I need a low-cost yet effective marketing/advertising strategy?

[Taking Advantage]

I'm working in a high risk work training industry, i.e forklifts and other machinery.

i'm looking for an effective yet low cost marketing/advertising plan that will increase client intake, our pricing is competitive and our training undisputed, and we have an average client intake, however i want to increase our client turn over, I am wiling for a long term strategy that gradually shows results as well as fast pace short term strategies that increase turn over short term whilst the long term goals are met and in place.

the workload on what needs to be done is no issues, resources endless as well as hands i can put to the job, obviously low costing would be preferred to increase the profit - expense margin.
any ideas that are genuine would be great!

T.V advertisement is out of the question.

some areas i have been using lately are:

- radio adds
- magazine adds
- personal relations
- newspaper adds

and a few more,
I don't want to hear about cold-calling, email spamming, fax spamming either, we hold a high reputation and don't want this tarnished by annoying things like that.

I am willing to have further deliberations with professionals who can guide me through step - to -step ideas

Thank you in Advance.
Shaik,

Sorry i should of mentioned that, we have an up and running website that's running 500-2000 hits per week

[Thomas]

You can always use newsletters and internet advertising posts, which can be published in certain search engines, if you're operating a web-based site with goods services. The utilization of keywords, the right application of keyword extremes, and the attachment of these keywords in your body of the content would be the strategies of perfect SEO, a method that's used to improve traffic in a single web site, produce prospects, and conversion of revenue. You can always ask an expert support from various teams that provide digital marketing including Search Engine Optimization service and social media promotion for small to moderate business, if you wish to follow this tactic.

[455]

Newsletters
Email marketing
PPC
These are three best advertisement for the business. If you want to generate the leads and business then you should hire one Digital marketing Company which gives you the good and ethical results which are long time results.

[JSGeare]

I don't think there is a quick fix, for this, in terms of immediate increases in applications. Your media campaigns are more for reinforcement of the name; some sense of recognition.

You say TV is a no-go. But, maybe not. Check with the local cable provider about a presence on the "roll," which as you probably know shows a continuous listing of advertisers. And also check for avails on the weather channel and CNN, maybe fox. These inserts are done LOCALLY - not nationwide, and may be less costly than you think.

Of course, you are using billboards, right?

Now let's get down to the serious stuff: long term business development. You should be in touch with local equipment rental companies. Ask about placement of brochures, cards, etc. in or near their check out desk. And float this idea with them: In order to promote their own business, suggest a "free school" for the occasional operator, or even the merely curious. After all, who hasn't longed to operate a D9, or even a lil Bobcat? Be STILL, my beating heart! For the rental company, the idea is to show people how their equipment can be used by the consumer for substantial jobs around their own homes or businesses. People only THINK they can't run a backhoe - but a lot of them can WITH THE PROPER TRAINING. That's where you come in. Thus, a 4 hour session from 10 am to 2 pm, with free lunch included. Will this make an expert out of anyone? NO, but it might be enough to let them dig out a pond or pull some stumps. There is an obvious promotional value to the rental people. Your reward will come later. For one thing, some consumers will approach you ON THE SPOT to actually do a job for them, at which time you hire yourself out and can then train them more intensively on that job (if they so desire). But all of this runs to finding more clients, who could be the wanna be operators who are simply fascinated by the gear and also (heh, heh) happen to need a job.

Which is why, meanwhile, you've approached the local community college about some courses in excavation and material handling, with YOU as the perfesser. They already teach how to farm, fix cars, mine coal and pull teeth; no reason for them NOT to be involved in your kind of work.

And, of course, you have been walking and talking, among those companies who use forklifts, wheel loaders, etc.not only to offer your services in terms of safe and efficient operation, but also as a source of operators, when the need arises. For these companies, you want to be the "go-to" guys.

Here's one you probably haven't thought of: insurance agencies who handle contractors. These are most likely the larger general agents. The contractor and the insurance company have two HUGE concerns: workman's comp, and public liability. Anything you can do to help reduce that exposure through work force training should be of interest to the agency and their client.

And, you ARE a member of the local chamber of commerce, right? And you do sponsor a scouting troop, right?

Now back to your general advertising. Especially with radio and TV, there is a "trick" to this. Your ad campaigns should be based on a one - two punch approach. 3 to 6 weeks of a heavy presence during drive time, especially. Top 2 stations in the market. Then, for about 2 or 3 weeks, you evaporate. Then a 2 week campaign that is not as heavy as the first round. Cycle this ON -OFF-ON approach 3 times a year. Appearance in printed media should be coordinated with the air time, to fill in the space when no radio or TV is running, but slightly overlapping the periods when they do. Of COURSE, when you get something going with the rental people, you (and they) should advertise the the "free training."

You've objected to "cold calling." Get over it. I'm not talking about calling on just anybody, as a "fishing expedition." I'm talking about calling on someone (as I have described it above) for a REASON. Chances are you ALREADY know some folks in the rental business -and you no doubt have your own insurance- so there is already some familiarity working for you. Even so, it does help to have a certain idea in mind as to the approach. MY approach is direct honesty. Here I am at the front desk of the rental place, talking to Joe:

ME: "Joe, I need some special help, and I think you might be just the one to assist me with a plan I'm working on. Got 5 minutes to speak privately?"

JOE: "Uh, yeah, I guess. (Gestures toward office, the 2 of you take seats). So, what's on your mind?

ME: "Joe, I'm in the training business, specializing in loading and materials handling equipment. Our clients are prepared to go immediately to work in warehouses, quarries, factories, and similar places. We've been doing this successfully for a number of years, and now are looking to expand our reach. In pondering this situation, a little bell rang inside my head when I drive by your place last week. So I've come up with an idea that I hope you will either shoot out of the saddle as the stupidest thing you ever heard of, or maybe actually think about it, a little bit and offer ideas and improvements."

JOE: OK, well, what's your idea?

ME: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have the sneaking suspicion that there is probably a lot more equipment rental business out there then meets the eye. I'm talking about homeowners and maybe some business owners who would be more likely to rent equipment - except that they are intimidated by it. My guess is that if they knew more about how to actually run the stuff, they would come up with a ton of ideas for projects they could do on their own. These people won't hire a contractor because they fear the expense, and they won't rent it themselves, because they fear the equipment. That's where we come in - we train them.

Joe: But how?

ME: This where the part about shooting me out of the saddle comes in. Suppose that on a Saturday, you, or we, invited the public to learn about operating this stuff, and actually let them operate it. I envision a 4 hour session, from 10 am to 2 pm. Maybe take 3 or 4 pieces of equipment: a Bob Cat, a manlift, a fork lift and maybe a back hoe and loader, or a small dozer. I haven't worked out all the details, but the idea is to emphasize safe and efficient operation, and explain a little bit about how the stuff works.

JOE: I'm not sure anyone can really be trained in 4 hours. . .

********

Well, you get the idea - the conversation has started.

Hope I have been of some help.