- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Claim other relevant business listings such as Trip Advisor, Sensis, Yelp, HotFrog or Local Business Guide, for other ways to be found.
- 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.
- Create short instructional videos, they don’t have to be expensive or elaborate, just ensure you have good lighting and clear sound.
- 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.
- Offer 30 minutes of free consulting services, but put some basic screening in place so that you’re not flooded with time wasters.
- Contribute an article or write a guest blog post for another website that is in some way aligned or related to your own business.
- 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.
- 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.
- Attend small business events related to your industry and write about what you learned to share with others on your blog and social media.
- Host a free or low-cost webinar, class or workshop to teach your customers something valuable or to attract new customers.
- Create a LinkedIn or Facebook Group to share insights about your industry, help, and advice.
- Google AdWords will often distribute free vouchers for advertising credit, collect and use them when they’re available.
- Create infographics to distribute valuable information in a visual format with your branding.
- Wear branded work clothing so that you are a human billboard for your business.
- Vehicle branding is also useful, promote yourself while going about your daily business (but drive responsibly. Otherwise it will have the opposite effect).
- Provide free balloons with your branding at an event. Kids (and adults) love balloons and will happily wave them around all day.
- 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.
- Volunteer your services in community projects, you’ll feel good and may even find partnership opportunities with other small businesses.
- Sponsor non-profit organisations, such as local sporting teams, what better way to have fun and get your company logo in front of cheering spectators.
- Speak at events, seminars or conferences to share your ideas, thoughts, and experiences to demonstrate your knowledge within the industry.
- Piggyback local events and offer the crowds something of value, such as free advice or cupcakes with your logo on them.
- Partner up with other small businesses for co-promotions. A few small budgets combine to make a bigger budget with which to pursue new small business marketing ideas.
- Send hand-written birthday cards and thank you cards for thoughtful and memorable business relationship building.
- Ask for testimonials and reviews from your customers and put them on your website and social media.
- Share product samples to encourage trials or free products in return for a review.
- List your product or services on Gumtree, just be wary these people are usually looking for bargain basement deals.
- Run a competition with a prize and promote it through your social media networks.
If you found this helpful, I have more marketing articles on my VividMe blog: https://www.vivid-marketing.com.au/diy-marketing-blog/