As a small or medium-sized business, it’s often difficult to plan and justify adding expensive marketing tactics into your budget every month. We looked into some creative marketing ideas and created a list of simple ways you can increase customers and sales without breaking the bank. Enjoy!

1. Get Social.

There are a lot of social networks to keep track of- Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, YouTube, etc. At the very least, your business should have a profile on the appropriate networks that gives basic contact information and a description. If you really want to get the most out of these social networks you will need to be, well, social. Your business should interact with the people that like the page, mention you in posts, or tag you in pictures.  Social networks are a no-cost way to give your audience updates on your business, invite them to give feedback on your products or services and encourage them to share their experiences at your business with their friends.

2. Partnerships.

Find a business similar to yours and team up. If your product or service naturally goes with another business then it is a great idea to offer a package deal or to recommend each other to customers. A partnership doubles the amount of exposure your business gets.

3. Local Awards & Lists.

Every city, big or small, has its own list of top cafes, salons, boutiques, mechanics, etc. Get on these lists by contacting the organizations or individuals creating the lists. There may be some cost to be included, but these lists stay published and will help get you exposure for far longer than the voting stage exists.

4. Host Events & Classes.

Plan an event at your location for your customers to meet and mingle. This encourages your existing customers to introduce their friends to your business. You can create a special offer, give away a gift, or present a complimentary class that is valuable to your clients. Events and classes give your business exposure, introduce you to new clients, and solidify you as an expert in the community.

5. Referrals.

Asking your customers to recommend your business is a great way to get new customers. Some businesses use referral cards or codes to track referrals and reward the customers that bring new clients. When incentives are aligned, having a referral network is the quickest most cost-effective way to grow your customer base.

6. Email Marketing.

After your customers leave your business, email is a great way to stay in contact. You should collect customer email addresses as they check out, whether online or in-store. You can send them special offers, business updates, and event invitations, or create a newsletter with all the above. Most email platforms like MailChimp or CakeMail have plans that let you send to a limited number of contacts for free.

With little to no budget, you can use these marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and drive sales. It doesn’t cost anything but your time and attention to create a great customer experience and encourage a community that will recognize and recommend your business.