Are you concerned about insufficient money or time to market your small business effectively? Here's the good news: many incredible marketing ideas won't cost you much. Are you gaping at me in surprise?
These will help you jumpstart your project while tying up a relatively small amount of manpower and resources. But if you want to go one step further and skip the process of building a team to address these tasks, plenty of offshore development services are ready to help you out. They'll provide all the staff and infrastructure you need, saving you much effort.
In this article, let's look at some innovative and cost-effective strategies to promote a small business.
Skip to:
- Create a Website
- Build a Business Blog
- Promote Your Business on Social Media Platforms
- Be a Proactive Networker
- Use HARO to Get Free Media Coverage
- Write High-Quality Guest Posts
- Offer Free Product Samples
- Create a Referral Program
- Participate in Awards
- Create an Introductory Video
1. Create a Website
Most people today look for products and services online. However, 68 percent of all online experiences begin with a search engine. A business's digital presence starts with a website. A website gives you a platform to communicate how your products and services are better than the competition.
You can hire a freelance website developer to create a professional-looking, search-friendly business website. Alternatively, you can choose a DIY website builder and make your site using ready-to-use templates. Finally, don't forget to spruce up your website features with some helpful plugins from POWR.
Source: POWR
2. Build a Business Blog
Content is a powerful medium for building relationships with potential customers.
70% of people would instead get information from blogs than traditional advertisements.
Creating helpful content that solves your target audience's problems can convert them into loyal customers. A budget-friendly way to start publishing such content is to hire an experienced freelance ghostwriter. Alternatively, use any of the best AI copywriting tools.
According to Kevin Wabiszewski, Founder of Marine Approved, you can begin with one content format, say a business blog, and start building leadership for it. Then, offer blog visitors a free newsletter subscription with the promise to share the latest content and updates in their email inbox. Also, you must create a blog editorial calendar and maintain a repository of new blog post ideas.
3. Promote Your Business on Social Media Platforms
There are over 4.6 billion social media users worldwide. As a result, social media platforms can be a treasure trove of new business if used correctly.
You can start by creating a free page on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
Next, stay in touch with prospective customers by updating your social media pages with helpful content. Social media platforms are great for sharing your blog content and adding value to your followers.
Another fantastic strategy is to integrate your social media feeds into your website. The tactic helps you engage with website visitors and earn more social media followers. The POWR Social Feed plugin is a quick and easy tool for adding your social media feed to your website.
4. Be a Proactive Networker
As a small business owner, you don't know the source of your next ample opportunity. That's why meeting and connecting with people in your community is crucial to getting business visibility. In addition, you can use apps like Meetup to learn about relevant upcoming events.
Another great strategy is to list popular niche conferences and find ways to participate. You can even host a community event like a neighborhood game night or a charity.
5. Use HARO to Get Free Media Coverage
Advertising in reputed publications can be costly. Running paid ad campaigns can cost you thousands of dollars. But you don't need to feel like you're hitting a roadblock.
PR is a great way to get quick visibility without burning precious dollars.
An excellent way to start is to create a free account on HARO. HARO connects you to journalists seeking expertise for their upcoming content pieces. Share expert tips with niche journalists, and you can earn valuable media mentions for your business.
6. Write High-Quality Guest Posts
Another superb small business marketing strategy is to write guest posts for high-quality niche publications. Then, you can pitch your stories to respected publications and start expanding your audience for free.
Before emailing blog editors, make sure you read through the guest posting guidelines of each respective publication. Plus, you can use a guest blogging email template to start pitching your ideas.
Guest blogging is a spectacular strategy to position yourself as an industry expert and attract more excellent sales revenue.
7. Offer Free Product Samples
A free sample lets customers learn about a product's key features and benefits. In addition, experiencing a product helps them make their purchase decision.
For instance, by selling physical products like cereals, you can hand them out through kiosks at local events. Or, if you've built a subscription-based software, you can offer a free product trial for a week.
Offering products or services for free is a terrific way to enthrall your prospects and begin a new relationship with them. The creative marketing strategy also helps test market products and understand customer feedback.
8. Create a Referral Program
Studies show that 92% of consumers trust referral recommendations of people they know.
A referral program is a strategy to spread the word about your business. The ideal way to start is to announce a commission to anyone to get you a new customer.
You can also offer fixed payments for each new lead. Finally, don't forget to create a search-optimized website page to share the program details with prospective partners.
9. Participate in Awards
Does building business credibility seem enigmatic? Industry awards can be a great way to build a reputation for your business. And, it won't cost you more than a few hundred dollars to participate. An award is a validation of the merit of your products, services, and business acumen.
If you win, you can feature the achievement on your business website and social media pages.
10. Create an Introductory Video
According to Hubspot, nearly 9 out of 10 people want to see more videos from the brands they love.
Narrating an honest account about how you started your business is a great way to build trust with your target audience. And what better strategy than creating a video communicating how you wish to change customers' lives through your products and services. Here's an excellent example from The Founders Brewing Company.
Final Thoughts
When you're on a budget, marketing may seem mountainous. But when you sit down and list low-cost marketing ideas, plenty can be of them. And then, you can boil it down to those strategies that might work better for your small business. So, are you ready to start marketing your business more intelligently?
Author Bio:
Abhishek Talreja is an international freelance writer and a seasoned content marketer. He is the founder of Prolific Content Marketing.
Website: http://prolificcontentmarketing.club
