Promoting a small business is quite different compared to doing the same for a more well-known company. Due to having a smaller budget, small businesses often have limited options when it comes to advertising their brand. But this doesn’t mean that they have to shell out a larger sum in order to reach more people. With enough planning and proper execution, owners and managers of small businesses can properly promote their business and widen their customer base, even if they are on a shoestring budget. Here are some creative cost-friendly advertising strategies that they can use:
1. Give out freebies. Giving away freebies that bear the logo of your business accomplishes a few things. First, it makes your customers feel appreciated and valued. Second, by turning your customers into brand ambassadors, you are also making your business more visible. Giving away freebies like customized silicone wristbands and woven lanyards might sound like the opposite of saving money, but it’s actually cheaper than going through more traditional advertising routes like posting ads on your local TV stations. Aside from lanyards and wristbands, you can also order pens, keychains, or magnets in bulk and give them away to your regulars.
2. Invest in reusable packaging. Another great way of making your brand more visible is by using reusable packaging or bags that are emblazoned with your logo. Encourage your customers to use the bags in your shop by giving them incentives when they do so. Your customers can also choose to reuse the bag for other purposes and consequently display your company logo for everyone to see. In addition to making your logo more visible, this advertising strategy is also a telling sign that your business supports eco-friendly practices.
3. Put up printed posters. Good old printed posters haven’t lost their place in the modern times. Have someone design an attractive poster that includes information about your business, such as the services or products you provide, your base of operations, and how to get in touch with you. Then post these in highly visible and high-traffic areas around your neighborhood, like in parks and other shared spaces. You can also use the digital copy of the poster as an asset for your website and social media accounts.
4. Use social media platforms. Advertise your business for free online by maintaining active social media accounts. Set up official social media accounts for the company and use it to promote promos and events and to keep existing customers and followers engaged online. Post and share stuff, ideally a few times every week, and actively answer questions; consistency helps make your account feel more official and attracts more followers.
5. Partner with other local businesses. Partnering with another establishment can help you gain more leads and customers. Ideally, you should partner with a business that: doesn’t directly compete with yours, is in a related industry, and can recommend clients to you and vice versa. For example, if you’re in the business of selling flowers or running a photography business, then it’s a good idea to partner with an events management agency or catering services provider. Recommend your partners to customers who might need their services and your partners will do the same for your business.
Sponsor local events.
6. Sponsoring local events can go a long way in endearing your business to the neighborhood surrounding it. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for this, as you can always contribute in-kind through your products or services. Aside from promoting your business during the event, take time to also get to know your market and connect with your customers.
Advertising a small business takes a bit of effort, but this doesn’t mean that you always have to resort to using expensive strategies just to make your small business a household name within your area of operations. Keep these cost-friendly strategies in mind when planning your next promotional activity so you can reach out to more people without spending a lot of money.
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