In today’s economy, businesses both large and small are pinching pennies. The silver lining during tough times is we are forced to learn how to become more frugal and use our funds wisely.

When it comes to effective marketing costs and results, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. However, there is a way to market large and spend small.

Following are some tips on how to stretch your marketing dollar.

Reuse Instead of Reproduce

There are many ways to use your advertising creative for marketing collateral. For example, you can take a sales flier and add more detailed information about your product or service, or you can turn a creative ad into an email marketing campaign.

Photos, illustrations, layouts, and even copy created for one promotion can often be used in other pieces. For example, copy created for a corporate image ad can be used as an introduction to the annual report.

Get creative to stretch your funds.

Take Advantage of Discounts or Coupons

Some media companies offer a discount if you pay for your advertising campaign upfront. Take the money saved and apply it to another marketing activity.

Google AdWords often provide coupons. If you Google the phrase “Google AdWords coupon,” the first result is a link directly from the search engine giant. With the coupon they currently have, you’ll get an additional $75 worth of advertising when you spend $25. It’s free money, so take advantage.

Use Free Publicity

Look for opportunities to be involved with community activities to build brand awareness and start to build relationships within a community. Write articles for newsletters, newspapers, industry journals, industry blogs, or your own website. This doesn’t cost you, but it builds credibility and awareness both for humans and the search engine robots.

Consider Automation

Companies generally use marketing automation software for lead generation with targeted messages that can capture and nurture leads from an early inquiry through to a sale. Automation provides structure and streamlines processes and approvals. It also contributes to increased individual productivity, quicker access to information, artwork, and documents.

Marketers can use automation tools to create and establish brand messages and pre-approved content; and sales teams can use it to engage specific clients with meaningful, relevant collateral.

The key is to market smart, fully use your budget, and be consistent. To do this, businesses need to know how to stretch their funds.

What other ways do you stretch your budget?