Taking advantage of free marketing ought to be a given. Social media is proving to be a lasting trend that not only reaches far beyond the regular scope of a simple marketing campaign but is also constant, versatile and universally accessible.

Bolster your campaign with your companies best perceived strengths – use this opportunity to give your brand a signature that marks you as different from your competition. Hone in to specifics creating a distinctive message.

We have got special tools and resources that can help you with this winning technique. Be your own marketing analyst. With some simple research techniques you can determine what is best for your business, even more important when funds are scarce.

Re-evaluate your target or niche markets. Utilize simple strategies that help to distinguish where you need to be spending your marketing dollars.

“Focus on quality rather than quantity when it comes to marketing.”

Once you have identified your key audience and defined your message the next focus is on representation. Employ both direct (more costly) and indirect (less costly) measures to deploy your message. Consider offering seminars or teach courses that mutually benefit sales for your industry, sponsor events or promos that may engage your target audiences or consider a partnership with a non-profit organization that may highlight and be a benefit to both of you.

Business cards and stationary are a classic but solid method. These days printing costs are very low and this method is one of the easiest ways to gain exposure. Leave your card wherever is appropriate, asking friends, local business owners and colleagues to help you pass them on.

Your team members may well interact with your target market at times that you don’t expect. For this reason it can be a very effective investment, and good for morale, to equip them with their own business cards as well.

Join local community groups and clubs. As well as making a contribution to your community you may well find opportunities that would not otherwise be available to you. The cost is negligible and the potential for exposure is at a constant high. Offer free consultations, trial periods or sample products or even consider putting on a contest that will get your service, product or name out there.

Asking for referrals should be a normal part of your business so make sure you involve friends, loyal customers and family. Not all marketing has to come at a hefty cost. Stay afloat and gain exposure in the tightest of times with some simple tactics that merely require your implementation in order to work.

So what are the different ways of staying wireless? Firstly, there is WiFi (the acronym does not in fact stand for anything), wireless networks that will connect your device to the internet.

“Wireless gives you the ability to be connected to the internet without actual wires running from your device into a wall socket.”

If your device has a WiFi card inserted (most come pre- installed when purchasing) then your device will be able to connect anywhere with a WiFi connection. It usually means you must sign on to the network, sometimes with a password. This is usually what you find in public areas like airports or restaurants.

A Bluetooth connection links devices wirelessly with personal networks using short wave signals. Things like remote controls, garage door openers and wireless keyboards use this type of technology. With a Bluetooth connection you can wirelessly connect with other devices and share information easily.

3G/4G connections are what keep your Smartphone constantly hooked up to the Internet. The ‘G’ stands for generation, so the higher the number, the faster and more advanced the technology, meaning the faster you can connect and download or upload information. Phones like the Blackberry and iPhone come connected to a 3G/4G network that allows your phone to be hooked into a wireless connection at any time.

Other wireless options include a plug-in USB stick, which offers a sort of dial up connection to a network that is available wherever the signal carries. These sticks plug into your device and create a connection that you can sign in and out of and is secure to your device. Hot Spots are public areas in which an internet connection is available but in order to tap in you have to pay for a password and username. These are not usually worth the price and are last resort options considering all the other convenient possibilities on offer.

Whatever the situation, your firm can benefit! With these seven holiday sales tips, you can come through the foggy end-of-the year haze with your fires brightly burning!

1. Use your media outlets and acknowledge the holidays. While you never want to alienate potential clientele or appear politically incorrect, there is nothing wrong with a simple holiday greeting posted up on your website, in your window or in your monthly newsletter. Just remember to be fair and respectful in your acknowledgment.

2. Create a holiday promotion. Create a quick and easy email marketing campaign and advertise a special holiday promotion. Offer this discount or deal to any and all existing clients and reach out to previous customers or on-the-fence potentials. Make it different than usual, offering an exclusive service, pertinent to the holidays.

3. Don’t underestimate a little holiday cheer. A little goes a long way; a simple update of your web banner, email tagline or newsletter to include festive holiday tidbits can create a seasonal mood that can invite a more generous and giving spirit with your clients.

“Recognizing the holiday can put you in favor with clients, and will rarely discourage others, if done right.”

4. Utilize the holiday partying fever. With get-togethers, social gatherings and parties on every agenda, use your networking skills to their greatest advantage. Pack in as much as you can, taking advantage of these easy to hit markets by attending equipped with business cards, flyers or just a friendly soft-pitch. Don’t make it all about the business but do not shy away from light marketing during the holidays.

5. Keep communication fluid. During the holidays, if you plan on adjusting work hours, closing or even extending your business hours, let your clients know well in advance. Send an email blast and use word of mouth to ensure that your clients and customers are not caught off guard by your adjusted holiday schedule.

6. Thank everyone. Take time out to create a sincere thank you agenda; thanking your clients, suppliers and vendors and team members. A simple email, a mention in your newsletter and as many verbal encounters as possible go a long way in keeping your relationships solid into the New Year.

7. Don’t get lazy. Set goals to reach during December and January to help prevent slipping. Striving to reach these goals will keep you on your toes during a season of otherwise general, widespread malaise.

The ‘9-5’ workday is no longer an acceptable frame of mind, as we are conducting business on the go, twenty four seven. One of the strongest strategies (at no cost!) to embrace is using Skype. Skype is an internet based peer to peer communication network. On the most basic level, Skype can be used to make phone calls, from computer to computer, for free.

What is known as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) combined with Skype’s free, downloadable software can change the way you conduct everyday business. Being on the go is imperative to staying on top of your business game.

