14 Low and No Cost Ways to Market Your Small Business
As a small business owner, you’re always looking for different and creative ways to market your business –
without going over budget. And if you find a way to market your business that doesn’t cost any money, you
might just be willing to give it a try.
Please keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “free lunch”. Everything has a cost – if not money, then
most definitely time and effort. This is not the first time you’ve heard this, and it won’t be the last.
Before you do anything, I highly suggest that you have an “elevator schpeel” prepared. This is a ten second
speech describing who you are and what you do. This will come in useful when you are busy marketing
your business. Write it down and memorize it. Practice delivery until it comes naturally and sounds
unrehearsed. For instance,
1. Network – get your face out there!
a. Become a member of your local Chamber of Commerce and attend their meetings. If you’re
the shy type, go anyway. Ask questions about the people you meet – what they do, what’s
been a challenge in their industry, how they got into their type of business…the list of
possible questions is endless. People love to talk about themselves. All you have to do is ask
a couple of good questions, and actively listen.
2. Network Online
a. There are a lot of ways you can network online. Here are just a few to get you started.
i. www.partnerup.com
ii. www.womanowned.com
iii. www.manta.com
iv. www.facebook.com
v. www.twitter.com
vi. www.linkedin.com
3. Write articles on topics related to your business expertise and post online in related sites.
a. A well-written article can increase business while a poorly-written one can ruin your
credibility.
b. So if you don’t think you can write well, find a freelance professional who can at
www.elance.com or www.guru.com. Remember that you get what you pay for, so don’t
expect great work for $5 an article.
i. Free article submission directory sites:
1. www.articleonlinedirectory.com
2. www.web-articles.info
3. www.ezinearticles.com
4. www.articlesbase.com
4. Send out press releases.
a. Please remember that a press release has to contain information that’s newsworthy and
engaging enough to catch the reader’s eyes and keep him interested enough to read what’s
written.
i. You can write a press release yourself – basic guidelines can be found on www.pressrelease-
writing.com. Or you can hire one of their professionals for a fee.
ii. You can also hire a freelance writer from www.elance.com or www.guru.com.
5. Sponsor a school team
a. School teams are always looking for sponsors. You could sponsor a school team carwash by
providing materials or a location. Talk to your local elementary, junior high and high school
– even private schools – don’t limit yourself to sports. The chess team, drama club, art
department or debate club might want some t-shirts, hats, or even volunteer time in exchange
for some free advertising via clothing or a handmade banner. At the very least, you’ll get
word-of-mouth promotion from the school and parents.
6. Partner up with another entrepreneur when promoting your business.
a. If you send out direct mail like brochures or letters promoting yourself, include a business
card from another business that will reciprocate the favor.
i. Your partner business doesn’t need to complement yours. You could be a lawyer or
accountant partnering with a dry-cleaning business or a yogurt shop. Don’t limit
yourself to partnering with industry-related businesses. Clients come from many
places.
7. Give something FREE to promote business.
a. Remember when Starbuck’s used to give out free coffee at certain times on a specific day?
Lines would go around the corner! People love free stuff!
b. This works for any business. You can be a frozen yogurt shop giving away a free scoop to
the first 33 customers of the day. If you’re a realtor, you can send free wildflower seed
packets in your next mailer. Your options are limited only by your imagination.
8. Leave company pens
a. Get your company name and contact information – phone # and website at the very least
printed on some pens. Every time you go to a grocery store, bank, or retail establishment,
leave one by the register. You never know who will need to use that pen – could be your
next customer. Check out the following sites:
i. www.discountpens.com
ii. www.pensrus.com
iii. www.4imprint.com/pens
9. Put your company name, tagline and contact info on every piece of paper you send out.
a. All your faxes, post-it notes, bill payments, receipts, business cards, thank you
cards…everything should have at the very least, your company name, phone number and
website.
10. Promote your business online.
a. In this day and age, if you don’t have an online presence, it’s going to be more difficult to
make money. By being online, you take your customer base from local to global. You can’t
afford NOT to be online.
b. At the very least, you have to have a website. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a web guru
to have one. You can hire someone to build you a website, or you can do it yourself. I
encourage you to at least give it a try. Take a couple of hours and set one up. If you think
it’s not your cup of tea, then hire someone. Some companies that have made it easy and
inexpensive are:
i. www.microsoft.com – free website hosting and email
ii. www.godaddy.com – $10 for 1 year of hosting
iii. www.top-10-web-hosting.com – list of sites that host and price comparisons
11. Promote your business on the radio or local television stations. This might take a little bit of
research on your part, but the results might be worth it. Find out who the host of a local talk show or
business show is and let him/her know that you are willing and available to share your knowledge
and experience on their show.
12. Promote your business by becoming a speaker at a seminar. Your local Chamber of Commerce or
other business club hold meetings regularly. Volunteer to share your expertise…and promote your
business at the same time!
13. Use your vehicle as a moving billboard. Many businesses post a magnetic sign on their vehicle to
advertise. Find some low cost magnets at:
a. www.vistaprint.com
b. www.buildasign.com
c. www.magnetamerica.com
14. Promote your business wherever you go. Put your company logo and contact information on your
golf bag, your gym bag, baseball cap, computer bag…everything. You’ll be surprised at how many
people actually notice.
And there you have it. There are limitless ways of marketing yourself. I have listed a mere 14 out of
thousands. Try two or three combinations at a time. If one doesn’t work after one month (give it a chance),
stop doing it – sometimes it’s just not a fit for your type of work. Don’t force the fit.