Low-cost construction marketing ideas that can have big results!
More leads…more sales.
Everybody wants them, but not everybody knows how to get them on a limited budget.
Here are 21 inexpensive marketing ideas to use in your construction or building materials business.
1. Send out promotions with your invoices.
A no-brainer. You’re sending out a document anyway so why not include a promotion?
2. Do cross-promotions with other businesses.
Cross-promotions with power-partners is a great way to cut down on the cost of advertising and can create valuable synergies that benefit all involved.
3. Use your website to address common customer questions and concerns.
If you’re really paying attention, your target market can dictate your content for you. Just give your customers what they want and what they need.
4. Join Industry Associations
Broad industry associations offer a way to meet referral and power partners. They can also provide speaking opportunities.
5. Join a Municipal or Community Board
These opportunities open up a vast resource to be In-The-Know. It’s also a great way to be known by influencers.
6. Participate in Trade Shows
Depending on the event, this can be a great way to get in front of potential business.
7. Add Live Chat to Your Website
Do this, and your customers will be able to talk to customer service the instant they have a problem or question.
8. Write an Article for a Local/Industry Publication
Look for relevant publications and reach out to them to share your expertise.
9. Sponsor a Local Event
This is another way to get in front of prospects, but consider the ROI (return on investment) before committing.
10. Be persistent in follow-up
Most salespeople quit after two tries. It can take five to seven follow-ups before you will see results.
11. Add a CTA to your website
CTAs (call to action) are necessary to let your visitors know what you want them to do.
It is a prompt on your website that tells the user to take some specified action. A CTA is typically written as a command, such as ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Buy Now’ and generally takes the form of a button or hyperlink.
12. Develop a referral program
Make your customers part of your sales and marketing team. Ask for referrals and reward those customers that engage their friends and neighbors on your behalf.
13. Participate in face-to-face networking
If you’re running a local business then join at least one local networking group. There’s no faster, easier way to make contacts and get known in your local community.
14. Put a plastic card holder on the side of your vehicle.
People walking by your parked vehicle can grab a business card – easy peasy!
15. Online Contest
You’ll need to cough up some dough for a prize, but the number of participants and new potential leads you get can be well worth the price.
Really tight on budget? You don’t need a super expensive prize to get participants. Even a couple high-end water bottles or fancy backpacks might be enough of a draw for some users.
16. Industry Partnerships
Team up with a business related to your industry (but not a direct competitor) for a joint project. This can be done locally offline through some kind of special event, or online with a webinar or promotional giveaway.
Partnering with another business means twice as much notice.
If you’re partnering with an industry-relevant business, you’re getting introduced to a whole new audience related to your niche. People pay big money for that kind of access!
17. Apply Online for Business Awards
Most industries have business awards you can win, providing you with an online badge you can place on your website. Badges like these can boost credibility, and as a result, increase sales.
If there aren’t any awards for your industry, host your own! You’ll get a ton of attention from other industry businesses who want to apply for your award, which means even more connections and more possible future collaboration.
18. Guerrilla Marketing
Guerrilla marketing emphasizes creativity over budget, and strategies are often cheap and easy to implement, especially when localized.
Broadcast your Twitter handle with sidewalk chalk for example. There’s a ton of room for invention here, and you don’t need a big budget to be successful.
We wrote a whole article on unique marketing ideas. Read it here: 7 Unique Marketing Ideas For Your Construction Industry Business!
19. Use Magnetic Signs
Slap a magnetic sign on your company car or truck to build brand awareness as you drive around town. Bumper stickers and window decals work too.
20. Share your expertise
To reach other businesses (B2B), hold a seminar or webinar on your specialty. For example, talk about pain points you all have and start a discussion around solutions.
A B2C (business selling to consumers) like a home remodeler, for example, can hold a free workshop for homeowners who are on your customer list on how to build a simple storage unit for their yard. Encourage them to invite their friends.
21. Reminder your customers of the services you offer
Too many times customers don’t remember, so a gentle reminder can go a long way. Use direct mail, email and/or social media to remind them. Include a customer success story as a way to share your services.
These low-cost construction marketing ideas should help with your marketing efforts.
They’re affordable and achievable. So get started today and get ahead of your competition while watching your business grow!
Contact Us today with any questions you might have. We’re happy to help!
