30 Free & Low-Budget Marketing Ideas for Any Business

Create a Free Google My Business Account

Details: A Google Business Profile is essential for local businesses. It allows your business to appear on Google Maps, the local section of Google Search, and the right-side Knowledge Panel for branded searches. This profile can include your business hours, contact information, and customer reviews.

Action: Verify your business on Google, ensure all information is accurate, and regularly update your profile with new photos, posts, and customer interactions.

#02

Provide Excellent Service

Details: Never underestimate the power of offering superior products or services and ensuring customer satisfaction. Happy customers are likelier to return and recommend your business to friends and family.

Action: Focus on delivering outstanding customer service, address issues promptly, and exceed customer expectations to build loyalty and encourage word-of-mouth referrals.

Gather Good Reviews

Action: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Respond to reviews to show appreciation and address any concerns raised.

Use Social Media

Use Facebook Groups

Action: Join local and industry-specific Facebook groups, participate in discussions, share valuable content, and subtly promote your business. The best way to post in these groups is to post something informative rather than something that’s overly salesy.

Create a Referal Program

Action: Design a referral program with clear terms and attractive rewards. Promote the program through your website, email newsletters, and social media channels. Track referrals and ensure that rewards are given promptly to encourage ongoing participation.

Answer the Phone When It Rings

Action: Ensure calls are answered quickly, and be friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to assist. Share a personal story to highlight the importance:

I believe this last point is so important that I want to tell you a short story that happened to me just last week:

The first company didn’t answer, and the second one didn’t either. I ended up calling 11 companies, and not a single one answered the phone. On my twelfth call, a person answered. Unfortunately, the person who picked up wasn’t friendly and didn’t seem very professional, so I immediately ruled them out as an option.
Realizing that some of these businesses had cell phones as their main contact number and understanding that landscaping companies might be out on the job and unavailable to take calls immediately, I sent text messages to those who seemed to have cell phone numbers listed and decided to wait for a day.

Out of the six texts I sent, only one person responded and told me they were too busy to take on new work. However, lucky for me, they did provide me with a referral to another company.
I called the referred number, and to my surprise, someone answered immediately. They were friendly and courteous and seemed genuinely interested in helping me. Later that day, they came over, presented themselves professionally, and provided me with a quote. I decided to hire them.

Why did I choose this company?
Because they were the only ones who answered the phone and showed up.
As a professional marketer, I’ve encountered numerous small businesses that believe they have lead generation problems. But, when I start generating leads for them, I often find that the real issue isn’t generating leads; it’s their failure to answer calls promptly and professionally.

This experience reinforced the importance of being responsive and courteous in business. Never underestimate the power of simply answering the phone and engaging with potential customers in a friendly and helpful manner.

Do Some Local SEO

Action: Conduct keyword research for local terms, update your website’s meta tags, titles, and content, and ensure your business information is consistent across all online directories.

Develop an Email Marketing Plan

Details: Email marketing is a cost-effective way to engage with your audience. Crafting compelling subject lines and offers can drive conversions and keep your audience informed.

Action: Build an email list through your website and social media, segment your audience, and send targeted emails with personalized content. Manage your campaigns using tools like MailChimp.

Create Data-Rich Infographics

Details: Infographics are visually appealing and easy to share. They can simplify complex information and make your content more engaging.

Action: Use free tools like Canva to design infographics. Collect data from reliable sources, create a compelling narrative, and share your infographics on social media and your website.

Claim Free Ad Promo Credits

Action: Look for promotional credits on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads. Use these credits to run targeted campaigns and analyze the results to optimize future ads.

Apply for Business Awards

Action: Research relevant awards in your industry, submit applications, and promote your wins on your website and social media. Consider hosting your own awards to gain additional exposure.

Try Guerilla Marketing

Action: Brainstorm creative ideas that align with your brand, execute them publicly, and document the process to share online. Ensure your tactics are legal and respectful of public spaces.

#01

Publish Great Content

Details: Content marketing helps establish authority and improve your website’s SEO. By providing valuable information, high-quality content can attract and retain customers.

Action: Conduct keyword research for local terms, update your website’s meta tags, titles, and content, and ensure your business information is consistent across all online directories.Write blog posts, create videos, and produce other forms of content that address your audience’s needs and interests. Use keyword research to guide your topics and promote your content across various channels.

Start a Blog

Action: Identify topics relevant to your audience, create a content calendar, and consistently write blog posts. Optimize your posts using SEO best practices and share them on social media.

Form Industry Partnerships

Action: Identify potential partners, reach out to discuss collaboration opportunities, and plan joint marketing activities. Ensure the partnership benefits both parties and aligns with your brand values.

Post Helpful Videos

Details: 70% of consumers say they’ve bought a product after seeing it on YouTube (source). Video content is highly engaging and can effectively showcase your products or services. You don’t need professional equipment to create valuable videos.

Action: Use your smartphone to create instructional videos, product demos, or behind-the-scenes footage. Edit your videos using free tools and share them on YouTube, social media, and your website.

Turn Employees into Brand Ambassadors

Action: Create a program to incentivize employees to become brand ambassadors. Provide them with shareable content and encourage them to participate in social media activities.

Recycle Old Content

Action: Review your existing content to identify pieces that can be repurposed. Update and reformat the content for different channels and promote it to your audience.

#01

Publish Great Content

Action: Plan a class or event relevant to your business, create promotional materials, and distribute them in local community centers, libraries, and online platforms. Engage attendees and follow up with them after the event.

Run Informative Webinars

Details: Webinars allow you to reach a larger audience and provide valuable information. They can help you establish authority and generate leads.

Action: Choose a relevant topic, promote your webinar through email and social media, and use platforms like Webex or GoToMeeting to host it. Record the webinar and share it as on-demand content.

Attend Industry/Networking Events

Action: Research upcoming events in your industry, register to attend, and prepare business cards and marketing materials. Follow up with contacts you meet to build relationships.

Host a Social Media Contest or Giveaway

Action: Decide on a prize, set clear rules, and promote the contest on social media. Encourage participants to like, follow, and tag your business. Announce the winner and thank all participants.

Do an In-Store Business Card Drawing

Action: Set up a drawing box in your store, promote the drawing to visitors, and collect business cards. Use the contact information to send newsletters and promotional offers.

Set Up a Customer Referral Program

Action: Create a referral program with clear terms and rewards, promote it to your customers, and track referrals to ensure rewards are given promptly.

Join Local Events or Contests

Action: Research local events, register to participate and set up a booth or table to showcase your products or services. Engage with attendees and collect their contact information for follow-up.

Get Awesome Business Cards

Action: Design professional and eye-catching business cards, print them in bulk, and distribute them at events, meetings, and wherever you meet potential clients.

Put Magnets on the Company Car

Action: Design custom car magnets with your business name, logo, and contact information. Place them on your vehicle and ensure they are visible and readable.

Run a Facebook Campaign

Action: Set up a Facebook Ads account, create targeted ad campaigns, and monitor their performance. Use the insights gained to optimize future campaigns.

Hire Influencers to Represent Your Business on Social Media

Action: Identify local influencers who align with your brand, reach out to discuss potential collaborations, and create content that they can share with their followers to promote your business.

Implementing these free and low-budget marketing ideas can significantly enhance your business’s visibility and growth without breaking the bank.

If you need more personalized advice or a comprehensive marketing strategy, contact Key Marketing Strategies for a free marketing strategy call.

Let’s take your business to the next level together!