Everyone knows that if you expect to succeed in business you need to be marketing. But marketing is costly, right? Actually there are ways you can market your business that won’t cost you anything. Here are 11 ways to market for free.
1- Establish yourself as an expert
Write articles to your blog about your product or service daily. Post these articles on relevant e-zines, article directories, social media sites, and even in print media. You can also participate in forums and interest groups, and post links to your articles.
2- Social Media Marketing
Social Media is a way to go where your customers are and engage with them. There are many platforms for you to choose from, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube. Don’t forget Mobile Marketing as another great social media tool to engage with your prospects and customers.
3- Offer something for free
You can offer samples if you have a product, but by far the easiest is to offer a free e-book or report.
4- Have a competition or contest
Running a contest, competition or giveaway will generate interest in your business, product or service. Make sure to post your competition everywhere; in forums, groups and Social Media to maximise your response rate.
5- Use Word of Mouth Marketing
Get your existing customers engaged in your business through involving them with voting on new product ideas or making suggestions. You can use polls and contests where they can help name a new product or decide the colour scheme. If they enjoy the experience they will share it with their friends. You will therefore need to integrate Social Media for this to work.
6- Create an event
Events are a great way to promote your business. You can do seminars, webinars, workshops, networking or a launch of a new product.
7- Public Customer Service
Have an F.A.Q. section on your website or blog, and answer questions publicly on Social Media sites and in your articles. You can also answer questions on places like Yahoo answers, and LinkedIn Answers and in forums.
8- Networking
Networking in real time is an excellent way to add to your marketing. Make sure you go somewhere where you can make strong lasting relationships. This way you will get some great referrals.
9- Email Marketing
Build your list and then email them your offers. Invite them to your events and send them your special offers. Make sure that when you send an email the information you offer is valuable. This will ensure that your customers will look forward to your emails and that they will not end up in the trash, unopened.
1- Use the press
You can write a press release or you can offer help to a reporter. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is a good way to get publicity for your business.
If you use these free ways to market your business you will not only have a better chance at success, but you will be able to test what works so you can use it in paid advertising if you need to. This will help the success of your business.
11- Online Directories
Use Online Local and International Directories that will showcase your business and can be found on the first page of the search engines by someone who is looking for you. The more places you are listed the better chance you have of being found.
PurpleBiz is an international and local online business directory where you can have a listing that can be found online. Not only that, but you can showcase your business with video, pdf brochures and graphics with a link back to your site. Join today.
This article was written by Hannah Kramer from Attraction Marketing.
