1. Provide Educational Content

Every marketeer (and their dog) have been pushing the idea of drawing in customers with content. The so-called ‘content marketing’ strategy is real but it takes time. Think of ways you can create high-value/useful content for your ideal customers such as blog posts and informative emails. You could produce an infographic or video without breaking the bank. Creating content that is actually helpful to your target demographic is tremendously effective and a cheap way of getting your business out-there.

Among other things, quality content can boost your rankings in popular search engines such as Google or Bing. It can also go a long way to increasing your credibility with your target audience. Ultimately, this can persuade people to become your customers.

2. Get Active on Social Media

Most (if not all) social platforms are free to use and all have a massive reach with almost 3 Billion accounts registered worldwide. One of the main ways people stay in touch and engage with one another is now done over social networks. Social Media is an effective way for business to engage with their target audiences and to market to them. Are you taking advantage of this super cost-effective marketing opportunity?

Endeavor to get and stay active on the platforms where your customers are found. To boost the appeal of your accounts, use them to distribute and promote your educational content as opposed to promoting your products and services 24/7. This will draw people to you, likely resulting in a larger following and the potential for earning their business.

2. Create Your Own Business Award

While you can certainly apply for business awards in your industry, there are added benefits to instead creating your own award. Consider if you apply for an award and don’t win it, you get no recognition. However, by creating your own and encouraging various organizations to apply, you put your business on their radars. In addition, those who win will likely make it known to their customer bases and business connections, increasing your exposure.

Additionally, offering an award and sifting through lots of candidates to choose the best can show that you truly care about a certain cause or have high industry standards.

4. Be a Guest on a Podcast or Radio Shows

People are busier these days. They’re always on the go and the way they consume information and content is different – it’s more flexible. Some people can’t consistently be reached through other means such as written content. Others simply prefer to listen and learn. Whatever the case with your audience, being a guest on a relevant podcast or radio show can expand your reach. It can help you reach potential customers you may struggle to reach otherwise.

5. Host a Class or Other Event

The learning world has never been so popular. Education can now be consumed in so many different ways and locations; through new and old devices. Hosting or joining an education event such as a webinar, local class or workshop is a great way of helping the community learn whilst also getting your brand out there.

The same goes for other types of events. Offering the type of value your audience wants – a good time, a learning experience, etcetera – can generate excitement and increase the expose of your small business.

6. Partner With Another Business

Have you thought about partnering up with another business? Having a credible, complementary company promote your business (in exchange for the same service) is an excellent way to reach new potential customers and extending your brands reach.

Perhaps by collaborating on a product or service offering, doing a giveaway or hosting an event you could attract new customers? With two businesses promoting your business, the sky is the limit. Double the promotion can lead to outstanding results without the need for a large financial investment.

7. Create a Referral Program

Have you come across the term Referral? You could team up with your current customers to gain some low-cost promotion. By offering incentives to those who are ready and willing to refer others to you, you make way for increased exposure through word-of-mouth. You also instantly become a preferred businesses by those who are referred to you since most people trust personal recommendations.

8. Have a Sale or Offer Discounts

Few things get people more excited than sales and discounts. Use this to your advantage, especially since people aren’t known for keeping excitement to themselves. Often, they tell family and friends of special offers as well, likely resulting in more sales for your business from acquaintances, family members and friends.

After all, you already have products that’ll be on sale so it’s not as if you need to buy them. The same goes for services that you may plan to discount; you already have what’s needed to offer them. And since sales and discounts are usually for a limited time only, it won’t be a financial burden to offer them occasionally.

9. Network In-Person

It might be worthwhile to look into some networking groups in your area. You never know who you may meet there and how building relationships could benefit your business down the road. The same goes for finding and attending local business mixers and even trade fairs.

10. Order Printed Materials in Bulk

Whilst you mingle and network, it would valuable and helpful to pass out something by which people can remember and contact you. This could be a business card, a brochure, a flyer or perhaps even a piece of branded swag. Make sure your printed material and/or swag is evergreen so that you can save extras and use them again down the line.

You Can Market On a Tight Budget

Your budget may be small (for the time-being) but don’t panic!! You can still get your brand out there in a hugely effective way. All it takes is a little creativity, some determination and most importantly – consistency. If you put our suggestions into action, you’ll be counting seeing growth every month, then every week and perhaps after that, every day. The only limitation in this game is time – when you are not working on existing customers, you should be working on future customers. Remember, it’s only a short-term restriction – after time, your budget will grow and with it, so will your options but in the meantime, it’s down to grit and grind. #loveit.