Source – Unsplash – Stanisav Kondratiev
You’ve started a business! Now, your business is going through a growth spurt. Yet, nobody knows about it. Your target audience should know about your business. Maybe, like many other young businesses, there just isn’t the budget to get your name out there. That must be worrying in a world where small businesses can become lost in the crowd.
Don’t fret, there’s hope yet. Did you know there are plenty of cheap marketing options for new businesses? Yes, really! Here are five super-effective low-cost marketing methods for startups just like yours:
1. Give Clients & Customers A Way To Spread The Word
It can be extremely effective to give clients and customer gifts like promotional products. They don’t cost much, but they are far-reaching, especially if they look good and they are useful. If a client likes a branded calendar you gave them, your company name will be up in their office the entire year! That is just one product and one client, so imagine the effect of gifting lots of those items out, essentially placing advertising in households and offices across the country.
2. Social Media Matters
There are 2.45 billion monthly active Facebook users worldwide, and that is just Facebook. There are so many people to engage with, learn from and hopefully, sell to.
Yes, we know, business advertising on social media is expensive! But, you don’t have to invest in paid social media advertising right away. In fact, as you’re finding the voice and tone for your brand, it might be a good idea not to shout too loud. Experimenting cautiously is a really great idea, and it costs nothing.
3. Be The Brand
Networking is an extremely effective way to market yourself. If you’re representing the brand at an event, networking can be a cheap way to market the startup. Make sure that you attend the right events containing the kind of people in your target market. You may also meet people to bring in to your team. According to Hubspot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking, so it pays to attend conferences, tradeshows, and other events in your industry.
4. Make Yourself Known Locally
All businesses want to take over the world eventually, but in the meantime, why not establish your brand as market leaders locally? Local business is still business, and you never know where new connections will take you. Here are some easy, cheap ways to make an impact locally:
- Place some posters or banners in free, legal locations
- Place cards or leaflets in businesses that are related to your industry
- Connect with local businesses for mutually beneficial partnerships
- Place a stand at local events
- Raise money for a local charity
5. Get A Car Wrap
The average car is seen by up to 80,000 people every single day, depending on your route or parking spot. Getting a car wrap, or even just large car stickers could be an effective way to promote your business daily. Initial outlay could be chunky, but if that sticker lasts you six months, you’re looking at brand exposure to up to around 13.5 million people!
Advertising and marketing is an expensive game and at some point, you may want to heavily invest in professional strategies. In the meantime, there is plenty you can do to get your brand name out there. Follow our tips above, be creative and measure your results so you’re not taking the next steps blindly. Before long, people will know
