When you are running a small business, a marketing budget often seems like a luxury you can’t afford. However, without marketing, a business will really struggle to grow. Knowing how to make the most of the marketing money you do have by finding inexpensive ways to promote your business is essential. Try some of these smart, but inexpensive, small business marketing tips to
grow your business without breaking your budget.
Business Cards Are Worth the Cost
Creating and distributing out business cards might sound like an old concept, but it is still one of the best ways to market yourself on a shoestring. The key is to give a card to everyone you meet and encourage those people who aren’t in need of your services to pass it on to a friend or family member that would benefit from your services/products when they have the chance.
Take Social Media Marketing to the Streets
Many business owners are solely focused on marketing using online resources. They certainly are a great way to market on a budget, but they aren’t the only way to network. Join one or two network groups and your local chamber of commerce. Then attend meetings to get to know your fellow business owners. This is the best way to market your business on a local level.
Just remember to network properly. When you do, the connections you make are invaluable. While you are shaking hands and passing out your business card, ask how you can help the other network or chamber members grow their businesses. Make sure you follow through on your promises. If you do, they won’t be able to stop talking about how awesome you are.
Wear Your Business Name Everywhere You Go
A nice polo shirt with your company name and logo embroidered on it or a baseball cap with a logo looks professional and creates brand awareness. You should also consider vehicle signage if driving around in a car/truck is a big part of your business. Think of all the potential clients that will look at your car when you’re stopped at a red light. That’s effective and inexpensive marketing right there!
Brand Yourself as an Expert in Your Field
People naturally want to spend their hard earned cash on the services of the best plumber, the best veterinarian, or the best wedding caterer in their area. If you are the best, but nobody knows your name, you won’t be the one getting the calls. Branding yourself as an expert is a great free marketing technique. Offer to be the speaker for the local moms groups or scout groups. Volunteer to put together and present an informative program at your local library. Write a free column for your local newspaper. All of these activities are a great way to market yourself and brand yourself as an expert so that you are the one prospective customers think of when they need your services.
As you work on marketing your business with these ideas, brainstorm additional ways to promote yourself. Once you start to think creatively about free or cheap marketing ideas, you’ll discover that they are all around you.
Author Bio:
Anthony Boswell is a full time online marketing specialist and writes about marketing, both online and offline. Check out the TPH blog for some useful marketing tips for small businesses.
