Out of the Box Marketing Ideas for a Small Business

Are you struggling to generate leads and attract new clients for your small business? If you've tried the traditional approaches of marketing and advertising with direct mail, email newsletters or even social media marketing, it may be time to change your approach. Reaching out to your target market in fresh and inventive ways may just be what you need to drum up more business this season. Whether you're running a small cafe or offering web design services, take some time to brainstorm a few unusual and creative ideas for promoting your business.

Here are some "out of the box" marketing ideas for a small business:

Issue Time-Sensitive Coupons
Instead of hosting yet another sale or special offer, send out time-sensitive coupons '" an exceptional deal that expires within 24 to 48 hours. This can be a great way to drum up business quickly and get you noticed when your competitors are busy trying to get the attention of your target market. Think of a single product or service that you could offer at a deep discount for a short period of time. Remember that first-time customers who snag this type of deal may soon become repeat customers. Make sure to go above and beyond with customer service when these bargain-hunters cash in on the deal so that you can make a lasting impression.

Send Free Samples to Facebook Fans
Promote your small business on Facebook and encourage people to "Like" the page or an update for free samples. Hosting a Facebook-only promotion can help to increase visibility of your brand online and also makes it easy for current fans to share the news about your offer. Maintaining a Facebook presence can help you with both short-term and long-term marketing efforts, and is a great brand builder for many small businesses.

Create a YouTube Video Showcasing a New Product or Services
Are you launching a new product or offering a new service? Create a short 30-second video about the item or service and post it to YouTube. YouTube videos are among the easiest types of digital media to share, and can help you generate interest in your small business fairly quickly. I work with several small business owners who have a lot of success with online video marketing. They embed their videos on their company blog, promote it on Twitter, and encourage newsletter subscribers to watch it and share with friends and colleagues.

Sources:
Lincoln Court's Small Business Round Table: 50 Out of the Box Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
Zana Business Network: 15 Promotional Ideas
Big Marketing Small Business: Thinking Outside the Box to Market Your Brand

Related content from this contributor:
Overcoming Challenges that Stall Small Business Growth
Top Funding Options for Established Small Businesses
Guide to Insuring a Car for Small Business Use