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5 Alternative Ways To Market Your Small Business (on a Budget!)

 

Photo by Stanislav Kondratiev from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-bicycle-near-wall-2909097/

There is no way around it: if you are looking to grow your business, you will need to invest in marketing. Some marketing strategies are sure to grow your business - including building social media accounts, networking, and investing in ads. But what if you are operating on an extremely tight budget? How can you compete with other, larger businesses and gain a unique competitive edge?

In this case, looking for alternatives to standard marketing strategies might be your best option to stand out against the competition. Here are some alternative marketing and advertising strategies that you can try on a small budget.  

Start a Word-of-Mouth Ripple With Stickers

Word of mouth is more important than ever - but how can you get a conversation started? There are many ways to get people talking about your business and your brand. One of the best and most iconic ways to do so is through stickers. 

When working in partnership with specialized companies like customstickers.com, you can encapsulate all the essential information about your business that you wish to communicate to your audience in a small, well-designed, and personalized sticker. Don’t forget that the more appealing your stickers are, the more likely your audience will be to wear them and use them, which is key to get the conversation started. 

Still have doubts? The founders of Reddit started their empire with a marketing budget of $500 which they spent on stickers!

Make Customers Your Ambassadors

If you are unsure how to spend your marketing budget to obtain the best results, it is important to keep in mind that over 92% of customers prefer to listen to trusted friends and family members for recommendations. 

So, if you can’t decide between spending your marketing funds on paid ads or running referral programs, the second option might be the key to building a solid customer base. 

Use QR Codes To Help To Deliver Information

Consumers’ attention span is declining, and the amount of information and ads out there is increasing. Because of these trends, it is crucial for companies to understand how to deliver comprehensive, fast, and engaging information - in a matter of seconds! In this case, QR codes can help you, and in more than one way!

When using QR codes, you can incorporate these tags within your current advertising strategy, save money on labels and packaging, and deliver information directly to your customers’ smartphone. 

Take Part in Local Initiatives

No small business can thrive alone! Whether you are targeting your local community, or you are planning to expand internationally, you should always make sure to have the time to build authentic relationships with your community. Helping out at charitable events, taking part at networking conferences, and supporting local initiatives are simple strategies that can go a long way!

Try Urban Advertising

If you are unsure how to build brand awareness and recognition, you should consider the benefits of urban advertising. Using chalk pastels to leave messages on the sidewalk, or power-washing your brand logo onto a dirty road can be great ways to leave a mark - but make sure you keep an eye on the legalities of urban advertising!