Karen Repoli — December 9, 2016 Follow @karenrepoliWhether you’re a new business owner or a veteran, you are probably looking for the most effective free or low-cost methods for marketing your business. You can have the best product or service in the world but it does no good if people don’t know about it. For many start-ups the problem is a budget. No worries, check out my list of free or low-cost marketing tactics. I have used these for my clients and myself during ten years in business.
Publish Incredible Content
Notice I didn’t use the word “good” or “adequate.” That’s because average or mediocre content just won’t cut it in today’s virtual marketing environment. There is a world of information at your target audiences’ fingertips every day. To be seen you have to stand out with high-quality content that outshines your competition. If you skimp on this tactic, you will regret it in the future. That mediocre content you posted back in the early days of your business? It never goes away and will come back to bite you in the butt.
Participate on Reddit
Reddit, a bare-bones social network self-titled as the “front page of the internet,” can be a powerful tool when used strategically. Reddit is composed of a very tech-savvy audience that bristles at any obvious marketing tactics.
DIY Infographics
Infographics are insanely powerful marketing tools. They’re visual eye candy, they’re easy to digest, and people love to share them, so they’re a great way to drive up referral traffic and links. Hiring a designer to make you an A+ infographic can hit your wallet hard, but you can make your own on the cheap if you don’t mind a bit of a challenge. There are programs on line that can help you. Some of these are Canva, Easel.ly, Picktochart.
Give New Life to Old Data – Recycle Your Content
You can essentially transform any type of content into any other type of content. Take old content that you have which is still relevant and useful for your audience, and see how many other formats you can transform it into. There are three general ways to repurpose content: Rewriting, recombining, and reformatting. Learn more about repurposing your content here.
Joint ventures
In joint ventures, businesses work together to share knowledge, profits, and markets. Joint ventures can take on a variety of structures. Small companies can combine to take on the “big sharks” in their industry. While big companies will form alliances with faster and smaller businesses with the right potential, it’s also possible for smaller companies to form an alliance with companies that have a big name and by doing so expand their geographic reach. Learn more about joint ventures and the opportunities they present here.
Create a Google My Business Page
This is a great way to boost your online visibility. This listing will make your business easy to find on Google Search and Google Maps. It will also allow Google+ users to easily review your business. As local business reviews increase, your search engine rankings will also improve. It would also be a good idea to add your business to the Yahoo Local listing.
Turn Social Media into a Promotion Machine
Social media is no longer a “nice-to-have” tactic of your marketing plan. It allows you to meet prospective clients where they are (on Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Savvy entrepreneurs will take advantage of social media to improve their reach and gain more clients. Most households and businesses today have a computer and internet connection. Even McDonalds offers Wi-Fi to their patrons! So you don’t need a huge marketing budget to harness the power of online marketing. If you are a solopreneur, social media is a cost-effective way to market your business. It is a powerful marketing tactic and it’s free.
Blogging
Blogs have become an important part of marketing for almost any type of online business. There are unmatched resources when it comes to connecting with customers and potential customers. It can also enhance any websites natural search results through regular postings, and natural keyword placement. If you’re not a writer, consider outsourcing post creation and posting.
Remember, when looking for free or low-cost marketing tactics, don’t be afraid to try new things. There are so many methods and techniques you can use to market your business. Although you may not be an overnight success, the time and effort you put into taking your business to the top will make it that much sweeter when you do succeed.
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