Marketing doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of dollars on slick campaigns or hiring a fancy agency. For local businesses, some of the most effective marketing tactics are also the most budget-friendly.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow on a lean budget, here are five tactics that won’t break the bank.
1. Claim your Google Business Profile
It’s free, and it’s one of the best ways to get found by people searching for businesses like yours. Add photos, respond to reviews, and keep your hours updated. When someone in your area searches for your product or service, you want to show up — and look good doing it.
If you’re a Jottful customer, we’ll help you set this up! Just contact the Support team and tell them you want to join an upcoming Google Business Profile workshop.
2. Partner with other local businesses
Cross-promotions, co-hosted events, and bundled deals can help you reach new customers without spending a dime. For example, a local yoga studio could partner with a juice bar for a “stretch and sip” event. Everyone wins.
💡 WEBSITE INSIGHT: Include your partners’ names or logos on your website, with links to their websites — and ask your partners to do the same. This helps you build up backlinks, an important way to improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.
3. Attend (or host) local events
Farmers markets, community fairs, and networking meetups are fantastic ways to get your name out there. Even just setting up a simple table with a flyer and a friendly smile can go a long way.
4. Start an email newsletter
Collect emails from customers (with permission!) and keep them in the loop with specials, events, and updates. You can start with a free platform like Mailchimp and grow from there.
5. Get active on social media — strategically
You don’t need to be everywhere. Pick one or two platforms your customers use and focus your efforts there. Show your personality, share helpful info, and engage with your community.
