Growing a business comes with a lot of marketing challenges. Companies need to gain traction by getting in front of potential customers, but finding the proper channels is challenging when you are on a budget.
Unfortunately, it feels like you need to spend money that you don't have to reach this broad audience.
Luckily, there are several ways to market your service-based business for free and reach your target audience. This article contains some of the best ways to market your business for free without paying a dime.
4 Best Ways To Market Your Business For Free
Create a Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, is a free listing tool that helps local businesses appear in Google search results when potential customers search for their service.
We've all benefitted from Google Business Profile. Every time you search for a coffee shop, a barber, sushi, you name it, your first results are a Google Business Profile.
Better yet, these profiles have reviews from previous customers, so you can easily assess whether you should do business with them.
If you don't already have a Google account, follow these steps to create your profile:
- Go to business.google.com and click "Manage Now."
- Enter your business information, including your website URL and contact information.
- Verify your ownership of the business by following the instructions Google provides.
- Add your services, business category, and define your service area.
- Consistently add photos & get customer reviews.
Social Media
Social media has become where the world goes to connect. If your business is off social media, you're missing out on connecting with hundreds, if not thousands, of potential customers in your area.
Your business should use social media as your portfolio to display your work. Customers will be looking at your profile before purchasing, so having a well-thought-out social media profile can be a great impression on your business.
You must be in your community's Facebook Group as a small business. In my town, the community Facebook Group has over 17 thousand members. Every day people are searching for recommendations on services in the area. By being active in the group, your name can be one of the first on the list of recommendations.
Need help figuring out what to post? Start with graphics featuring your reviews, simple pictures of a recent project, and quotes.
Get Listed in Local Business Directories
Local directories are a crucial component of any small business marketing strategy.
They provide authority to your website, rank high on search engines, and can refer customers to your business.
Business listings are also called citations. You must be consistent across all citations, specifically your name, address, website, and phone number.
Yelp is the most common citation we've all come across besides Google Business Profile. Regardless of your feelings about the website, Yelp ranks high for nearly all local searches, so controlling what people find when they see your profile is crucial.
Many industry-specific directories exist for different niches, like pizza shops and contractors, but ideally, you sign up for as many as possible.
Want a quick way to distribute your business information across all major business listings? Use a tool like Neustar Localeze, Uberall, or Yext.
Email Marketing
Email may sound archaic in our new digital age, but it is a great tool to remain top of mind with your top customers.
Email is one of the few platforms where you have control. You are at the mercy of the platform on the previously mentioned platforms to display your content to the right audience.
Creating a simple email newsletter that shares specials & promotions, updates on your company, and introduces team members is a great place to start.
Using Canva or Google Docs and Gmail can create a professional-looking newsletter for free and connect you with your top customers.
Wondering how you can get an email list? Offer specials in exchange for an email address on your website!
Time to Get Started
These four methods are a great place to start if you are starting or on a budget.
What's important to realize is if you're looking to get in front of potential customers for free, you must put in the time and effort to make it happen.
Dedicating a few hours a week to post on social, create email content, and sign up for business listings can set you apart from competitors who aren't willing to dedicate the time.
If you have any questions on how to get in front of potential customers, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team!
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