So you’ve officially launched your new start-up. Now what?
You may think that the hardest part is over, but the biggest challenge is yet to come: placing your business in the marketplace amidst rising competition.
Being a business owner is no easy feat. For most self-funded start-up companies, marketing can be a costly process, especially in the age of digital marketing.
Digital marketing isn’t at all that different from your usual traditional marketing. In fact, digital marketing is the most efficient way to get your business out there because everyone is online. Therefore, creating a solid digital presence is crucial. But no matter how expensive marketing may be, there will always be cheaper alternatives to help you kick-start your dream!
There’s no right or wrong in digital marketing, but with the right marketing plan, you’ll find a more cost-effective solution for acquiring new and repeat customers. Here are some budget-friendly tips and tricks to market your business without burning a hole in your wallet.
Launch a blog
Blogging is the easiest and cheapest way to market your business, especially with the help of SEO practices. You can either create a self-hosted site with your domain name or take advantage of the free alternatives such as Blogger, WordPress, Wix, and Tumblr, where you can begin posting regularly to reach your target audience.
Use sponsored social networking ads
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great avenues to promote your business, especially through affordable paid advertising. And with the recent launch of the Meta Business Suite, cross-posting on Facebook and Instagram is easy to use without having to do too much work! Instagram ads also help lead directly to landing pages, generating more traffic to your website.
Collaborate with influencers
Engaging with big names in your industry with huge social media followers is the easiest and cheapest way to advertise your business. Are you selling coffee? Apparel? Beauty products? Connect with the right influencer and send them your products for an honest review! This technique also helps build your brand reputation – glowing positive reviews will likely lead to improved sales.
Stay connected through email
Email marketing is still one of the most effective marketing techniques to this day. Email campaigns such as monthly newsletters or scheduled promotional offers can help you stay connected to your audience by directly sending them information or, better yet, exclusive content for only subscribers to see. The internet is a huge source for high-quality platforms, including Mail Chimp, which offers free email marketing up to the first 2,000 email addresses.
Use search ads
Search engine marketing through platforms such as Google Ads is another cost-effective way to drive traffic to your website. Marketers would only need to pay each time a user clicks on the ad when it appears in the search results. SEO also plays a vital role in this marketing strategy, with customers depending on the keywords they search.
