a bit weird in it’s delivery and spoof some of the older, more serious ads we used to seeing.

The brief (In brief)

Create printed promotional material for the live comedy event at TenSquared with a tongue in cheek approach.

The result…

International Party Promotion

Jon Green — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:26:22 +0000

This is another flyer designed for a fundraising event at City University, London. This time for a party to celebrate the cultural diversity the university boasts.

The brief (In brief)

Create printed promotional material for the International Party which celebrates and welcomes our international students.

The result…

Pumping on your stereo

Jon Green — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:15:32 +0000

Check out this design for an event at Ten Squared London. See how many of the classic album covers you can spot.

The brief (In brief)

Create printed promotional material for the new “Pumping On Your Stereo” event at Ten Squared, London. It must have a strong music theme whilst remaining accessible and eclectic.

The result…

Look closely and you’ll see that the entire image is created from carefully placed album covers.

Social media poster for City University London SU

Jon Green — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:58:10 +0000

With social media being such a popular way for young people to communicate and organize their weekends, City of London University Students Union decided that setting up their own Twitter and Facebook accounts would be beneficial, and we helped them to promote their social media efforts offline with this flyer and poster.

The brief (In brief)

Create printed material to promote the launch of the new CULSU and TenSquared social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.