The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

6 Affordable Ways to Market Your Small Business

  • Written by News Co


In this era of cut-throat competition, no business can survive without marketing. For established brands with deep pockets, investing in marketing isn't much of a big deal. Small businesses, on the other hand, aren't well-endowed to afford large marketing budgets. But that doesn't mean they can't run effective marketing campaigns. With this in mind, here are some inexpensive marketing strategies for small businesses.

1. Build a Social media presence

Social media is one of the most effective marketing tools, given its wide user base. As such, creating a social media account for your business connects you to a broader market of potential customers.

That said, building a social media presence isn't enough to attract customers. It calls for the right social media strategy. The idea is to connect with your prospects in a more personal way without necessarily taking a hard-sell approach. If you get your audience to start trusting you, you will convert them to loyal customers.

2. Start a Business Blog

Starting a business blog is one of the most inexpensive ways of promoting your business. The best thing is that you don't need technical skills to build a blog, thanks to platforms such as WordPress and Wix.

Once you set up your blog, post content that is optimized for search engines.This will improve your business's online visibility, thereby generating leads and increasing revenue potential. Additionally, starting a blog for your business establishes your brand's credibility and authenticity, making it easy for your target market to approach you.

3. Guerilla marketing

Guerilla marketing refers to the use of unconventional marketing strategies to advertise a business. These strategies usually play on the surprise element to capture people's attention as they go about their daily life routine. As such, guerilla marketing is fairly inexpensive since it depends on creativity to be effective.

For instance, you can put up a temporary artwork of your business on a sidewalk. The idea is to increase brand awareness as well as organic and foot traffic. There are many approaches to guerilla marketing, so be sure to experiment with different ideas that require the public to interact with the brand.

The good thing is that you don't require technical skills to hack guerilla marketing, but it does help to have a grasp of some marketing principles. In this regard, you may want to take a marketing course.

4. Partnership Marketing

Partnership marketing is an affordable advertisement method for small businesses to expand their market outreach and increase sales. This strategy involves collaborating with a non-competitive business to promote each other's products or services.

For example, a web designer might partner with a digital marketing agency. In such a case, the marketing agency can refer clients to the web designer if they need professional web designing services. Equally, the web designer can refer clients who need help with content marketing to the marketing agency.

Before partnering with another small business, remember to consider your options carefully. This is because you'll be sharing reputations; and, thus, your partner ought to be aligned with your values.

5. Ask for referrals

Your existing customer base has the power to market your business to other potential prospects. Therefore, it would be best if you didn't shy away from requesting your customers to refer their friends and family to your business. But before that, ensure your products or services are customer-centric. This way, customers won't hesitate to tell others about you.

6. Community involvement

Getting in touch with your local community allows you to build brand awareness without spending much. You also get to network with other business owners and build meaningful relationships. And this should not cost an arm and a leg.

For example, you can sponsor the neighborhood soccer team by buying them sports kits branded with your name. This will allow you to interact more closely with the local community and gain visibility.

No money? No problem

A low budget shouldn't hold you back from marketing your small business. You are limited only by your creativity. So, be sure to use the above cost-effective marketing ideas to kick-start your campaigns.

Property Times

Flipping vs. Holding: Which Investment Strategy Is Right for You?

Are you wondering whether flipping a property or holding onto it is the better investment strategy? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Both strategies have distinct advantages and risks, and choosing the right one depends on your financial goals, ...

A Guide to Smarter Real Estate Accounting: What You Might Be Overlooking

Real estate accounting can be a complex terrain, even for experienced investors and property managers. From tracking rental income to managing property expenses, the financial intricacies of real estate demand more than just basic bookkeeping. A si...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

Food & Dining

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand of chaos to Aussie shores with Après Skrew: a mash-up of alpine energy...

450 people queue for first taste of Pappa Flock’s crispy chicken as first restaurant opens in Queensland

Queenslanders turned out in flocks for the opening of Pappa Flock's first Queensland restaurant, with 450 people lining up to get their hands on the TikTok famous crispy crunchy chicken tenders. The highly anticipated opening comes after months of d...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banquets to Sydney’s first-ever Acquapole fitness classes and family fun gal...

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Business Times

Nail it with points: Flybuys members can redeem points for instan…

Flybuys launches new in-store redemption at Bunnings stores across Australia Tuesday 19 August, 2025 – Flybuys, Australia’s ...

Understanding Energy Use Patterns by Season

Australia’s climate changes noticeably across the year. These seasonal changes don’t just affect what we wear or how we trave...

How Businesses Turn Data into Actionable Insights

In today's digital landscape, businesses are drowning in data yet thirsting for meaningful direction. The challenge isn't...

The Times Features

What to Expect During a Professional Termite Inspection

Keeping a home safe from termites isn't just about peace of mind—it’s a vital investment in the structure of your property. A professional termite inspection is your first line o...

Booty and the Beasts - The Podcast

Cult TV Show Back with Bite as a Riotous New Podcast  The show that scandalised, shocked and entertained audiences across the country, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, has returned in ...

A Guide to Determining the Right Time for a Switchboard Replacement

At the centre of every property’s electrical system is the switchboard – a component that doesn’t get much attention until problems arise. This essential unit directs electrici...

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand o...

450 people queue for first taste of Pappa Flock’s crispy chicken as first restaurant opens in Queensland

Queenslanders turned out in flocks for the opening of Pappa Flock's first Queensland restaurant, with 450 people lining up to get their hands on the TikTok famous crispy crunchy ch...

How to Choose a Cosmetic Clinic That Aligns With Your Aesthetic Goals

Clinics that align with your goals prioritise subtlety, safety, and client input Strong results come from experience, not trends or treatment bundles A proper consultation fe...