The number one mistake small businesses make is cutting costs by eliminating their marketing funds. A business owner cutting their marketing budget is like a farmer who stops watering their plants to save money on their water bills. If your business is struggling the reason may be because you have been neglecting your marketing.
Start off small but smart.
Small companies should start with lean marketing. Make sure you are doing the things that are free and pick inexpensive marketing options that can be tracked or measured to see if they are successful activities. If you find a marketing venue that works make sure you repeat what works for you. Set aside a marketing budget that you can draw from to make your marketing more professional and reach more people. Marketing pays off in the long run, and you may not see a return right away. Remember that marketing is like farming, you need to plant the seeds and wait and nurture it until you can bring in the harvest. It takes patience and consistency.
Marketing can be fun.
As you start seeing success from your marketing, you won’t dread spending money on your company. You will have a mindset of growth instead of one of fear. Your business will prosper. If you are thinking about cutting your marketing budget, reconsider.