6 Ways to Do Message Marketing on a Shoestring

The first step? You need to create your '3 essential stories.'

learn more about Judy Carter

By Judy Carter

Samuel Kpakiwa / EyeEm

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Yesterday, when I asked my neighbor's kid if she could walk my dog, she directed me to her dog-walking website, complete with client reviews, a mission statement, customer testimonials and pricing tiers. In the About section, I learned that she is 10 years old.

Related: 8 Ways to Make Your Marketing Message Stand Out

Say what you will about Millennials, but today's kids have more sophisticated message marketing skills than most Baby Boomers. Still, even if you aren't a born entrepreneur, you can learn six essential skills necessary to earn extra income with your home-based business.

Why become an entrepreneur?

With companies hiring fewer full-time employees, careers like that of my father, who had one job his entire life and retired at 55 with a lucrative pension, are few and far between. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person now has 12 jobs in his or her lifetime, and many of them are simultaneous.

Want to be able to afford a great lifestyle?, You'll have to be a self-starter and know how to maximize your earnings.

Related: Is Your Marketing Message Getting Muddled?

So, if you are that self-starter, and you're starting a business with modest funds -- from home -- you'll be making a mistake to immediately hire someone to do a website, write copy and handle the marketing before you understand the following marketing skills:

  1. Know your 'message.' Your essential business message is based on identifying your audience, your personal passion, your skill set, the challenges you solve and the results you can offer. How can anyone know what you are about if you don't know, yourself? Worse, what if you can't yet communicate that message? Learn what I call the Message of You Formula here.
  2. Be clear about your 'promise statement.' Once you have your message, reduce it to a five-to-seven-word statement that describes the results of someone using your service or product. The message should go on your website, form the essence of your social marketing campaign and be reflected by your logo. Here is a link to a free webinar to show you how to find your promise statement.
  3. Help Google to find you. As the old adage goes, what good is a website if Google can't find it? Engage in some DIY SEO marketing to increase your online ranking without having to hire an expensive expert.
  4. Write findable and sizzling web copy. Take note of what I call the 3 Essential Stories you have to have on your website: the one about your customers, the one about your business, and your own personal heart story.
  5. Create a great demo video. Before hiring an expensive video production crew, assemble an authentic video that will connect with millennials. A phone and selfie stick will be useful. Millennials are not often praised for their traits, but one thing in their favor is that they feel a part of something bigger than themselves; they want to make a difference. Don't you want to be part of something bigger, too? Capture that in your video and marketing.
  6. Use public speaking to promote your business. Yes, public speaking is scary, but there is no better marketing than a 12-minute TEDx talk to turn you into an expert on just about anything..

Related: Make Your Marketing Message Stand Out on Social Media

Your message is your foundation to your marketing. To help you find it and polish other marketing skills, view free video lessons here. Think about my young dog-walking neighbor, and get started today.

Judy Carter

Keynote speaker, speaking coach, and workshop leader

Judy is an international keynote speaker, speaking coach, and workshop leader on the power of personal stories and humor to inspire others and decrease workplace stress. Her “wake-them-up” keynotes have thrilled attendees at many Fortune 500 companies including Fedex, Oracle, Disney, Boeing, as well as hundreds of finance, healthcare and women's events.

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

This 61-Year-Old Grandma Who Made $35,000 in the Medical Field Now Earns 7 Figures in Retirement
A 'Quiet Promotion' Will Cost You a Lot — Use This Expert's 4-Step Strategy to Avoid It
3 Red Flags on Your LinkedIn Profile That Scare Clients Away
'Everyone Is Freaking Out.' What's Going On With Silicon Valley Bank? Federal Government Takes Control.
Leadership

How to Detect a Liar in Seconds Using Nonverbal Communication

There are many ways to understand if someone is not honest with you. The following signs do not even require words and are all nonverbal queues.

Starting a Business

Selling Your Business? Do These 6 Things Right Now.

If you want the maximum price you need to make these moves before you do anything else.

Business News

Carnival Cruise Wants Passengers to Have Fun in the Sun — But Do This, and You'll Get Burned With a New $500 Fee

The cruise line's updated contract follows a spate of unruly guest behavior across the tourism industry.

Celebrity Entrepreneurs

'I Dreaded Falling in Love.' Rupert Murdoch Is Getting Hitched for the Fifth Time.

The 92-year-old media tycoon announces he will wed former San Francisco police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith.

Leadership

5 Practical Strategies Founders Can Use to Improve Their Mental Health

Supporting your mental health is one of the most important investments you can make in your company. If you're unsure where to begin, choose one of these strategies and focus on implementing it in your everyday life.

Business News

What Does the Banking Crisis Mean for Startups and Small Business Owners?

Author, CPA and business owner Gene Marks break down everything entrepreneurs need to know about the impact of the SVB collapse.