You want to grow your brand recognition and increase your website’s conversion ratio, but hiring a big-name marketing firm to make it happen just isn’t in your company’s budget right now.
Don’t worry.
Despite what those big-name marketing companies may try to tell you, it’s completely possible to come up with effective and free advertising ideas on your own.
Want to know how you can make it happen?
Read on to learn about five of the best advertising ideas that won’t put you in the red next quarter.
1. Start a Blog
Blogging tops our list of the best free marketing ideas for a good reason.
If you have a way with words (or just have a lot of industry knowledge to share with your target market) even just uploading two 500-word posts a week will make a big difference.
If you blog, you’ll have 434% more website pages that can be indexed than your competitors that don’t. How would you like to have an over 400% lead over your competition — without having to spend a dime?
Add a blog page to your existing website, or start a blog for free on sites like WordPress to start spreading the word about your business.
Make sure you add keywords, link to own your content and to other relevant websites, and blog on a regular schedule to stay relevant.
2. Get Affordable Promotional Products
If you look around your home or office right now, we bet you’ll see at least a few promotional/branded products that a company gave you for free.
Promo products are affordable, a great way to keep current customers and find new ones and make your company’s name more recognizable.
Rubber bracelets are especially effective for nonprofits looking to raise awareness about an upcoming fundraising event or their cause in general.
If you’re an IT company, you can invest in branded USB keys and even mousepads or mirrors that clip onto the top of a computer.
Above all, look for items that are consistent with the services you offer and the overall industry you work within. For example, a branded clothes hanger wouldn’t work as a cool marketing idea for a company that sells nutritional supplements. But, it would be perfect for a fashion house or clothing retailer.
3. Host a Music Festival in Your Office Parking Lot
If you want your company to succeed, one of the best places you can start is your local market.
It’s important to find creative marketing ideas that aren’t just budget-friendly, but that also show your local community you care and know what they want. Plus, the local market is a serious moneymaker.
Consider that online searches containing words like “near me” have increased by an astounding 900% over the past few years.
Get to know your local market by hosting a low-key music festival or meet-and-greet (with snacks!) in your office parking lot on the weekend or after hours. It’s a great place to pitch, hand out your business card, and even expand your professional network.
4. Claim Third-Party Listings
One of the advertising ideas on this list that no one, regardless of the size of their marketing budget, should ignore?
Claiming their listings on third-party review sites like Yelp and Google My Business.
Most people in today’s world take the time to read about what other people have to say about a product or company before they make a purchase.
You want to give people who are considering working with you in some way the chance to learn more about what you’re all about.
You can include your store hours, location and nearby transit options, photos of your products or office, and a summary of what you do. Most importantly, these platforms provide a place for past customers to leave online reviews of your company.
Plus, claiming your listing is completely free.
5. Dominate Social Media
Last but certainly not least, we strongly suggest that, if you haven’t already claimed all your company’s social media profiles, you do so right now.
Social media is free to start with, but it also offers several paid options that allow you to boost certain posts and get the word out to even more customers.
You can upload photos taken on your smartphone if you’re not much of a photographer, or hire a professional to take a few key pictures for your first posts.
Make sure you respond to comments, like and share pages and posts from other local businesses, and make at least one update a day.
Social media isn’t just about marketing.
Now, it’s also about customer service. Don’t forget to frequently check your company’s DMs or inboxes to ensure that customers haven’t reached out with a question about an order or product/service.
These Low-Cost Advertising Ideas Pack a Serious Punch
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars that your company doesn’t yet have to get effective advertising ideas.
Instead, know where the money you do have for marketing can be used most effectively. Do what you can on your own, and look for freelancers that can help you to fill in the gaps.
Need more advice on what it takes to start your own blog? Looking to master the basics of SEO? Curious about what you can do to stand out on social media?
No matter what you’re ready to sell, our blog has the advice you need to sell it in the best possible way.
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