8 ways to secure the bag on a budget

Grow your business without breaking the bank. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Mailchimp]( ISSUE 05 Marketing on a Budget [Mailchimp E-Commerce Newsletter]( Marketing your e-commerce business can be challenging when the competition is endless. But don’t worry––you don’t need gigantic budgets and insane price tags to drive sales and spread word of mouth. Here are 8 things you can do to make an instant impact on your business, without the sticker shock. [Smile for the camera] Smile for the camera Content creation doesn’t need to feel like a full-time job or an expensive production. Now that everyone has a phone with a good camera, digital content has never been easier to create. Show the world your passion by sharing engaging video content on your social media channels. Get creative with different angled shots, and establish a presence on camera that is authentic to you and your brand. You have all the tools you need in front of you. And with Mailchimp's [Content Studio]( you can store all your beautifully created assets in one place for easy access––and even easier marketing. [Scale your social] Scale your social Developing consistent social media content is a tried and true way to grow your audience with high-value leads. That's where Mailchimp's Creative Assistant comes in. Our AI-powered design tool can help you design branded social content in just a few clicks. Once you’re done creating new content, post it and tag it with relevant hashtags to make it easier for your audience to find. Check out what hashtags industry leaders and influencers are using and what’s on the popular and trending page so users can #discover and share your brand. [Try Our Creative Assistant]( DID YOU KNOW? 79% of customers expect a brand to respond on social media within 24 hours* [Talk to your customers] Talk to your customers It's easy to treat social as a place where you post content and then wait for the "likes" to roll in, but it's also important to treat it as a place where you can have a dialogue with your customers. A 2020 report by Sprout Social found that 79% of customers expect a brand to respond on social media within 24 hours. Dedicate a few minutes each day to look through your social feed and to reply to comments and mentions. It’s a simple, free way to keep your customers engaged and happy. While you’re at it, encourage them to post about you and tag you for more buzz. If you need help managing your one-on-one conversations with followers, check out our [Inbox Feature](. [Count on your community] Count on your community Testimonials, kudos, reviews, and social media tags are all things you can repurpose to create content that makes your product or brand shine. And “community” doesn’t mean strictly digital––get your brand out there in your real-life community, too. Participating in local craft markets, sponsoring school or community events, or even collaborating with other small businesses can help you grow. And don't forget to look for PR opportunities with your local press. They're often looking for businesses to highlight. [Partner up] Partner up Partnership marketing is a tried and true way to get your brand in front of new eyeballs. Collaborations, joint ventures, and even social shoutouts from businesses that overlap with your audience can boost your brand’s awareness. Find a like-minded business that your target audience already follows and create an organic collaboration that will generate excitement and new engagement. [Remember: time is money] Remember: time is money Dynamic content saves you both by personalizing your marketing. Create a single email campaign with copy that changes depending on the audience. Use our Creative Assistant for quick, beautiful designs, then personalize your email content without the extra work of creating multiple versions for different contacts. [Learn More About Dynamic Content]( [Host a virtual live event] Host a virtual live event It’s never been easier to engage directly with your audience. All you need is a camera and stable internet or wifi, and maybe a tripod. Going live with a class, webinar, or event can be a cost-effective way to share your expertise. If you make bags by hand, try creating one live with step-by-step instructions people can follow. Lead a yoga class for free. Many social media platforms will also notify your followers when you go live, so there’s an extra bonus. [Don't forget affiliates and referrals] Don’t forget affiliates and referrals Wouldn’t it be nice if someone else marketed your business for you? That’s the essence of affiliate marketing, where other highly-trafficked websites will plug your product for you, driving their audience to yours. Or do it the old school way with referrals. Happy customers will often spread the word, so it can’t hurt to ask them for a referral in a [follow-up email]( after a sale. * [( [Mailchimp] ©2021 Mailchimp [675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308]( | [mailchimp.com]( [Unsubscribe]( • [View in Browser]( • [Terms of Use]( [Privacy Policy]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [Download on Google Play]( [Download on the App Store]( Mailchimp is a registered trademark of The Rocket Science Group. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Mac App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. 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