7 Ways to Promote Your Business for Free
There are many ways to promote your business that will cost you nothing, or at least very little.
But it does take some initiative, creativity, innovation and a little hard work. Here are seven practical ways to promote your business for free that really work.
1) Just Ask
Talk to your advocates, your best customers, the ones who are always really happy with what you do for them. Ask them how they are doing, ask them what you can do for them, let them know how they can help you find new business. After all, the stronger your business, the better you can serve them.
Talk to other business owners you know. Tell them what you do for your customers and describe your ideal customer.
Talk to your accountant, your bank manager and other professionals who support you. Make sure they know what you do and that they are on the look out for new business opportunities for you.
And finally, when someone asks how you are doing, never say “tearing mad!” or “roaring busy!” Instead try, “business is good, but I am always looking for more!”
For more ideas on building a referral based business, check out The Power of Referrals.
2) Strategic Partnerships
Working with another business with common target customers can be a great way to promote your business. You can double your effectiveness by collaborating on marketing initiatives. For example, an accountant and a solicitor can run a joint seminar on finance, tax and inheritance, an electrician and a plumber can print a label with contact details for both businesses to be placed on all equipment that they service or repair, a hair dresser and a beautician can agree to cross refer clients to each other. So who do you know that offers a different product or service to your target customers. Call them to discuss how you can work together.
3) Free Advertising
There are many places where you can advertise for free. Are you making the most of them? Opportunities include community notice boards in local shops and shopping centres. Most towns have community websites which promote local businesses. Or be more creative, what about a roadside sign congratulating your local team on their recent success? Or a mock election poster to attract attention? (But do check local planning regulations first). And don’t forget to make sure that your car or van are promoting your business everywhere you go.
4) Press Releases
Local free newspapers need good local news stories to interest readers and this can be a good opportunity for business owners. Simply come up with a newsworthy angle: local entrepreneur makes good, new office opening, more jobs, international exports, new product offers great benefits etc. and write a short piece. It needs to be news, not a blatantadvertisement, and should start with the punch line followed by a general overview and then the backup detail. Include an eye-catching photo where possible. Email the story to the editors of the local papers. Your story may not be picked up the first time, you may need to try a number of different angles but be persistent. Press releases can be a free, yet effective, form of advertising.
5) Seminars
Everybody who starts a business has specific knowledge and experience in an area of interest to others. It may be the latest ideas on diet and exercise, information on parenting and childcare or personal financial management. It could even be advice on starting a business! It is simply a matter of finding groups interested in your area of expertise. Again, it should be useful information, not a blatant sales pitch, but do take the opportunity to let your audience know what you do and how you can be contacted.
6) Social and Business Networking Websites
With the explosion in social and business networking websites, it is well worth making sure that you and your business are profiled appropriately. Business networking websites such as LinkedIn and Xing also feature 3rd party recommendations. Many colleges and universities have alumni websites which can be used to subtly promote your business. And, of course, social websites such as Facebook also allow pages to be set up to profile businesses and organisations.
7) Competitions and Awards
Competitions and Awards can be a great way to get free publicity for your business. At a national level, it is worth considering the Enterpreneur of the Year Awards sponsored by Ernst and Young, InterTradeIreland’s Seedcorn competition for business plans and Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies Awards. There are many sector events such as the Golden Spider Awards for websites and the Irish Franchise Association Awards. Radio and newspapers often run regional and local competitions and awards. And if there is none that suit you, more than one business owner has made up their own awards, and won! Competition and Awards can take some effort, so select events that have spin off benefits for the business.
So why not pick just one, two or three of these ideas and get working on them straight away?
Source: www.mybusiness.ie