Business Promotion Ideas - How I Promote My Business for Free

Guest Blog: Felicity O'Donohue runs Goat Milk Soap producers Karma Soap Company.  Karma Soap grew from a start up to a thriving Australian success story in under a year, on a very limited promotions budget.  Felicity is an expert in creative business promotion ideas (and handmade soap production) and has offered to share her top business promotion ideas on how to promote your business for free.

Business Promotion Ideas - How I Promote My Business for Free 

Facebook: The very first place I started promoting my business was on Facebook.  I created a business page, added as much information and pictures of my products as possible then started spreading the word on specific business advertising pages. $0 cost, only my time, however this is a great FREE way to interact with customers and create a great network without leaving home. Facebook is a great way for 'Likers' to "Know you, Like you, Trust you"!

Sourcebottle: I heard about a wonderful website that helps match people/businesses with journalists looking for specific sources – Sourcebottle. It's free to join and once your profile is set up you can receive emails up to twice a day, 5 days a week. Responding to a call out only costs you your time and a little effort. I have had great success promoting my business for free using Sourcebottle.

Newspapers: Newspapers are a great way to get your business name out there. Call your local newspaper editor and be brave, ask if they would like to do a story on you. Give them something juicey eg: It's nearly Christmas and this is how my business all started 12 months ago! Remember not everyone is online and a lot of people still read newspapers, so give a great interview and throw lots of info at them, then possibly follow up with an email to reconfirm they got everything right. Most newspapers have a policy and will not let you proofread the article before it goes to print, Yes that's the only downside. I've had articles written and they had forgotten numbers out of my phone number – Major boo boo! 

Newsletter: Even if you do not have a website, you can still have an 'Opt In' for people to sign up to your newsletter on a Facebook page (again, Facebook is the best place to promote your business for free). Facebook opt in tabs are simple and quick to set up yourself. There are many websites to choose from to house your database, setup and send newsletters from. Depending on how many subscribers you have and how often you send out emails – this will cost you nothing. Once your numbers start rising and you want to add more features to your account this is when you can incure small costs.

Small Business Networking events: Most councils hold free workshops on different business topics, there are two great bonuses to attending these workshops. 1) you educate yourself and 2) you are networking with other people you may not normally come into contact with. Take lots of business cards with you and don't be shy in handing them out. Tell people what your business does, If you can't then nobody will do it for you. Be on the lookout for Small Business September too.

Magazines: Cold calling on magazine Editor's is hard work, but if you can get their attention with a great story angle you could very well end up with some national, if not international publicity for your business. Find out which magazines your target market read, research it then approach them with your pitch. Some magazines will even pay YOU for your story.

Guest Blogging: Blogging is HUGE right now. If you yourself have a blog it's a great way to capture the attention of a different audience, and an awesome way to tell people about your product/service. There are a few websites that offer 'call outs' for guest bloggers up to three times a week via email, then it's about sifting through and applying to the ones you like. If you have a website, this is also a good way to get some backlinking to your own website done!

Product reviews: Whether you offer a product or a service this is possible, as long as you are willing to give something away, Don't expect someone to review you without roadtesting first. Again, do your research and see what your target market are following: It could be a blog, Facebook page, magazine or another website. Make contact and offer products/service for review, if you need a little help sealing the deal offer a giveaway to go with the review to their readers/followers.  

WAHM/WAHP support websites 'introduce the maker': These websites are wonderful, they offer great advice, free directory listings and an opportunity for you to promote your business in front of their viewers. It may take winning a competition, but rally your family and friends around you and tell them they have to vote for you... Make it easy send them the link with simple clear instructionson how to vote! Have some wonderful product pictures ready to send and a great informative blurb about your business and you. 

Cross-promotions with other businesses: This is a great way to promote your business for free and I have done this many times. Ask friends who have the same target market as you and offer to exchange marketing/promotional items and send to each others clients when shipping out orders. Try and choose businesses that compliment yours or link the two together somehow. Don't forget your marketing material needs a 'call to action' somewhere and proofreading before printing!

For more business promotion ideas and tips on how to promote your business for free, check out these related blogs:

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