How to Advertise Your Small Business for Next to Nothing
When it comes to small businesses, your budget is always going to be fairly tight. You’re just getting your foot in the door and you need to advertise your business to new customers. Advertising in the current day and age doesn’t come cheap but there are plenty of things you can do to advertise your small business for next to nothing. Advertising is essential when it comes to your business, even if you sell the most fantastic products or services available how are you actually going to get sales without anyone knowing who you are? We’ve outlined a few points for you to help you get an idea of what you can do to advertise your small business, which can be seen below:
Post Adverts Locally
When it comes to a small business, you don’t want to jump right into google AdWords or huge banners across your location as the price will quickly chip away at any advertising budget you have. Start off small and humble; get an advert in the local newspapers and distribute flyers about your services/products to places within the area to establish your company at a steady pace for a cheap amount
Create Unique/Memorable Business Card
Taking from local adverts, business cards are also a fantastic way to advertise your company for a minuscule price. Creating a card which generates a lasting impression will be an invaluable tool to the success of your business, enabling customers to remember your brand fondly and recommend your services to friends and colleagues.
Assist Local Charities
By assisting local charities, not only will you feel good about helping those in need, but it generates a good image for your brand and can get your business some noticeable coverage locally, and perhaps even in the press.
Enter for Awards
Typically your industry will have an awarding body and entering for them is very simple and usually only includes writing an application form. If successful you could generate a lot local interest, and you’ll have an accolade to put on your website or business card, establishing confidence from customers in your small business.
Own A Website
Being online in today’s market is invaluable, it just can’t be ignored. Without a website your business has virtually no presence online and you will only be making things more difficult for yourself if you choose not to take this vital step. It really doesn’t cost that much to get set up, and after that point all that is needed is some maintenance and content update which is fairly simple to do
Start Social Media Accounts
This goes hand in hand with owning a website, in both importance and simplicity. In fact, setting up social media is a cakewalk and you should be able to get your company profile on Facebook, Twitter and others within mere minutes. Practically everyone is on social media and with this you can get engagement and live feedback from customers and reach out to new customers. Giveaways, competitions and such on social media can further advertise your business at very little expense to a broad audience. Find out more about how social media could benefit your company here.
Run A YouTube Channel
Along with Social Media and a Website, you have YouTube as well. Billions of people collectively use YouTube so why not get a channel for your business? It’s free! Free advertisement can’t be passed up, so get some videos on YouTube to create a way to get some engagement from old and new customers alike and advertise your company as a friendly and accessible one through all online mediums.
Press Releases
Press Releases are a great way to get into the more popular and read magazines and newspapers. These companies are always looking for news to place in their magazines and newspapers. Even if you think the press release isn’t typically the most exciting piece of news there’s still no harm in sending it out, could be a slow news day or just be the right thing they’re looking for at the time.
Write for your industries’ websites
Every sector of business has that one website where people will go to read information about the industry. With all those viewers, you could potentially have all eyes on you and your company if you can get a few guest posts on there. You will just need to ensure you create an engaging and insightful article so people don’t see your company in a negative light
Bring experts in to write on your website
Along with having your piece on other websites, having experts write on your website is also a great way to increase your presence in the market. This also will increase your google page ranking making you show up higher in the results, which is integral to success online.
While not every method will create success for everyone, these are all very inexpensive (some even free!) methods to help advertise your business. If you think you know another useful tip on how to advertise your business for next to nothing then feel to leave a comment!
Tags: advertise your small business, advertisements, cheap advertising