Thanks to the popularity of social media, marketing is simpler and more effective than ever before. However, advertising still requires time and careful research, and lack of budgeting resources is among the top marketing challenges for companies big and small.
If you have limited capital for your startup and a non-existent marketing budget, you’re probably wondering how you will attract buyers and start turning your concept into cash. Marketing your small business may be a time-consuming endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Here are five ways to advertise your products for free.
Start a Blog
Starting in the current digital climate is perhaps the smartest way to make your business known. That said, it’s no easy feat. You will need to put time and energy into maintaining your site and see it as a crucial part of your marketing strategy, but your input will pay off. Sign up with a free blogging platform like WordPress or Blogger, and start creating regular, high-quality content that draws potential customers to your product. If you don’t have time to write your posts, you could offer the gig to a new writer looking for experience.
Use Social Media
Social media is the greatest marketing platform you have at your disposal, and it’s free, therefore you’d be crazy not to utilise it. Research which platforms are most useful for your niche (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and use them to advertise your products or services. You can use sites like Facebook to sell your products directly or link to an external e-commerce site.
Take Advantage of Free Software
If you don’t have the budget to pay a professional marketing company, there is an abundance of free and inexpensive programs available online, including packaging design software, website banner makers, and social media management platforms like Buffer and Hootsuite. You can also use sites like Survey Monkey for data-driven marketing, or if you want to receive more customer feedback.
Go to Events
Although the Internet is probably the most powerful free marketing tool at your disposal, word of mouth can still be effective. Find out about local business events in your area (or, if you’re an online business, events that are relevant to your niche) and ask if you can come along. You can make contacts and tell others in your industry about your business and hopefully generate some interest. Don’t forget to take along some business cards (which you can also design online for free) so you can keep in touch with your new business contacts.
Send Samples to Reviewers
Another great way to spread the word about your small business is to give product samples to high profile reviewers. YouTube is an excellent platform for this, but you’ll need to be selective about who you ask for a review and be mindful that they are entitled to be honest. Make sure your product is relevant to their audience, or you will be wasting your time.