{Marketing Tips} - Thing you can do in under 5 minutes

We continue today with our mini-series featuring easy-to-do marketing tips. Tomorrow will be a last post in this feature.

1. Take a file folder and label it 'Advertising Inspiration' then put it somewhere easily accessible. every time you see an ad in the newspaper you like, or receive a postcard or flyer in the mail that grabs your attention, stash it away in this folder. When it comes time to create some marketing collateral for yourself, you'll have your file of ideas for reference.
2. Offer a time-sensitive discount coupon via Twitter or Facebook (or both) You can do this a bunch of ways but here is one option. Post a comment in the morning to your followers saying that there will be a special time-sensitive deal posted at 1:00 pm and to check back at that time. At 1:00 pm post the deal. Tell your followers that if they post a comment between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, they will receive a coupon (via private Facebook or Twitter message). At 2:00pm, send the promised coupon to all followers who commented during that time frame. Make sure to talk about the missed deal to the other followers who did not get it so they make sure to check back regularly.
   
   
   You can also take it one step further by tagging on some market research. In your post, ask your followers a question to answer in the comments that will help you make some decisions. For example, you could say this: "Leave a comment here telling us your favourite fall fashion trend between 1:00 and 2:00 pm to receive your 20% off coupon. " Not only are you offering an incentive to get customers in the store, but you are finding out what your followers are looking to purchase for their fall wardrobe updates.