When trying to advertise your business, looking for cheap effective advertising comes naturally because the prospect of marketing your business can be really inundating; even more so when you are a small business with an equally small or maybe smaller budget.
The great news is that advertising doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars for it to be effective.
Here, I’ll share 20 ways you can advertise your business on little or no budget at all.
Table of Contents
1. Buy cheap ad space on YAIOA
YAIOA, meaning Your All in One Account, is a platform that avails you the opportunity to buy affordable ad space on popular websites.
You set up your account by registering on the platform as a client and then add funds to your YAIOA wallet then you click on the subscription button where you can search for the subscription plan that you want to subscribe for.
For example, search for “buy ad space”, put in the location, set your budget, and search. All the vendors (website owners) that fall within the category that you have put in then pop up so you have a variety to choose from.
You can then subscribe to the subscription plan of the website that best fits your business niche and whose audience is relevant to your business niche.
The vendor will then reach out to you for all the necessary details and information needed to run your advertisement on their site for the duration of time that was subscribed for.
2. Post amazing content on your blog
Your blog is where you direct visitors, develop relationships and nurture leads. It is the bedrock of all your other advertising and marketing efforts.
So, ensure to post regular content that meets the needs and interests of your audience.
3. Create a Google My Business account
It is very necessary that you have a Google My Business account especially if you want your business to show up in local search.
Having a Google my business account ensures that your business is visible on not only Google search but also on Google Maps and Google+.
4. Build an email list
I know how you would not like to commit to the monthly fee that is charged by a lot of email management services, but as a business owner, it is pertinent that you have an email list.
The essence of having an email list is so that you can send out email newsletters, promotions, or updates.
Initially, it will only cost your time but as your subscribers keep growing, you will need to start paying for the email management services.
The good news is that some of these email management services offer a free option for businesses with smaller email lists.
For example, you can start with MailChimp which offers its email management services for free for businesses with less than 2,000 subscribers.
When you are ready to take things up a notch, aWeber starts at just $19 per month.
5. Write articles to specific industry magazines
Unlike advertising in trade magazines which can cost thousands of dollars, contributing an article to a magazine is absolutely free. So many magazines accept guest articles and will let you promote your business in your bio.
6. Attend local networking events
Be on the lookout for local business events, or see what events your local chamber or small business association is hosting and endeavor to be in attendance.
Attending such events helps you meet the right people, network and put your business out there, in the hearts of people.
7. Co-sponsor a contest
Contact a complementary business in your niche and suggest partnering together to host a contest. This is a great way to cross-promote both businesses.
For example, a florist can liaise with a delivery company to organize a contest. This way, both businesses are being promoted, and at the same time creating awareness for both brands.
8. Create an affiliate program
Creating an affiliate program works better for those that offer digital products (eBook, etc). You can set up an affiliate program with services like E-junkie. It can cost as little as $5.
9. Try out Guest Posting
Guest posting is a really great way to reach out to new audiences. Seek out websites whose content is similar to your business and whose audience can relate to your business and post on their sites. Always remember to include a link back to your site.
10. Comment on blogs
Do not be an online ghost. Strive to be noticed by blog owners and their visitors by leaving comments on blogs. Do not just leave any kind of comments.
Be sure to drop comments that are informative, appreciative or educative; comments that speak well of you and your brand and not hateful or derogatory comments.
11. Host Webinars
While hosting webinars can cost a lot of money, there are some companies that offer free or low-cost options for beginners. You can take advantage of these companies.
There are cheap options like Webinars OnAir (starting from $19.97 per month), or MeetCheap (starting from $9.97 per month).
The cheapest option, however, is Google Hangouts On Air and it is one hundred percent free.
12. Create Flyers and Handbills
Create your own business flyer to advertise your business. It is very simple, cost-effective, and a great way to get people talking about your company.
Creating your business flyer also enables you a way to track the number of people patronizing you just because they came across your flyer.
You can offer incentives or discounts to people who bring in your flyer as another way to make it a more effective advertising tool.
13. Use the Radio
While this may sound old fashioned because times have changed, bear it in mind that there are still millions of people that listen to public radio and so, it should not be ignored as a means of communication.
Radio ad rates can be relatively affordable and flexible but it all depends on the market, time, radio station, etc.
You have the options of the radio station creating the ad for you (which is not advisable because it can lead to dubious quality ads) or you can hire an agency to do it for you. You can also choose to do it yourself.
14. Advertise on your website
So many business owners think that it is only if they sell products online that they would need a website for their business. But the fact is that a website is very necessary for your business, no matter what type of company you have.
If a potential customer comes looking for companies in their local area on the internet and you are not online, your competitor who is online definitely has a greater advantage over you.
In order words, you should build a website that is beneficial to customers. Your website should leave a long-lasting and positive impression on your customers.
Having a poorly built website is one of the worst ways to advertise your company.
15. Social Media
Social media avails us so many free and excellent platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn that can be used for promoting your business.
If you still have your doubts about the effectiveness of social media for your business, try and check out the statistics on the internet.
16. Set up joint ventures
Merging with other businesses in your industry will enable you to get more visibility and potential customers in your business niche. Also, you will gain a lot of exposure that can give you new opportunities.
17. Utilize Facebook and Google’s free ad credits
Facebook and Google usually give free ad credit vouchers. You should take advantage of the free vouchers that they offer when you are signing up for services like web hosting or AdWords.
18. Write a press release for your small business
A press release simply means an announcement where you can give details about your business and the services you offer. So you should regularly update your audience with your press releases.
19. Get a Business Card
You should contact a printing service to make very appealing business cards for your business. The back of the business cards should offer specific coupon codes or freebies that can be used on your website or in your store.
20. Offer free product information on your site
You can create an eBook or other digital products to give away to the audience on your site. This is one great way to get visitors on to your list and in your audience.
Summary
In summary, I hope you find these 20 cheap effective advertising ideas and strategies very useful. You definitely can get great results out of your low advertising budget.
Advertising doesn’t have to be expensive for you to get your desired results and there are various cheap and affordable ways to get your business in the faces of its right audience.
