Beginning a business is not an easy task. You need to get all the paperwork done as well of government certifications which they take a while to process. And that is not including all the expenses on the side which might consist of a lawyer, accountant, and construction worker.
They are many expenses just before your business has started. Once you start, you have to promote, which is very important to set aside some cash for marketing. But there are many ways you can begin without spending.
Here are 5 Tips to Promote Your Business for FREE
1. Google My Business
Besides being the number one website in the world and search engine, it has many tools to help your business. This should be your first step to add your company to the service and allowing it to be found using Google My Business.
To create your account go to https://www.google.com/business/. Here you will be able to include the information of business and details such as the address to be later used on Google Maps. They say it takes 10 minutes, but it might take a little bit more. The process is easy, and it will improve your business significantly.
We share a video of how Google My Business can help you.
2. Social Media Platforms.
Social Media Platforms has become part of our daily routine. With billions of users, a presence is a must, since they help your business become a brand.
There are many Social Media Platforms, and they keep coming new ones. We are going with the most recognizable and influential. You can be on all of them, but in most cases, they require you to concentrate on a few.
A. Facebook
Started 2004, and has become the King of Social Media, with more than 2.4 billion users worldwide. As a result, Facebook for business is a fantastic place to promote your brand. Some of their useful tools like Groups, Messenger, Live, Pixel, plus all the insights information makes it an excellent place to start promoting your business. Also, you can begin your company profile for FREE.
As a result of being so populated, for your reach to grow has to be done by paying. It can grow by itself, but sadly it will need at least $1 to get some momentum.
For more information about Facebook, I recommend you to read 10 Reasons To Use Facebook As Principal Social Media and 5 Tips to Grow Your Business Through Facebook. These posts will help show you some of the benefits of the platform.
B. Instagram
In 2010, Instagram was born as a place to share your pictures instantly, and with the use of beautiful filters, you could create your own portrait. After gaining popularity, Facebook saw its potential and in 2012 purchased the company.
Instagram has evolved into a place where mostly the younger generation goes to. Also, it is the place where the famous influencers have made there home.
This is very important for your business and where to establish as it’s the first place for promotion. You can be on both, uniquely since they are own by the same company, but you should start to analyze where you should be.
C. Twitter
Known as the place for posting only 140 characters, it has become a place to know about the news, especially since President Trump is one of it’s most famous users. Began in 2006, has become a useful place for business.
Also, many may know it a great place for using hashtags, Twitter is an excellent place to be. For more information about hashtags, I recommend you reading Should I Use Hashtags?
D. LinkedIn
Even though it began in 2002, it was in 2010 where it stated. Mostly known as a place social network for professional, it is a fantastic place for businesses, especially for B2B.
It might not have as many tools like Facebook, but its users are more on the professional side and looking to do business. Also, an excellent place to look for customers, especially those who are looking for services. In other words, if you are a lawyer, an accountant, LinkedIn is also an excellent place to be.
E. YouTube
Some consider YouTube a Social Media Platform, while others might not, I decided to included since is a place to create engagement. Besides, it is available in most locations like cellphones, streaming devices, and video game consols.
Since it is FREE to upload a video, it is a fantastic way to promote your Business. I will explain more on the next tip, where we talk more about the video.
3. Video and Podcast
The use of Video and Podcast are the most effective way to create brand awareness. Both help others see you as a leader and humanize your brand.
Let’s begin with Video. Facebook and YouTube are unbelievable tools to create a Live Broadcast. As a result, you can engage with your followers at the moment, and don’t need fancy equipment to do them. With your smartphone, you can do it with just a push of a few buttons.
You can do it that way or add some simple equipment, for example, a tripod and a microphone, improving the quality of your video. For more information about video recording, I recommend you to read the Checklist for a successful Facebook Live and 5 Reasons To Use Video On Social Media.
The other method is creating a Podcast. They have been gaining popularity becoming another method of establishing yourself as a leader and helping your brand. Since they are in audio format, they are more informal and could go for hours.
There are many options for hosting like Libsyn and Spreaker. There are also free options like Podbean and Anchor. Take your time to choose which one is the best option for you.
The best thing about Podcast is that they don’t require much equipment as video. The same as video you can record using your phone, but it is recommended to use a microphone or even a mixing board.
4. Collaboration
Helping others will help out your business greatly. As a collaborator, you will able to position yourself as a leader in the field. In other words, you can check if there is a free chat about something related to your business field and offer your service and talk to others about it. This will help people see you as an expert in your domain.
My recommendation is trying to look for places related to your expertise and business. For example, could be your business and knowledge is about social media marketing. You could go to conventions about entrepreneurship and talk to them about your expertise and would like to help out on their next event. After that, you might meet more people who want to learn more about social media marketing and perhaps a future customer.
5. Automated marketing service
With the growth of businesses using online services especially for marketing, there has been a need for using automated marketing services. They will improve your customers reach and engagement.
We recommend you using SmartEngage, the First and Only Cross-Channel Autoresponder that will automatically link a:
Customer’s Email with their Facebook Messenger and their Push Notifications, having an unlimited marketing campaign.
Here are some of the other benefits you have access SmartEngage:
- Cross-Channel Marketing Automation, and Conversion Tracking
- Import Unlimited Lists
- Intelligent “IF” Conditions with Simple Automation Rules
- Facebook Integrations for Lead Ads, and Comment Auto Reply Bots
- Mobile Mailer Technology, and SmartClean Email Technology
- Never Before Seen Cross-Channel Hybrid Opt-In
- Automatic Social Intelligence
- Track Subscribers Journey
- Industry Leader Inbox Rate
- Smart Newsletter Broadcasts
In other words, you can send them the message they need at the time they need it on the platform they will see it. With SmartEngage you can have your three tools in one system.
The best part is that they offer a free account, or can use their 14-days free trial for the premium service. You got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
For more information about automated services, I invite you to read The importance of an automated marketing system, and 2,413 SEO Leads in 30 Days on Autopilot. Both posts will help you learn more about the benefits of having a system like SmartEngage.
Bonus: Create good content
You have everything set up and ready, but if your content is not good enough, it will not be useful. I recommend you to read 5 Useful Tips for Content Creators. As they say “Content is King.”
For more information about Content Creators, we recommend you reading 5 New Trends in Social Media and 3 NEW Services Your Clients Can’t Resist. Both are great reads with useful tips.
Conclusion
These are some of the best tips to promote your business for FREE. You can start using these or later on develop your own.
Do you have any other tips?
Please tell us at the comment section.
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Written by Mark Nieves
