Marketing includes all of the activities you do that tell people about what you do. Free marketing ideas are often as effective or more effective than the paid ones!
Blogging is a marketing activity. Your image is marketing yourself. Every time you give your commercial (a short blurb about what you’re about, a.k.a. your “elevator speech”), you’re marketing.
Marketing isn’t just paying for ads or sending out email campaigns. Here are some
free marketing ideas
from some of my favorite friends and cohorts.
From Donna Roland of Faithfully Fashionable:
“One of the ways I have gotten free marketing for my business was by having a local newspaper reporter attend one of my workshops for free and she wrote a huge article about me and the workshop. It was great!!”
That’s excellent advice!! Build relationships with your local publications, they’re always looking for new events to cover and it’s great promotion for your business, too!
From Anne McAuley Lopez of Agency Content Writer.
“Blogging!”
Blogging, one of my favorite topics!
Yes, blogging is an extremely powerful marketing activity. While it does require a time commitment, it is FREE (unless you hire someone to write them for you). Blogging forces you to have something to write about and the content can then be re-purposed in your email newsletter and on social media. You can blog about your most frequently asked questions, your areas of expertise, your events and happenings…or you can comment on articles or news stories. Even once a week is of benefit, although twice per week is recommended.
More ideas:
- Networking
- Press release
- Advertising in small, local newspapers is often free
- Social Media
- Blogs (see above)
- Hosting events out of your house, a park or other free venues
- One-to-ones
- Anything in trade— but proceed with caution!
So many great ideas here!
NETWORKING and ONE TO ONES
Networking is one of the best ways to grow your business and expand your influence.
If you’re not already participating in referral teams or networking groups, this is a great time of year to try some out.
If you’re ready to start networking, your local chamber of commerce is a great place to start.
When you meet people who are great prospects or potential power partners, set up a one to one meeting with them so you can discuss how you can best refer each other.
Networking also means connecting with people online, which goes hand in hand with utilizing social media. The purpose is to make connections with people and add value to your community, both online and in real life. This is a passion of mine and a topic I’ll be addressing more deeply soon! Networking is incredibly effective and is often free. I encourage you do dive in!
SOCIAL MEDIA
I love talking about social media! And they’re all free!
Thus I wrote 11 social media tips for entrepreneurs.
HOSTING EVENTS
Whether a social event, fundraiser or workshop, hosting events is an excellent way to get your name out there and allow people to see you in action. You can take up the corner of your favorite coffee shop or open up your home but there are also many free venues available like libraries and community centers.
If it’s been more than six months since you hosted an event, start planning one today!
I’m working on a “workshops for entrepreneurs” coaching program so if you’re interested, contact me.
What free marketing ideas can YOU start using?
Julie Gorges says
Great ideas! Love the first one about contacting your local newspaper by offering the reporter something free and I never considered hosting events before. Thanks for an inspiring article on free marketing!
Tabitha Dumas says
I’m so glad you got some new ideas!! Let me know if you implement any and we’ll celebrate with you!! 🙂
Linda Ursin says
Great ideas. I’m actually planning to start hosting workshops for creatives.
Tabitha Dumas says
That sounds like a great idea!!! I love working with creative types and they certainly need and appreciate the help. Let me know if you end up doing it and I’d be happy to promote it!