Businesses all over Australia are trying to do more with less as marketing budgets are slashed in these tougher economic times. But with a nose for a bargain and a little know-how from the experts, it is possible to extract good value from a shrinking budget. Here are some great tips to help get you on the way.

1. Acquiring new customers can cost 6 to 7 times more than retaining an existing customer, so focus more resources on communication with your existing clients
2. Existing clients make great referral sources, so increase the quality and quantity of your communication to them
3. Research your best customers and find out why they like dealing with you, then ensure you implement this across all of your business channels
4. Start blogging; it’s a really great way to get personal with your clients and keep your marketing costs down. Blogging also captures new clients who are searching for your services via the internet
5. Get networking – its free. If you don’t have time, get your staff out and about
6. Write editorials for magazines that your clients read and get yourself published, it’s free and easy
7. Audit last years marketing efforts and eliminate what’s not working
8. Hold regular brainstorming sessions with your staff to keep the new ideas flowing and create a forward thinking company culture