You can build a successful business online without using paid advertising. Don’t get me wrong, a tool such as Facebook Ads can work wonders for a small business. I believe you need to build a solid foundation with a good strategy in place first. If you don’t you could end up wasting a lot of money trying to figure them out with little to no results.
Here are 5 ways that you can promote your business online without paying for ads.
1 – Network with the right people
Networking isn’t what it used to be, no longer is it about handing out business cards in a stuffy room and practising your elevator pitch.
Now, you can connect with people all over the world, share your expertise, connections and ideas. Networking is about conversations. I love to network locally and there are so many local groups and networking events that you can be part of.
There are plenty of free ones to start with, especially if you are unsure about paid memberships, don’t forget talking is free. The right people aren’t just those that you can sell to, they can be peers in your industry too. Those with whom you can share experiences, and knowledge or those that can help guide you to grow your business. The beauty of networking online is that you can search for specific people using keywords.
You can then engage in their content to make yourself visible – no need for hard sell or cold messaging.
2 – Build and use an email list
You may already have an existing list of customers’ email addresses but are you making the most of them? Are you sending them regular reminders, as well as sending them useful information that would benefit them?
Social media is great but we don’t own it, if you get hacked or Facebook goes down how will you access your audience? Your email list goes straight to their inbox, you don’t have to worry about that algorithm either.
You can use a simple form on your website, or the incentive of a useful ebook or checklist to get people signed up to your list. Just make sure you stay in touch with them regularly, and send them something worth having!
3 – Google My Business
Google My business is a free tool created by Google. By registering your business you can add your services, business updates and advertise opening hours. Customers can even leave you reviews. Because it is a Google tool when people search your business name Google will show you in the results. There are a lot of Youtube tutorials to help you set up for Google My Business.
4- Share your knowledge
Another great way to promote your business is to share your knowledge. Let them know that you know what you are talking about and that you are the authority in your industry. Make yourself known for what you do. You can do this by actively participating in local events, helping people in Facebook groups if they ask questions and genuinely helping others. A great way to do this and to help build relationships is to use video content. You can create short explainer videos or go live on your page and frequently asked customer questions or objections. As this is something not a lot of people will do, this will give you a competitive edge. By actively participating in events and genuinely helping others you become the go-to person.
5- Use social media channels
Last but not least – utilise your social media channels. I’ve left this to the end because too many people think that social media is going to make or break their business without putting in any other effort. You need to make use of as many channels and tools as you can, making use of local networks sharing your knowledge and utilising your email . Utilise the channel where your customers spend most of their time online.
Create a simple plan to share entertaining, informative and educational posts. Make sure you use this to be social with your audience – yes this can be the most time-consuming! But social media isn’t just posting an online catalogue of products, it’s about building relationships with your audience.
So there you have it 5 ways to promote what you do online.
