Simple Ways to Promote Your Business Without Spending

Do you have a business, be it online or offline, that you want to spread across the internet but you don’t have the starter kit and budget to do so?

The truth is, with the current setup of the web, you can actually make your business popular without even spending a single dollar. Although it might take a huge deal of your time. But hey, it’s  worth your while! It’s all about how you can leverage social media sites, blogs, online communities and even Google services. So, are you ready?

You have your flyers printed out, you’ve rented a billboard and dozens of tarpaulins hang in your town, but you are thinking of going beyond just your little town. Will radio and print advertising work? Probably, but they will cost you something for sure!

Not to downplay the power of print and radio, but with the digital age, your target demographic are probably connected online most of the time through their computers and smart devices. So, why not leverage that?

Think of it this way. People flock in a certain dessert because of this wonderful attraction. But no one is selling any kind of refreshment. What should you do? Sell lemonades, of course! Capitalise on people’s interests.

Almost everyone nowadays are, by default, going online for entertainment, news and to get information. There are millions of people on social media, thousands of people with similar interests on online forums, and many more.

So here are a few simple ways to promote your business online for free.

Join Facebook groups

Use Facebook search to find groups relevant to your place. For example, are you selling bicycles? Join your local cycling group on Facebook. Just be sure not to spam them.

Use Instagram and Pinterest

Among social media sites out there, Instagram and Pinterest are probably the most colorful and easiest to build an audience on. Users of these sites love to immerse themselves in great photos of, well, things. If you are selling physical products, you REALLY need to use these platforms.

Invade online forums and classifieds

If you live in a big city, there’s a huge chance that there are online forums dedicated to it. We’re not just talking IP forums. Reddit, Digg, Craigslist, and the like, are also effective. Join the community, learn their ways, become one of them. Do not promote your business every week, they hate that. Just find the best way to casually mention it in the most natural way possible.

Plot your coordinates on Google Maps

If you have a physical store or office, you really need to plot that down on Google Maps. This is one of the most effective ways of showing people where you are in the city. Try doing a quick Google search about “graphic designers in Sydney” and you’ll find results with phone numbers, address, and a map. You want that, don’t you?

Sumbit articles on blogs

And finally, blogs. Find the perfect blog relevant to your business and ask the owner if you can submit a guest post to them. This is a common tactic used by many. From individuals offering their services to huge companies. It’s one of the legit and proven to work ways in the internet marketing circle.

Ask the owner if you can include a link to your website or fan page on the body of the post. If not, they would at least grant you a space on the author’s box just below each article.

Guest submission is not open? Then ask them if they want to host a giveaway. If that doesn’t work, you both can work on a partnership, where for every referred client you get from their site, they get a percentage of the total sales in return.

Start your own website

It is crucial for any business to have their own website. People nowadays tend to put great distrust on businesses without much online presence, and not having a website takes a huge toll on your credibility.

Having a self-hosted dot com website (www.yourbusiness.com) is well much preferred to free web services.

Tips to bring people to your website via social media

1. Ask everyone you know to like your fan page, follow you on social media

You need to be annoying for this one. Asking a friend to like your page is just the first step. They also have to ask their friends to follow you. By doing this, you will end up with at least a hundred fans on your first day.

Followers are important in order to build credibility. Even though it seems like holding onto air, when people see the numbers of followers you have, it gives them a false sense of security that you are legit. It’s an evil life hack but it works!

2. Selling something or offering a service? Use giveaways or discounts!

Although we said that you won’t spend a single dollar on advertising, we’ll have to backtrack a little bit.

Suppose you are selling shoes or bags. It wouldn’t hurt you one bit if you offer one as a giveaway. In return, you’ll most likely receive several hundreds to thousands of new fans. And the best thing about that? These new followers are basically hot leads, which means their potential to buy something from you is high, since it’s already established that they are interested.

For services, instead of a giveaway, you can opt for huge discounts. For example, if you are a web designer who is looking for new clients, you can always give discounts “for three winners”. Not only are you earning (at a discounted rate, though), you are also increasing your portfolio and potential customer-forever. Because once someone finds that web designer who did a great job, they will always look for them whenever they need a redesign or a new website.

So, basically, followers are equal to potential clients or buyers. Remember that! You can actually skip this tip if you can’t afford to do a giveaway. At the very least, try providing discount coupons. People love coupons!

3. Use your social media account for customer service

At one point when your page or profile starts to garner interest, people will start asking questions. Be sure to be there and answer their questions and always go the extra mile just to help. People will remember and they will love you for it.

A lot of people are already on social media. For most of these people, redirecting them to a different website just so they can ask questions is an inconvenience. Never let people experience inconvenience. Minimise redirects if you can. If not, be sure to make yourself accessible easily either via email, a text message or a phone call.

One thing that needs to be mentioned here is you’ll need to provide value to these people. Don’t just post regular updates asking them to check your services or new items. Provide a reason why people should be a follower.

The final tip is to maintain your online presence. Be active online. Provide value to your followers and you will not fail.

SOURCE: Onextrapixel