The term “small business” covers a pretty broad range of business, from Etsy shops to tech startups. But one thing most small businesses have in common is a limited budget, as well as limited personnel. It can be difficult for a small business to market itself, among big brands that can afford large, expensive advertisements and PR campaigns. Here are a few ways your business can successfully do marketing, without breaking the bank.
1. Partner Up
One of the best ways to get some cheap advertising for a small business is by partnering with another small business. You could choose a business that shares an audience with you, without being in direct competition, or partner with a small vendor to throw an event of some kind. Together, you can do things like offer prizes for online contests that will increase traffic to both of your websites, virtual desktop solutions, or offer package deals for a discounted price. Because you’re working with another business, you can share the costs of the project while sharing the benefits. You can even have a referral deal, offering discounts to customers if they also shop at your partner’s store. Plus, this is a great way to connect to others in your industry and start developing a supportive and lucrative network.
2. Start Content Marketing
Having an on-site blog is a great way to increase traffic to your website for no cost at all. Provided you have the writing skills, you can start creating content relevant to your industry, and updating it on a regular basis. You can also write for other blogs and forums that have relevant interests, directing readers to your website in subtle ways, without directly making a sales pitch. Writing content has the added benefit of showing customers that your business is still relevant, and that you are a business owner who cares about knowing their industry.