Low Cost
Marketing Ideas

Many small businesses can't afford large marketing budgets, but what you lack in cash you can make up for in creativity. Here are a few proven ideas to make the most of your budget.

PR - Send press releases to the media about news worthy events. Get involved with a non-profit organization that you feel strongly about and sponsor an event(s). You'll feel good about helping others and others will feel good about using your products and services.

Branding - Develop a consistent look for all of your marketing pieces (including letterhead, envelopes and business cards) through the use of your logo, tagline, colors, paper selection, etc.


Web - Create a professional online presence that works. Update your web site regularly (or consider a business blog) and keep it chock full of information for potential customers. Use best practice SEO tips to get your site ranked for important key phrases. Consider whether a targeted pay-per-click campaign could be a cost effective way to market your business.

Become an Expert - Establish yourself as an expert. Write articles for print publications and the web. Volunteer to speak at local meetings or sponsor a free seminar on your area of expertise. (Consider inviting other businesses to present related topics at the seminar, see Network in the Business Community below). Participate in forums and discussion groups on the web.

Network in the Business Community - Build relationships with non-competing businesses and develop creative ways to cross promote each other's services.

Referrals - Use your existing client base of happy customers to sell your wares. Stay in touch with your customers, thank them for doing business with you, and offer them an incentive to do business with you again.

Signature File - Use a "sig file" at the end of every e-mail. A sig file should include your name, company, contact information, URL for your web site, and tagline or statement that entices everyone who reads it to click on the link to your web site.