You have to spend money to make money, and that's unquestionably true of marketing. But if you have a small budget to market your business, there are some wonderful ideas for cheap or even free marketing, which can help you get the best bang for your limited buck.
1) Discover Different Ways to Attract New Customers
Give free workshops, webinars, or classes that help to build awareness of your products and services. People love to learn, so giving lessons can be a great method to form a more meaningful connection with customers. Because attendees will need to register, you can use the information to build your marketing list.
In addition, make sure you provide a take-away such as a digital or printed brochure which can be incredible sales tools. They're extra-ordinary in-hand marketing material when you're discussing your products or services with customers, and something you can send out as advertising, too. And it won't break the bank given the numerous online printers that have cropped up including Vistaprint and some of the brick-and-mortars that now offer online services including Costco's Business Center, Office Depot, and Staples.
2) Grow Your Online Presence
Build a website for your company if you don't have one. Doesn't matter if all your website does is present the "who, when, where, and why" of your business. At least it provides you a home on the web and a possibility of showing up in search results. It's critical for getting your business found nowadays. There are many tools available such as wix.com, weebly.com, or godaddy.com. Most website builders are reasonably priced - generally less than $10 per month (look for promo/discount codes). Some website builders are free if you're willing to display their logo on your site.
Make a blog for your business. Blogging is an economical method to create a greater market for your products or services. And it can help with your search engine optimization (SEO) if done right. Make sure you have something worthy to share, bring your brand personality into your writing, and don't forget to post regularly - at least once a month, but more often if you can.
3) Be Bold
Apply for business grants. Many business organizations select top businesses each year, covering a wide range of categories. There's nothing wrong with a nomination from a friend or companion—or even nominate yourself. A nomination transforms into free marketing for your business, even if you don't win.
Blow your own horn and get over being shy. Get out there and promote yourself. Everyone has something that they can be glad for. Whether it's an honor, a new skill, an achievement, or work for the community, practice self-promotion by speaking and writing about your accomplishments. Add a line about something you're pleased with to your email signature and to your stationery. Announce it on social media (e.g., Facebook; Instagram; tweet about it; add it to your LinkedIn profile). Tell others. It's okay to share your successes every once in awhile.
4) Embrace Email Marketing
If you're not improving and increasing your subscriber list, besides regularly communicating with your customers, you're missing out on an exceptionally cost-effective marketing tool. Here's why:
· 72% of consumers like to be reached by email.
· 91% of consumers like to receive promotional emails from companies they do business with.
· 73% of brands say email is one of their center promoting channels.
· 25% consider it the best channel in terms of ROI.
Urge customers to sign up for your email list, both in the store (if applicable) and on your website, and give them motivation to do so—a discount or a free sample on a future purchase, for example. As mentioned above, free workshops, webinars, and classes are a great way to add to your email list.
Email marketing software is very affordable; some vendors offer free plans for small businesses with all the features you require to begin. How frequently you want to email your subscribers is an element of your business niche and the amount of effort you can assign to creating useful content. If the idea of assembling an email newsletter leaves you cold, find a freelancer who will do it at a reasonable rate.
5) Find a Co-Marketing Partner
Who says you have to go it alone? Find a small business partner that provides a product or service complimentary to yours that may be interested in doing some co-marketing with you. Once COVID restrictions are lifted, perhaps you can partner with the local coffee shop and organize a breakfast event or workshop which both businesses can promote. You can split the cost and gain access to a larger combined audience.
There are many creative ways to promote your small business without spending a lot of marketing dollars. Take the first step and put a plan together today.
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