When you’re ready to market your business, you may feel overwhelmed, especially if you have a small budget. The good news is that marketing your business and generating brand awareness doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. Utilizing a couple of free or low-cost techniques could generate awareness for your brand and position your business as an industry professional.
If you’re looking to increase your brand awareness, we have a couple of ways to market your small business on a budget—or even on no budget at all.
- Create a Google My Business account
If you want your business to show up in local searches, a Google My Business account is a necessity. Google My Business is free and an easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations looking to manage their online presence across Google. This includes Search and Map results. So when prospective clients are looking online for your services, your business is more likely to come up as an option.
- Build a free email list for e-blasts
Every business owner should have an email list! However, when you are just starting out, you likely don’t know where to begin. You should avoid committing to a monthly fee charged by many email management services. Fortunately, some offer a free option for businesses with smaller lists. For instance, MailChimp offers its service for free for businesses with fewer than 2,000 subscribers. MailChimp is a web-based email marketing platform that helps you design email newsletters, share them on social networks, integrate with services you already use, and track your results.
- Contribute to an industry publication
Advertising in trade magazines can cost thousands of dollars, but contributing an article could be free. Many magazines accept guest contributions, and may let you promote your business. Find a special aspect of your business and write about it. Don’t forget to send two to three photos. Sending your photos with your article could increase the chance of your article being selected for publication.
- Attend local networking events
Check out local business events, or see what events your local chamber or small business association is hosting. These events offer many opportunities to connect with other small business owners, share ideas and learn about emerging trends in your industry.
- Co-sponsor a contest
Contact a complementary business in your area and suggest hosting a contest together. This can be a great way to cross-promote your businesses. You can also partner with a local non-profit such as an animal shelter or food pantry to host volunteer events or donation drives. This positions your business as a partner in the community while increasing brand awareness.
Utilizing Facebook Live is a great way to engage clients and build brand awareness. Best of all it’s free!
- Utilize Facebook Live
Use Facebook Live to demonstrate yourself as an expert in your industry. Offer valuable advice and information that you know is relevant to your audience. As members see the value you are providing, they will want to find out more about you and what you offer.
esd and associates is the leading authority in new media marketing with a proven track record in obtaining the best results for clients looking to expand their digital presence.
Call us at 210-348-8008 or email getresults@esdandassociates.com to get started today!