Cost Effective Campaigns- Marketing You Product With Limited Funds

(Image provided by: http://www.hireezy.com/index.php/portfolio/iphone-ipad-integration/)

One of the obstacles that all new individuals to the entertainment and media industry have to face with trying to market themselves has got to be the finances to even get yourself out there. Not to worry, there are numerous resources out there that are little to nothing, and virtually F-R-E-E.

Google, Inc. has come up with a host of different products which can work in your favor, free of charge, that can not only gain exposure for you, but also show you how to generate traffic, which in turn, can create revenue to broaden your reach, and even open up your marketing reach, niche, and even more innovative ways to push your overall marketing campaign.

Recently, Google has created two new services and two new additions to Blogger that are sure to give you all the insight that you need to be a competitive force within both your local and global market.

According to Google, Inc., it has recently launched a add-on to its plus campaign that allows your to create user friendly websites and domains with just one click, that not only generates and can calculate traffic for you, but also links to all of your other Google Products, including your phone! Google Sites, as it is called, "uses " is powerful enough for a company intranet, yet simple enough for a family website. You can start a site from scratch or from a template." But don't just take my word for it, even major business executives are utilizing Google Sites. Here is what Google Sites Includes:

According to Google Sites, Steve Lightstone, President of Corner Office Leads, Google Site has been god send for his company. Lightstone explains,

" Corner Office Leads executes lead generation appointment setting campaigns for software vendors who want to sell high. Google Sites has revolutionized the way we communicate with our clients and with our team members. We currently have 15 Active Google Sites. Each of our clients has a dedicated site containing important project related information. As an example, we use lists to capture information about the meetings we setup. Several people, from the client and from Corner Office, can update information on each meeting in real time. Now Management on both sides can see the project status in real time without literally dozens of emails flying around and without building dashboards weekly. Everyone uses the subscribe feature to see the status change and to see if they are now responsible for a next step."

Another free product is Blogger, now with the capability to add and share directly via FaceBook and Twitter, add gadgets such as RSS Feeds to other industry related websites and resources, create and show a video bar, which can contain all of your own musical and entertainment related videos of yourself and other artist, and even links to a LinkedIn Profile that can draw other clients. Seems simple, and easy right. This is where it gets even more interesting. You can also add Gadgets that can calculate your demographics, show you target market, and create a sitemap for you for free too. All of them are just clicks away on www.google.com/analytics. I will even go one step further, and show you how to below. Here is how:

1. Go to google.com/analytics
2. click "Sign Up Now"

3. Enter your Google account information (gmail account and password) and then sign in

4. Click sign up again

5. Add your account name (or Blog URL)

6. Add your blog URL without the http://

7. Read agreement and select“yes,I agree"

   to the above terms and conditions”

8. Click “Create account”

9. Open a new tab and put in the Url " draft.blogger.com"

10. Click on “template” on the left sidebar to see what type of template you are using

11. Scroll down to HTML code box

12. Copy HTML code

13. Go back to your blogger tab and click on “Layout” on the left

14. Click “add a gadget”

15. Add an HTML/ JavaScript gadget

16. Paste the HTML from analytics here without a title and click “save” and then click “save arrangement” on your layout

17. Go back to your analytics tab and click “save” here too

(Steps provided by: http://media.online.fullsail.edu/storeA/FULLSAIL/faculty/2012/01/Tutorial_Analytics4ba99302-29fb-458c-96cb-81f6b1ff696b.pdf).

The next step is to generate a Site Map, and follow the instructions step-by-step on google.com/webmaster. The results will be then auto-calculated for you, and sent to you via email, or added as a tab on your Blog if you chose it to be. With those numbers, you can then position yourself with a publicist, marketing firm, or create a presentation to show potential sponsors and investors. Great to be able to get a ROI (Return On Investment) off of a resource that didn't cost a thing now isn't it?

If you do happen to have a little cash to spare, one way to instantly gain followers, listenership, and fans is to link with a site that creates QR Codes for your company, or hire a marketing product company, Such as 5 Linx, that offers business marketing services at a flat, under $50 monthly fee.

QR codes are a quick way to cross-market your album, singles, and mixtapes, to other sites and companies, connect a gig poster with a place to buy tickets, connect posters to a video or track that "sells" the band, connect a CD cover to bonus content, or even immediately establish new fans in a demographic that was not present at the initial launch of the work. In our industry, it is obvious that it is a "numbers game", and numbers definitely don't lie. And, little tricks of the trade like this can make all the difference. For example, Lupe Fiasco sold over 204,000 copies his first week and gave him his first number one debut CD, by plastering his QR code onto a huge building in San Francisco prior to the release of his album in March 2011. Companies like 5 Linx, Inc. offer such services. Here is 5 Linx mission statement:

5LINX® is a true one-stop shop for all the essential products and services for the home and business! Whether you are looking for digital home phone service that provides unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S., Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico plus FREE unlimited landline calls to 75 calling areas, wireless phones and accessories, satellite television, or Broadband Internet service, energy (gas and electric), security systems, identity theft protection, or a host of business services, 5LINX® has something for everyone.

The Best bet for someone who is business savvy and frugal is to take advantage of a company like theirs Business Elite Package with an additional Text Alert services. 5 Linx B.E. includes, This complete package includes virtually everything a small business needs to decrease costs and increase profits, including text marketing service, computer tech support, web conferencing, and an exclusive VIP discount program. You may be a small business, but you don’t have to appear that way.

In addition, TextAlertz is a fast, affordable and easy way to stay in contact with your customers. Leverage the power of mobile marketing to increase sales for your business. TextAlertz allows you to communicate on-demand with your entire database. Share important announcements, or send mobile coupons and special offers. Your customers will appreciate the extra value you provide, and you will appreciate the boost to your bottom line.

Both of these services will cost you less than $50 or so dollars a month, but the amount of increase in your demographic reach is infinitely endless if used correctly.

Now that you have some new resources at your arsenal, go forth, apply, and take the world by storm. Just trying to make the journey a little easier on the pockets for you.