Promoting a business is hard, especially if you’re one of the smaller businesses.
Here are ten inexpensive ways to help promote your business:

1. Basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Set up your website such that search engines understand the content and will link to your web pages when searched on the internet. You can always improve the SEO of your site. One way is to use common phrases that people search for in the page title, and another is to use the H1 tag to boost SEO rankings.

2. Set up a listing

Google offers a free listing in their directories for local businesses.

3. Set up a business profile on social media:

It should include a good description and a link to your website. The information and photos you post on your social media should be interesting to your target audience. Relevant posts that offer tips on how to improve lifestyle are likely to get likes and shares. Special offers can also catch their attention. You can then pay to boost the most popular posts you have on your social media.

4. Sign up for email service

Send newsletters, updates and promotional offers to your customers and prospects for your business. One way of encouraging your customers to subscribe to your newsletters is giving something away. Maybe a tip-sheet on something related to your product. Another incentive could be a signup discount on your products or services.

5. Memberships in groups that attract your target customers

Pay for membership in these groups and check if the group has a website. If the site has a published list of members, make sure your name and the link to your website get added. Be actively involved in at least two or three of such groups so that there are more chances of meeting possible prospects. Remember that opportunists get spotted easily. You need to make real contributions to these groups by offering ideas and helping with projects whenever possible. Avoid the groups you feel would take a lot more of your time than you are ready to give.

6. Find what is unique about your product/service and publicize it

Local newspapers, radio stations, cable TV stations and magazines are some of your options. Make sure their audiences are audiences that would be interested in your product. Don’t forget to hit up one or more online press release services and include links to your website. Send a photo along to increase your chances of having your material published.

7. Publicize the publicity

Whenever you get publicity, get permission from that publisher to reprint the article. Make photocopies and mail them out with the sales letters you use to market the product/service. These clips make the claims you make on your product credible.

8. Ask for leads

Contact your friends, former employers and maybe other businesses linked to your own business. Ask if they need your services or know potential customers who may be interested.

9. Attend events

There are always local networking events you can attend.

10. Cross-promotion

Get together with businesses of the same market that sell a different product/service. This way, you can pass along leads, make referrals and share mailings.