If you think it is impossible to market your business for free, then you’re mistaken. Here are five free advertising tips for small businesses that you can try.
For small businesses with stringent budgets, it’s just not possible to dish out hundreds or thousands of dollars for a 30-second television commercial or a billboard. This can be frustrating if you don’t know any other way to market your business.
But hey, we’ve got the internet and anything has become possible! Let me show you.
Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time.
Henry Ford
Create a Google Business Profile
One of the most efficient free advertising tips your small business can do is to create a Google Business Profile to get found locally. This tool can boost your ranking in local searches. It can also connect you with consumers using Google Maps and the Google Search tool.
Additionally, having your small business rank high in local searches proves that you are a relevant and legitimate company. You also benefit from more eyeballs if your search ranking is high.
Attend Industry-Mixers and Networking Events
It’s always a smart idea to connect with other professionals inside or outside your industry, both online and offline. Attending local mixers and networking events that cater to your particular niche can help you meet high-quality leads.
Networking is a great way to get your name out there, identify growth opportunities, and meet potential clients, especially if you’re a startup.
Become Social Media Savvy
Creating a robust social media presence is a great and free way to allow potential clients to find your small business. Start by creating your pages on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Add more social media platforms as needed – you don’t have to be on every platform, choose platforms that are most relevant to your business. And don’t forget to link your social media profiles to your website.
Aim to post engaging and informative content several times per week. You can also offer a promo contest to entice folks to follow your pages. Interact with comments daily to ensure you’re building a trusting and reputable relationship with potential customers.
Create Social Media Ads
Now that you have social media pages, you can start running geo-targeted ads to attract more customers. Each platform has its own advertising rules, fees, and guidelines. Make sure to read those before publishing your ads to avoid going against their community standards.
You must also know who you’re targeting so you can zone in on your customers and target them based on their job titles, interests, age, and gender, among other criteria.
Write Guest Posts for Popular Blogs
Find an established blog within your industry and send them a cold pitch. Writing a guest blog can connect you to that site’s audience and establish your authority in your niche.
Some blogs allow guest writers to include one or two links back to their website or social media page. This provides you with an opportunity to bolster your domain authority and can increase traffic to your website.
With a little creative thinking, you can effectively market and advertise your small business online and in person for free.
