If you have decided to start a small business, chances are high that you don’t have a huge budget at your disposal. Even if you are already running a successful business and have funds you can use for marketing, why not make the most of these inexpensive ways to promote your company? Take a look below for some useful and affordable methods.
Join social media
After doing some market and audience research, you will see which social media platforms are prevalent among your target customers. If you are working with other businesses, joining LinkedIn might be the best approach. Younger crowds tend to go to Twitter and Instagram so cover your bases there as well. If the demographic you are targeting is young, you might even use various memes and jokes to catch their attention. Of course, you can also use Facebook and its ads to reach the right people. What is more, if you are offering a product, you can create short instructional videos and post them on YouTube where you can also create a devoted community.
Start a blog
In addition to quality videos, you can also use your words to reach your target audience. For example, starting a blog is an amazing way to spread the word about your business and gain authority in your field. Not only will you give your potential customers some useful advice but you will also subtly and carefully guide them towards purchasing your products. What is great here is that you can easily collaborate with other individuals and companies that also have a blog. You can write for their blog and provide their readers with a unique article, and vice versa. This way, you might also gain respect among their audience and get more clients.
Join business directories
There are many online business directories where you can list your company in order to be noticed. For example, Google My Business, Yelp, TripAdvisor and Yellow Pages are all free and allow you to post your info so that your potential customers can find you easier. Provide them with your business name, address, website and phone number and encourage them to contact you if they have further questions. You should also let them leave comments and reviews and ask your satisfied clients to rate their experience and write something.
Organize seminars
You can also use your online presence to promote a seminar or webinar you will be hosting. You obviously have experience and knowledge in a certain field, or you wouldn’t have started your own company. Well, share that expertise and use it to establish authority and gain more customers. By teaching them how to do something on their own and offering a discount to all those that attend, you will be expanding your audience.
Add an entrance mat
Promoting your business online is not all that matters. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, you also need to make it presentable and tidy. By adding custom door mats with your logo near the entrance, you will ensure that space is kept clean as no dirt and moisture from the outside will be brought inside. Plus, a mat will also reduce the risk of slips and falls. Most importantly, you will leave a good first impression as the mat is usually the first thing the visitors see when they enter your premises and a branded mat will complement your marketing efforts.
Brand your packaging
If you sell products, you can incorporate your logo in the packaging as well. For example, design your packaging in such a way that it will always show off the name of your company. In addition, offer branded tote bags to your customers instead of plastic bags. Seeing as how these are reusable, not only will you be helping the environment but you will also be getting some free promotion every time a customer uses that bag.
Give out freebies and promotional items
Besides the tote bags which you can charge for or not, you can also consider gifting your customers will all sorts of other promotional items. For example, putting your logo on a notepad and pen which you will give every customer that spends a certain amount of money in your store means that they will think of you every time they use them. Maybe that will lead to a new purchase. If you decide to organize a seminar or a similar event, you can give out T-shirts, caps, umbrellas or anything else you wish to put your name on.
Don’t forget about word-of-mouth promotion
We talked about asking customers to leave reviews and having your company promoted every time they use your branded freebies but another form of promotion is something you will get if you are providing your clients with a quality service. Once a customer is satisfied with what you bring to the table, they will tell their friends who might also need your services. This is called word-of-mouth promotion and is completely free given that you are good at what you do.
Turn your vehicle into a mobile billboard
In case you have a company vehicle that you use to get around and do deliveries, you should consider turning it into a mobile billboard. You can easily add your logo to your vehicle and keep it simple or you can take it to the next level by covering the entire vehicle in company colours and making a statement.
Furthermore, you should ensure the people driving the car have a uniform or at least a shirt that also shows off your business name and logo.
Hand out business cards
Finally, we cannot forget the staple of promotion – business cards. Regardless of technology and various ways to find each other online, giving someone your business card when you meet is still one of the best ways to leave an impression. By putting your name, phone number and website on it, the person will be able to look you up once they get home and see all the great reviews your satisfied customers have left.
Conclusion
As these ten examples have showcased, there are many ways to promote your business on a small budget – you just have to think a bit outside of the box. Good luck!
