Three Ways To Promote Your Business Online Without Money

By: Kris Bryant

Being a small business owner comes with its challenges. One common challenge is that you need to have a strategy in place to consistently market your business and attract new customers.

Let’s face it: Relying solely on word of mouth will never be a wise move. The best ways to become more visible are to be proactive and to market your business online. This allows you to reach more people in a shorter timeframe. However, what are your options when you have limited marketing dollars?

If you are strapped for cash and have no marketing budget, don’t worry, because there is still hope. There are a number of ways to spread the word about your products and services that won’t break the bank. What’s even better is that you can start implementing these practical strategies today. This way you can start making more money sooner, rather than later.

Here are three ways to promote your business online without money.

1) Live streaming.

This is one of the best and fastest ways to build a loyal audience. Live streaming is a way to engage with potential customers in real-time and answer questions they have about your business. With live streaming software such as Restream, you can expand your reach by broadcasting on multiple social media platforms at once.

Some effective ways to use live streaming for business include:

• Providing tutorials.
• Showing behind-the-scenes of your business.
• Live interviews.
• Or try an “ask me anything” live stream to showcase your expertise and collect leads on the spot.

[Related: Easy Hacks to Beat Zoom Fatigue]

2) Instagram.

The opportunities are endless on Instagram with more than one billion active monthly users. Studies show that 60% of users say they discover new products on Instagram and go there daily for inspiration.

If you are new to Instagram, consider creating a business account instead of a personal account. Business accounts come with more features and analytics that will help grow your page.

Once you’ve set up your business page, be sure to create a consistent posting schedule and engage with your target audience to grow your following. To keep your audience engaged and build a buzz, you can run contests, offer special discounts, or demonstrate tips and tricks.

[Related: How to Grow Your Instagram, and Why You Should Stop Counting Followers]

3) Podcasts.

You don’t need an expensive publicist to get press and podcast opportunities. By doing a bit of research and outreach, you can pitch yourself to appear on someone’s podcast. Podcasts are an amazing way to leverage someone else’s audience for more exposure.

The best way to build up a pipeline of hot leads is to showcase your knowledge on your podcast appearances. Be sure to tell a story as well to make the interview more interesting. Give a call to action with an incentive to encourage potential customers to contact you or visit your site. Some incentives that are worth trying are to include a special discount for the first ten people, a free strategy session, or a free trial.

These three ways to promote your business without money will surely help you get in front of a wider audience, build brand recognition, and build loyal customers. With a little creativity and a lot of effort, you can crush it online even as a small business owner.

[Related: How to Get Press for Your Business]

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Kris Bryant is a visibility strategist and social media marketer. She is the founder of Crush It With Kris, and assists entrepreneurs worldwide so they can stand out and become more visible online. She has been featured in Yahoo News and Startup Fortune. Contact her at Kb@kristianb.com.