Startup Guides > 4 Ways to Market Your Bootstrapped Startup Online

Why do some marketing strategies become more effective over time, while others become obsolete? As a startup entrepreneur or small business owner with limited resources, you need to pay especially close attention to what's current so you can get the most bang for your marketing buck.

You may already know that you have to set up social media accounts, but here are a few other ways you may not have considered:

1. Make an Explainer Video

Everyone knows that video production is effective for business, but many startups dismiss the idea because they believe it's expensive. The truth is that it's nowhere near as expensive as you think. A simple slideshow with a narrator will cost you no more than a hundred dollars to purchase the software and learn how to use it.


Yet video marketing growth can pay dividends. Studies have shown that it's one of the most effective marketing tactics around.

2. Get Smart About Content Marketing

You likely already know that content marketing will make up the bulk of your online marketing efforts. These content pieces are longer than the average blog and they answer specific customer queries and issues. If your target audience types in a long tail query, a piece of content will appear, and it should be your content.

Recently, sites like 40Billion.com have made this task easier by broadcasting and promoting your content to its large network of several million users across the most popular social networking sites for businesses - including Twitter, LinkedIn, 40Billion, and even Facebook. Innovative services like tweet ads and promoted company listings were created for entrepreneurs and marketers to tap into a growing, active network online without spending thousands on pay-per-click ads or traditional advertising.

3. Focus on Existing Customers

Whenever someone mentions marketing they automatically think of trying to attract the masses. Marketing to the people who already know you can be just as effective. When you think about it, 80% of your revenue will come from just 20% of your customers.

Your most loyal customers will make up the bulk of your business. Direct your marketing campaign to those who have already bought from you through your email list and through staying in touch in order to turn them from buyers into brand ambassadors.

4. Manage Your Online Reputation

The online reputation industry is huge. The power of word-of-mouth marketing can't be underestimated. The reality is that people have the power.

Managing your business' online reputation is the key. It's about setting up Google Alerts for your company name and monitoring every mention of your brand. Not only is your aim to bury the bad apples with a cascade of positive reviews, your aim is to find out what people dislike the most about your business.

By keeping your finger on the pulse of public opinion, you can change your business to ensure that you are not sabotaging your formal marketing campaigns.

Conclusion

Bootstrapping with a startup is the reality for many businesses that have just got off the ground and need to spread the word. Although it would be ideal to have a significant installation of investment, this isn't always possible.

Just because you are struggling with money in the short-term doesn't mean that you can't become a success through effective low-cost marketing online. There are many companies that have become launched successful brands and become household names, even while bootstrapping. Effective use of resources is the key.

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