Skype to Skype calls are free- a cost-saving method of communication could not come easier. Simply visit the Skype website and download the free software package. Once the package is installed on your computer, your unique sign in name (also referred to as your ‘handle’) becomes your calling card. Add people to your contact list and be immediately connected to business associates, clients, and suppliers.

“Taking advantage of the best, fastest and cheapest modes of communication is vital.”

Skype is not like Facebook- it is not a social network and does not require you to create a profile, provide personal information or open you up to a world of social media. While a profile can be created, the basics can keep your better, faster, and stronger without the annoying hassle of anonymous requests.

Skype can now be accessed on most smartphone mobile devices. Not only does this improve accessibility issues and create a roaming-capable work life, but it reduces overhead. Cell phone costs, especially with international calls, can sky rocket.

With the Skype application a simple download away, you can make international or local calls for free to other users. The Skype function does not use your minutes or incur a charge from the telephone company.

The benefits do not stop there. With Skype, you are provided with exceptionally low calling rates, meaning that you can call cell or land lines, anywhere in the world, at reduced rates. Become more accessible; be more attentive to your long-distance clients and save money at the same time.

When it comes to attracting, your site must be unique and professional. No matter the size of your firm, professionalism is what will keep you afloat; and the appearance of your site should reflect your desired reputation.

Include adequate imagery wherever possible to keep the site attractive – include photos of your location, your products and your team. Refrain from overusing fancy internet gadgetry and stick to the basics. Include graphs or other visuals when appropriate.

Pay close attention to your copy and content. Consider investing in a freelance copywriter to handle your needs, as many are trained in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which is the set of strategies applied that make your site appear most frequently in internet searches. With the right keywords, you can increase your internet presence, and therefore expand your client base.

Also refrain from being too ‘pitchy’ – overselling is known to be an internet user turn off. If the user has found their way to your site, most likely their interest has already been piqued.

Most importantly, consider how easy and secure your site is to use. While the internet boasts more than two billion users, we make the incorrect assumption that they are all web savvy. The easier your site is to manipulate, the less potential clients will be lost due to frustration alone.

No matter what level, all users are concerned with safety so ensure that not only do you invest in the highest levels of user protection, but also lay them out clearly on the site. Always include detailed contact information including street addresses.  It has been proven to make users feel more trusting.

Generating leads that create sales is usually the objective here. Keep your potential clients engaged and offer a detailed section describing your firm and its background, usually titled the ‘About Us’ section. Offer a full description of operating hours, locations, guarantees, special offers and your services. Also recommended are a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section and Testimonials.

Imagine the site is a stand replacing a personal sales call: prepare for a full-blown sales pitch. Generating leads that create sales is the goal: stays focused and clear to put potential clients at ease.

In the first survey, employees were asked what was most important about their job. Job security came in first, with health benefits a close second. Other things mentioned as being important to employees were a balance between work and life, salary, and retirement benefits.

The second survey asked employers what mistakes job candidates made most frequently in job interviews. The biggest mistake candidates made was having little or no knowledge of the company at which they were applying. Other big mistakes applicants make included being unprepared to discuss their skills or their goals and failing to make eye contact with the interviewer.

Prepare for a close by testing your techniques: run analytics on your offer using questionnaires or mock interviews. This preparation will leave you feeling confident and will reduce the chance of a client throwing a curve ball.

Make it clear from the start that closing deals will be beneficial to both you and the customer. Address your customer’s needs directly and provide solid reasons for why and how your service can best attend to their needs. Create space for the customer to step in and ask questions or pose objections: your pre-meeting preparation will have you ready and willing to take on these obstacles.

Always be ready with testimonials and client feedback. Show them how well you have succeeded in the past. Respect your previous customers by asking permission to use them as references and offer contact information, as you would in a job interview.

The best closers are people who seamlessly create urgency in the client’s eyes – the client would have no reason to turn down the offer. Pay attention to the flow of the meeting and realize when you have completed your piece – do not offer pleasantries to fill space. Give the client those moments of silence to reflect.

One of the best ways to become a better closer is to ask “why” when a deal falls through. If you have a client hooked all the way into a closing meeting and the deal does not go through, do not hesitate to politely inquire as to why. Using this as a critique, you can improve your future sales prospects.

Always follow up, no matter how the deal went. If you were successful in your close, a follow-up cements your positive relationship. If your client is still hesitant, a gentle follow up may be the nudge they need to take the next step.

Step into your close with the utmost confidence in the product or service you are selling. Sincerity and trust, conveyed through your verbal communications and intention to engage in an ongoing relationship with your client, will be the strongest selling point at the end of the day.

Digital signage can be seen on updated traditional billboards, in front of buildings or major attractions, and in storefronts and office windows.

Your firm’s message and promotion of advertising content can be easily managed, creating a more diverse and swiftly changing content platform, maximizing your use of space and time. Also known as screen media, digital merchandising and digital out-of-home; digital signage provides target-specific advertising and a direct link into niche markets. 

Static signs, or non-digital signage, are still beneficial (and if you don’t have digital signage in your area they may be the only option). But with digital signs you can manage the changes and updates more simply. Make your messages adaptable to the audience within a few moments and stay in a constant flow.

With the growing popularity of this new media outlet, the services are becoming more affordable, allowing even small businesses to budget for this kind of advertising.

Many agencies can aid in the selection of programs, initial set up and display location evaluation. Make sure to find an organization that also offers maintenance and servicing. Usually these companies also provide you with a content manager who handles your account.

Taking a direct approach to targeting your niche markets with digital signage can only increase your presence in unknown areas, and boost your reputation where your services may already be widely received.