The prospect of marketing your business can be
overwhelming, especially when you are a small business with an even
smaller budget. The good news is that marketing doesn’t have to cost
thousands or even hundreds of dollars.
Here are 20 ways you can market your small business on a shoestring budget -- or even on no budget at all.
1. Post amazing content on your blog
Your
blog will be the foundation of all your other marketing efforts. It is
where you direct visitors, nurture relationships and capture leads. Be
sure to regularly post content that meets the needs and interests of
your audience.
2. Create a Google My Business account.
If you want your business to show up in local search, a Google My Business account
is a necessity. This will make sure your business is not only visible
on search, but on Google Maps and Google+ as well.
3. Get free PR with HARO.
How does free PR in national magazines and websites sound? Create a free account with HARO. (Help a Reporter Out) and respond to relevant media queries.
4. Build a free (or cheap) email list.
Every
business owner should have an email list! But when you are just
starting out, you likely don’t want to commit to the monthly fee that
many email management services charge. Fortunately, most offer a free
option for businesses with smaller lists. For instance, MailChimp offers
its service for free for businesses with fewer than 2,000 subscribers.
And when you are ready to take things to the next level, aWeber starts at just $19/month.
5. Contribute an article to an industry magazine.
Advertising
in trade magazines can run you thousands of dollars. But contributing
an article? Absolutely free. Many magazines accept guest contributions,
and let you promote your business in your bio.
6. Attend local networking events.
Check out local business events on Meetup.com, or see what events your local chamber or small business association is hosting.
7. Co-sponsor a contest.
Contact
a complementary business in your niche and suggest hosting a contest
together. This can be a great way to cross-promote your businesses.
8. Create an affiliate program.
If you offer a digital product (like an ebook), set up an affiliate program with a service like E-junkie. At just five dollars per month, you can’t go wrong!
9. Guest post on popular niche sites.
Guest posting can be a great way to reach a whole new audience. Don’t forget to include a link back to your site in your bio!
10. Comment on blog posts.
Leaving thoughtful comments on blogs you follow can be a great way to get noticed by both the blog owners and their visitors.
11. Host webinars on your site.
Hosting
webinars can be costly; however, there are some companies that offer
free or low-cost options for small business owners. Some cheap options
are Webinars OnAir (starting at $19.97/month) or MeetCheap (starting at $9.97/month). If you are looking for an even cheaper option, Google Hangouts On Air is 100 percent free.
12. Become a valued member of other people’s communities (OPCs).
Join
Facebook and LinkedIn groups in your industry and offer valuable advice
and information. As members see the value you are providing, they will
want to find out more about you and what you offer.
13. Create a free Yelp listing.
If you are a local business, consider adding your business to Yelp. It’s free, and can be a great way to increase your visibility in the search engines.
14. Create a Facebook group.
Create a topical Facebook group that your prospects would be eager to join. Center it around a topic or theme, not around your business. For instance, a marketer could create a group called “Marketing Tips For Small Business Owners.”
15. Offer a free info-product on your site.
Create
an ebook or other digital product to give away on your site. This is a
great way to get visitors on to your list and into your funnel!
16. Take advantage of Facebook's and Google’s free ad credits.
Facebook
and Google are always giving away free ad credit vouchers. When you are
signing up for services like web hosting or AdWords, take advantage of
the free vouchers they offer and take PPC advertising for a test drive.
17. Create your own infographics.
It’s easy and relatively cheap when you use a service like infogr.am. Infographics are great for getting back-links to your site!
18. Create eye-catching business cards.
Making your business cards stand out from the pack can get you noticed at live business events. MOO offers unique designs. like square and mini cards, starting at just $19.99.
19. Host a local class.
Offering a free on-site class can be a great way to attract locals to your place of business.
20. Offer amazing free info on social media.
As
a social media marketer, I can’t leave this one out! Share valuable
information with your social media fans and followers, and become a
trusted expert in your industry. Wondering what you should share? Here
are 50 ideas to help you connect with your social media followers.
I
hope you find these 20 ways to market your small business on a
shoestring budget useful. What would you add to this list? How do you
market your business on a budget?
Source: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247299
Comments
Post a Comment