36 Low-Cost Small Business Marketing Ideas
By Liz Jammal
Marketing on a small budget is tough, but not impossible. There are plenty of creative,
low-cost ways to promote your small business without breaking the budget. Sometimes the simplest
ideas are the most effective. I've gathered 36 small business marketing ideas to spark your
creativity, all you need to do is set aside some time and get planning!
1. If you don't have a website, create one with WordPress. There are hundreds of templates
to choose from that you can simply edit to create your content.
2. Create a blog area on your website and post content to it. The hard part is creating
interesting and relevant content that is not a hard sell. Try writing about best practices
for your industry, create top 10 lists, interview thought-leaders and summarise the conversation,
prepare step-by-step "how-to" instructions with examples or invite others to write a guest
blog. Be creative with the format - text, video, audio files, podcasts, slides or PDF.
3. Write an e-book on an in-depth topic and offer it as a free download in return for
lead information, such as email addresses.
4. Create a Google business account if you have a physical location and fill it with
content about your business, contact information, and good quality photos.
5. Claim other relevant business listings such as Trip Advisor, Sensis, Yelp, HotFrog
or Local Business Guide, for other ways to be found.
6. Collect email addresses via a sign-up form on your website and email these people
your latest blog post, information about new products or promotions.
7. Create short instructional videos, they don't have to be expensive or elaborate, just
ensure you have good lighting and clear sound.
8. Once you have a steady stream of content, you can re-purpose existing content, re-write
old posts with new perspectives or up to date information, or turn a written post into an infographic.
9. Offer 30 minutes of free consulting services, but put some basic screening in place
so that you're not flooded with time wasters.
10. Contribute an article or write a guest blog post for another website that is in some
way aligned or related to your own business.
11. Join social media communities centered around your subject area of expertise. Comment
on other people's Facebook, LinkedIn, blog post, or forums with valuable information or advice.
12. Create a customer referral program with a reward to encourage your customers to refer
new customers. Or if it's suitable, run a "bring a buddy for free" promotion.
13. Attend small business events related to your industry and write about what you learned
to share with others on your blog and social media.
14. Host a free or low-cost webinar, class or workshop to teach your customers something
valuable or to attract new customers.
15. Create a LinkedIn or Facebook Group to share insights about your industry, help, and advice.
16. Google AdWords will often distribute free vouchers for advertising credit, collect
and use them when they're available.
17. Create infographics to distribute valuable information in a visual format with your branding.
18. Wear branded work clothing so that you are a human billboard for your business.
19. Vehicle branding is also useful, promote yourself while going about your daily business
(but drive responsibly. Otherwise it will have the opposite effect).
20. Provide free balloons with your branding at an event. Kids (and adults) love balloons
and will happily wave them around all day.
21. Give free products or offer your services as a prize for charity competitions. You're
doing a good deed for your community and getting your company name out there.
22. Volunteer your services in community projects, you'll feel good and may even find
partnership opportunities with other small businesses.
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