how do I market on a shoestring budget?

[nickhumph]

Hey guys.

I've been selling online constantly for the last four years. I currently have three main established websites. koolpig (high school student social network), harvadessays (essay writing service for college/high school), and kickit (online soccer store).

So recently due to alot of investment in paticulary one of my projects (koolpig), I have $0 left to market with. I'm pretty stupid about not budgeting and planning (even though after reading dozens of books on business) but I guess I was a tad lazy and thought I knew everything.

What is the best way to attract high school/college students? Of course I know of forum posting, fb ads, adwords, press release, but really how effective are these methods?

My aim is to make myself $1500 a week by next summer so when I finish school I can support myself.

Guys please tell me your thoughts, I would really appreciate them.

[borisfowler]

With zero budget, I can think of a few things you can do. I am a big believer in the correlation between good online reputations and sales. So, in my opinion, create a good presence for your businesses online and the rest will fall into place easier. Secondly, find ways to market to your specific audiences. Facebook ads can do that for you for a price you set. Look into how those ads work.

Secondly, once you understand your audience, find out where they are likely to go for news and pleasure. Comment marketing is a way for you to contribute to discussions and blogs by adding comments that add value to the topic. Somewhere in your comment, find a way to link back to your website in a useful and tasteful manner.

Also, look for networking events in your area. Connect with people on a local level. Never underestimate what people can do for you. These connections can be a source of revenue for you.

All of the ways you mentioned can be really effective if they are done correctly. This is a list of resources I have been generating over the past few months. It will help you with social media marketing and networking. Networking

[liquidx]

I would do some SEO write some articles and submit it to article directories <== pretty effective

So you'll get some backlinks to your site with the proper anchor text. Start up on social media join facebook and twitter and be involved in those profiles. Social media takes a lot of work because obviously if you are active then you'll build up your online social presence but once you get lazy and stop submitting stories/links/updates than you'll fade away

[liquidx]

I would do some SEO write some articles and submit it to article directories <== pretty effective

So you'll get some backlinks to your site with the proper anchor text. Start up on social media join facebook and twitter and be involved in those profiles. Social media takes a lot of work because obviously if you are active then you'll build up your online social presence but once you get lazy and stop submitting stories/links/updates than you'll fade away

also nice sites but man those soccer shoes $200 seems pricey to me

[lawinc]

Here are ways you can market your business on a shoestring budget:

* Build a website.
* Optimize your website for local search.
* Write a press release targeting your local media.
* Do work for free, taking this opportunity to gain more experience and improve your business.
* Create opportunities for people to learn what you do.
* Present yourself as an expert.
* Think coupons.
* Always look for opportunities to cross promote.
* Use car decals to advertise your business.
* Be active and network with other business owners.

[Stone]

Hi,

You Say

What is the best way to attract high school/college students? Of course I know of forum posting, fb ads, adwords, press release, but really how effective are these methods?

From what yoiu know and what others have shared it seems you know how to market on a shoe string, the real problem I am seeing and please correct me if i am wrong, it is consistancy!

There is no such thing a free marketing or traffic.

You either pay with money or you work your ass off!
forum posting, articles, blog commenting, social media, yahoo answers, etc all these method work and are free however to get real trackion you MUST do it consistanctly and constantly! (this is why many people outsource this stuff).

I know this is not sexy and is not the answer you were probably looking for however craete a new plan, plan to work hard for a few months and with the money you earn, re invest it to outsource or into paid advertising, stay focused and take action EVERY Day! before you know it you will be earning $1500 in no time.

Good luck

[generationy]

Sounds like a typical question every entrepreneur has to ask at one point. One of the best ways to grow any business is to bootstrap your way to the top. And so marketing has to be just as effective too. Why not use free marketing tools to reach your customers such as Facebook, Twitter etc.? That's where the world is, why aren't you?

A few articles to help you out:
Social Media FTW!
How to Approach Marketing

Good luck!

[Cathy Duncan]

Yeah dude, the formula presented by lawnic in his post will bring you fruitful results. Go for it with your eyes closed. Good luck!

[louiecorp]

for harvard essays I recommend getting an affiliate program, find affiliates to promote for you and in return give them commissions. If you have great reviews then $1,500 month is possible with just your site harvard essays.

NicheSuccessAcademy.com

[yunyun]

ok ,thanks for your sharing .

[nickhumph]

for harvard essays I recommend getting an affiliate program, find affiliates to promote for you and in return give them commissions. If you have great reviews then $1,500 month is possible with just your site harvard essays.

NicheSuccessAcademy.com

Harvardessays was taken away because of copyright trademark infringment so thats a defunct site. I do have a new store, baused.com, which sells an ipad alternative. I am looking for an affiliate program, however the one or two I've contacted so far have a start up fee of a couple of thousand dollars, money I don't have!

Do you have any suggestions ?

[cloudjolt]

Look at social bookmarking like Digg and Reddit. Focus on building a network or marketers that will help promote some of your written material - be it blogs posts, Press releases, etc. - to the top of some of these lists. If traffic is your main objective, use numbers to promote you to the top when you do not have money to do so.

[chanson]

It sounds to me like you need to focus on LESS ideas. especially if you have budget issues. Doing one idea properly and to its full potential is very time consuming(oh and costly) so doing two or more is probably not a good strategy given the current situation.

Focus your efforts.

[TweetGirl]

Artice marketing and social media marketing are inexpensive ways to get great business exposure.

J Leach
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[TelecommutingMom]

If you don't have much of a budget use social media to build up your brands.