Why spend a fortune on marketing your online business when you don’t have to? You can get more accomplished and grow your business faster if you stick to the simple solutions. Years of trial and error by many other entrepreneurs have shown that these solutions all deliver amazing results. Yes, they are simple but so often it’s the simple solutions that deliver the best results.

Continuing the list of tips from the first post in the series…

#11 Work your List

Just having a list isn’t enough; you need to communicate with them. Send out great information frequently and consistently. Your goal is to become the “go-to expert” in the eyes of those receiving your emails. Once they know who you are and you have earned their trust, then they will start listening to your recommendations. Once you have earned their trust, be sure that you only recommend the best products and services to them. It takes a lot of effort to earn trust but you can lose that trust with a single bad recommendation.

#12 Create Promotions Around Silly Holidays

Almost every business leverages major holidays but you can stand apart from the crowd by focusing more on the smaller holidays. Some examples include Opposite Day, National Hugging Day, or even Do a Grouch a Favor Day, or any other day that would suit the culture of your audience. These might sound like silly holidays but you can really stand out by creating silly promotions around these holidays. Try doing a Google search for “weird holidays” to get a list. Choose a holiday and then create a promotion around it. Then track and watch as that promotion stirs up the attention of your audience.

#13 Contests

Give away something to prospects in favor of something that you need. It can be anything you choose. It could be a contest for those new to your mailing list or even a contest to see who can send you the most referrals. Heck, you can even ask them to answer a trivia question. If you offer a big enough prize, then your subscribers will not only enter themselves but might also invite others to join in for the chance to win. Contests can provide you with thousands of new customers in a very short amount of time.

#14 Volunteer

If you’re able, then try providing your services to non-profit organizations. For example, if you design websites then consider helping out a non-profit with theirs. If you write sales copy then volunteer your services in this area. The advantage is that you can grab yourself some awesome publicity while helping out an important organization.

#15 Stage a Launch

Do you have a new product, website, or service? If so, then you should create a launch instead of just releasing it. Launches turn it into a real event and get people talking about it.

#16 Make a Stand

If you really want customers to get behind your products and services then you need to take a strong stand. It must be a strong enough stand that they can relate to. The problem with most marketers is that they are afraid to take this stand because they are trying to appeal to too many people. The problem with trying to appeal to everyone is that you will wind up appealing to no one. I guarantee that you hold opinions that you could share with your audience. No matter what your niche is, you have opinions so taking a stand will give you a method of bonding with your audience. Even those who disagree with your position will bring attention to you. I do feel compelled to remind you that sometimes you will get heated responses, so it’s important that you remain professional. Never allow yourself to be pulled into an argument.

#17 Create Videos and Podcasts

In today’s world, video cameras and microphones are very affordable so there is no reason not to create a few videos and podcasts. Plus, the payback can be huge! Provide great information via a video or just create a podcast if you don’t wish to appear on camera. By doing so, you create ambassadors who will bring you new prospects from all over. As an added bonus, people who subscribe to your email list after listening to your podcast (or watching your video) are far more likely to read any emails that you send them.

#18 Form Alliances with Non-Competitors

Naturally, you’re going to want to start by forming these alliances with non-competitors who are in niches similar to yours. Just make contact and ask about a mutual agreement to promote each other to your lists. You will both expand your sales and gain new customers.

#19 Form Alliances with your Competitors

This option is best reserved for use in service niches since most successful businesses will have more customers than their business can handle. Maybe one of your competitors specializes in a specific area that you do not? Collaborating with competitors is one of the most surprising ways that you can double (or even triple) your business with very little effort.

#20 Add Value

Look at your business closely and see if there are any areas where you can add value. It can be your own products or even affiliate products but try to find ways to add value that enhances the original. For example, if you are selling a book that you wrote then consider giving the first two chapters away for free. Another example would be that if you’re giving away a free product to your email list subscribers then provide additional resources.