Does Your Small Business Need a Marketing Boost?

By Rieva Lesonsky

Could you use a boost to your small business’s marketing budget? You’re not alone. According to the 6^th annual Staples National Small Business Survey, just two-thirds (66 percent) of small business owners have some type of marketing and advertising budget for 2012. Even among those who do have a marketing budget, amounts are small, with the average budget just over $2,000.

The tough economy has affected marketing budgets. Sixty percent of small business owners say they have changed their sales and marketing efforts as a direct result of the U.S. economy.  They are using less traditional media (29 percent) and more viral marketing and word-of-mouth marketing (33 percent) than last year last year. In addition, 35 percent of survey respondents reported that they have increased their social media presence in the past year.

Small business owners have big ideas when it comes to marketing. More than half (52 percent) of small business owners surveyed said that if they had a larger marketing budget, they would invest in more advertising and direct marketing to grow their businesses.

To help, office supply company Staples recently launched the Staples “Give Your Small Business the Push It Needs” contest. (My company is working with Staples on this promotion.) The contest will enable five small businesses to win up to $50,000 each in free television advertising in their home market.

“Investing in marketing to grow a small business is essential, yet many do not have the money to do so,” said John Giusti, vice president of small business marketing at Staples, in announcing the contest. “Staples wanted to do something unique to support small businesses in their local markets.”

Small businesses can enter the “Give Your Small Business the Push It Needs” contest by submitting a 15-second video about their company on Facebook.com/Staples.  Five winning small businesses will be chosen to receive 15 seconds of advertising in a 30-second Staples television ad to run in their local market.  The prize package, valued at up to $50,000 worth of local cable television airtime, includes $500 in Staples Copy and Print or Staples EasyTech™ services.  Winners can choose to receive $50,000 in advertising or $40,000 in advertising and $10,000 in cash.

Learn more about the contest and enter by visiting Facebook.com/Staples.

Image Courtesy Staples

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 6:00 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.


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