Marketing ideas for small business are necessary, especially if you want your business to thrive.
However, it can be hard to think of effective small business marketing ideas especially for a business owner on a budget.
You might wonder, “How can I reach potential customers and expand my existing customer base?”
Here are a few creative marketing ideas for small business that will put you out there without breaking the bank.
10 Most Affordable Marketing Ideas for Small Business
Building your brand requires a marketing investment. It requires effort and time, especially if you’re starting from scratch.
However, marketing to the world doesn’t have to cost much money.
Try these ten low-cost or free marketing ideas to put your small business on the map.
1. Publish Quality Content
Maintaining your business website and regularly providing quality content is a highly effective online marketing strategy.
You don’t need a huge budget to get this done, as this method relies on your authority and expertise with your product and services. You should be able to address users’ common concerns.
Ranking on the search engine results page is an effective way to bring traffic to your site without spending on expensive marketing tools.
You can use free analytics tools online to help you know what people are looking for and how your content can rank in search engines.
You don’t have to be overly technical with your published content. Show your expertise with easy-to-understand language and help people get the answers they need.
Post about different topics related to your business and organically use essential keywords.
2. Maintain Good Relations With Existing Customers
Nothing beats the word-of-mouth marketing strategy. What better way to do that than by maintaining your relationship with paying customers?
If they enjoy your products and services, they can quickly bring in new customers through conversations.
NOTE: You can also collect a customer satisfaction survey from loyal customers to learn what your business can improve.
3. Have a Google Business Profile
Having a verified profile helps people find your business online much faster.
It can appear on the local section of Google search, Google Maps, and the right-side knowledge panel for branded searches.
You can arrange your verification through your Google My Business account to optimise your business profile.
This will allow you to update your business’s details and look into people’s questions about your business.
4. Make the Most of SEO
Search Engine Optimisation is one of the most common Internet marketing tactics.
You can tailor your social media to your target market. If your content is optimised, it can appear in search engines when people ask for specific information about your business.
You can use many free tools online, like Google Analytics, to help monitor your website and social media apps’ performance.
Local SEO is also a great way to target those in your area about your business.
5. Partner With Other Local Businesses
You can develop partnerships within your industry if they aren’t with your direct competitor.
Having joint projects or hosting events and promotions for a short period can cost little time and money.
Not only will you have stronger connections with your community, but you’d be growing as businesses alongside like-minded entrepreneurs.
6. Maximise Your Social Media Channels
Social media platforms can be compared to most community bulletin boards nowadays. Instead of finding information in local cafes or community centres, businesses have become accessible with a simple finger tap.
Social media marketing has become one of the most common ways to reach new customers.
Constantly update your social media accounts with creative posts, videos, and prompts to engage your target audience.
Besides having your own website, properly managing your social media platform is necessary for digital marketing and enticing potential customers.
7. Establish a Customer Referral Program
If you already have a great relationship with your current customers, you can leverage that bond to reach even more potential customers.
You can galvanise existing customers to bring in new ones by offering them perks and discounts in exchange for helping you reach a broader market.
8. Reach Out To Social Media Influencers
If there’s anyone who knows more about social media engagement, it’s influencers.
Usually, larger businesses would pay these influencers a lot to promote their business.
However, if you reach out to growing influencers that align with your brand purpose, you can offer to give a few freebies encouraging them to share via their social media channels.
Remember to put your best foot forward and show these influencers that your products and services are worth trying. This is the best way to reach a wider audience based on the influencer’s current following.
9. Attend Local Events
You can usually meet other local business owners by joining a professional organisation or attending events.
It’s a great way to connect with other business professionals and learn from their experiences in their respective industries.
Whether it’s a networking event or the business awards, free up your schedule and get your suit and tie ready for these events.
10. Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great free marketing tactic that allows you to stay connected to your current customers or reach out to new ones who showed interest in your business.
Arrange a segment on your website where visitors can subscribe to receive emails and newsletters from your business.
The content of these emails can include promotions, deals, and new products for your customers to look into.
FAQs
You may have more questions on marketing ideas for small businesses.
We’ve gathered the most common ones to help you with your research.
Can Business Loans Help With Marketing My Business?
Whether you want to try a bigger or more costly marketing tactic or are interested in investing in marketing materials, applying for a small business loan with Lumi can provide you with the funding you need to cover your marketing expenses.
This can be a great option for small business owners who want to expand their business and receive more customers.
How Much Should a Business Spend on Marketing?
The money you spend on your marketing usually depends on who you ask.
As a general guide, for most businesses, it’s advised to invest at least 5% to 10% of your revenue for marketing purposes.
However, bigger businesses can spend a lot more since they can have a higher return on investment for their niche.
Learn to balance it out and ensure you get your money’s worth when marketing.
Conclusion
Marketing can be expensive but worthwhile and there are always more cost effective options to explore. These are just some more affordable marketing ideas you can try to help your business grow faster.
Add them to your marketing plan and help your business stand out with these effective and affordable tactics.
