Many business owners avoid doing any online marketing for their business because they feel they cannot afford it. The reality is, marketing is one business tactic that you actually CANNOT afford to ignore! With so many easy-to-use and affordable options to get your brand out there, it’s surprising how many business owners shy away from online marketing.
To help you grow your online presence without breaking the bank, we’re sharing 4 affordable ways to easily market your business online:
- Blogging
A business blog is a great way to start marketing your business online. Not only will a blog help push your brand in the digital landscape, but it also allows you to share the expertise and knowledge you have in your industry. A blog will allow you the opportunity to show off your skill-set and also positions you as a thought leader against your competitors who may or may not be blogging. Be sure to include links to your website and social media pages to encourage your readers to become more engaged in your brand and interested in what you have to offer.
Using a free platform such as WordPress, business owners can have a blog up and running in no time, without any technical skills or coding required.
- Social Media
Social media is by far one of the cheapest and easiest ways to market your business online. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are 100% free and are filled with an increasingly amount of new users each day. Another huge benefit to social media is the ability to have your audience do the marketing work for you by sharing your posts and posting reviews. Think of it as the modern day word-of-mouth referral tactic.
- Email Marketing
Email marketing does more then just market your business; it also keeps your brand at the top of your client’s mind. Whether you wish to send a monthly newsletter or promote a new offering, your current and future clients always know what is going on with your business. Using a program such as MailChimp or Constant Contact lets you control how much you spend on your email marketing based on the number of subscribers you have and the volume of emails you send out. Just remember not to abuse the power of email marketing with spammy, too-promotional messages to ensure your subscribers don’t try to unsubscribe.
- Host an online event
There’s no easier way to showcase your expertise by hosting an educational online event, such as a video, webinar or even a twitter chat. These online events do more than just educate your audience too, as they are a powerful resource for generating leads through registration forms.
Using social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube is a great way to market your business, completely free! Depending on the frequency of webinars you want to host or the volume of attendees, there are many webinar hosting platforms available that are affordable and easy to set up and use.
Blake