Zero Budget and Low Budget Marketing Ideas

By Emily Huling, CIC, CMC

·        Publish articles in local paper, trade and community business publications

·        Be interviewed by broadcast media

·        Speak to groups - Rotary, Chamber, etc.

·        Be a Chamber Ambassador

·        Volunteer and get involved in local business and trade associations

·        Participate in trade shows

·        Raffle a gift at a community event or trade show

·        Attend trade shows

·        Place brochures at Chamber office

·        Place brochures in realtor relocation packages

·        Join a leads group or networking club

·        Make a donation to a charity in the name of a client

·        Use clients in your advertising

·        Provide business cards to all associates to promote confidence and pride

·        Use press releases as often a possible

·        Award a client with “Client of the Year” designation - publicize it

·        Use voice mail message to publicize new products – message on hold

·        Call/visit prospects and clients when “in the neighborhood”

·        Use note cards and thank you cards religiously

·        Use company co-op advertising funds and promotional materials

·        Use new product stuffers in all your mailings

·        Have dynamite business cards for all staff and use them

·        Create a “welcome letter” or packet to thank new customers and advise of other services offered

·        Send birthday cards

·        Send articles from business or trade magazines that are of interest to your customers

·        Send claim follow up report cards 30 days after claim reported

·        Use client satisfaction surveys

·        Use lost account surveys

·        Send newsletters - either purchased or created within the office

 ·        Stay abreast of life changes – marriage, divorce, children, retirement, inheritance, college children – to review and recommend.

·        Send “How are you getting along without us?” letters to business that you want to regain

·        Contact lost business to survey why account moved and what can be done to regain their business

·        Use Personal Lines and Commercial Lines exposure update questionnaires

·        Offer a free gift (road atlas or ad specialty item- to those who come in or reply to questionnaires)

·        Create a “magnet program” to obtain new personal lines leads and serve existing customers

·        Host educational seminars

·        Photograph the entire staff. Use in welcome packet, in advertising, on post card to introduce newly assigned account manager

·        Market within your office - name plates, offer food and beverage, have a central meeting area for walk-ins

·        Create a logo or tag line that is image building

·        Use testimonial letters

·        Partner with a video/CD firm, appraisers to share referrals

·        Send small gifts to referring customers and circle of influence people

·        Use e-mail and website wisely to market new products

·        Create a client advisory boards for input from clients

·        Have lunch once a week with a circle of influence person (banker, realtor, accountant, attorney, mortgage broker)

·        Implement a “coverage of the month” program

·        Create an insurance information relocation brochure for realtors and new community residents

·        Have a “drive by sighting” contest for employees to generate leads

·        Follow up with non-agency claimants after claim settlement

·        Market to those you send certificate of insurance to for your insureds

·        Offer a free lunch fishbowl drawing weekly at local restaurant

·        Include “quick quote fax back fact sheets” in with direct mail

·        Always include postage-paid envelopes with surveys and questionnaires

·        Once a new producer account is written, have the CSR call to introduce herself, and follow up with note card with business card enclosed

·        Always use e-mail signatures

·        Be on a Board of Directors

·        Teach a class

·        Volunteer for Junior Achievement

·        Write letters to the editors; be a guest columnist in the local paper

·        Sponsor an “Athlete of the Month” or “Student of the Month’ in your community

·        Meet with newly-licensed drivers and their parents to establish a Youthful Operator Driving Agreement.

·        Offer Commercial clients complimentary Personal Lines reviews for their employees during a lunch and learn

·        Offer high school Driver’s Education programs a presentation on insurance facts and responsibilities and review the Youthful Operator Family Driving agreement.

Emily Huling, CIC, CMC

Selling Strategies, Inc.

PO  Box 200

Terrell, NC 28682

888-309-8802 

www.sellingstrategies.com

Update January 2011