Marketing Campaigns that won't cost the Earth

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Liz Gibbs • Sep 12, 2017

Stretch your marketing budget and stash the savings in the bank. It's possible to find alternative ways to get your brand in the public eye without spending thousands of dollars. Here are a few tips on getting free or low-cost publicity for your business.

Conventional media advertising – in newspapers and magazines and on the radio – can be beneficial, but it's often expensive. And you're never sure if you're hitting your target market.

Instead, get creative and give some thought to lower-priced or free alternatives to your traditional media spending. Here are ten quick ideas:

List your business on Google. Get your business details, such as website, street address, opening hours and ways to contact you on Google Search and Maps. Make it media-rich by adding photos.
Use social media. Consider using social media to engage with your customers – for example, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. You may consider launching a newsletter for subscribers.
Create a blog or website. People are now used to researching online before engaging with businesses. You may want to start an interactive blog or informative website. Be sure to maintain the currency of your content.
Support local teams. Become a sponsor of local amateur or children's sports teams. Players may wear T-shirts with your business name and logo, or advertising space may be offered where local teams play.
Sponsor a community radio station. Contact your local community radio station to ask how you can become a sponsor. Check the station's sponsorship pack for ad time and how else the station can promote your business.
Buy discount ad space. Small suburban newspapers often need extra display ads to fund large editions or special sections. Negotiate a long-term contract at a discount, or track the revenue your ad generates and pledge some of it to buy more ads in the future.
Get involved in relevant industry groups and forums. List your services on a searchable database for your business type. Get involved in discussions with fellow businesspeople.
Launch a loyalty scheme. Give customers more reason to return and to refer their friends and family to your business.
Take a festive approach. Offer to run a concession booth at a community festival or event. Your business name and logo could be displayed on the booth while you and your staff serve snacks and work the crowd.
Become a subject matter guru. Consider speaking at workshops or seminars or writing original articles.

These are just a few ideas to show that you don't have to spend a bundle to keep your business name in public view. With a little creativity, you can become a marketing master on a shoestring budget.