This article is contributed by Alan Walker at Penji
Almost all entrepreneurs find the marketing budget as a business hurdle. And businesses would feel a sense of achievement when their ads are in a billboard space in a busy intersection. It’s no surprise how outdoor advertising was the number one choice for most entrepreneurs. But out-of-home advertising comes with a hefty price tag, way beyond the limit of a company’s marketing budget.
Today, the internet gives equal opportunities for both startups and giant corporations. Leveling the playing field has become reachable, provided that marketers do some effective and affordable marketing tactics. So if you’re looking to promote your business online without breaking the bank, here are 10 simple ways.
1. Optimize your company website
If brands want to boost their online presence, creating a company website is one way to do it. However, not optimizing your website is futile. You’ll lead your visitors to a competitor’s site if your website loads very slow, not navigable, or has confusing copy.
Here are some tips to optimize your website:
- Buy a domain name and choose one that’s easy to remember
- Optimize your website for mobile
- Include eye-catching graphics
- Make your copy clear and concise
- Integrate keywords to rank on search engines
2. Create a Google My Business account
Google My Business helps brands manage how they appear on Google search results and Maps. When users find your business, how you appear may impact their next step. That is if they want to patronize your company or not. Your Google My Business account can let prospects see a snippet of your business. Users can see your business name, location, hours of operation, rating, website, and even images. And best of all, it’s free!
3. Connect with LinkedIn professionals
While social media marketing works, the old “networking” scheme still does as well. Unlike other social media channels, LinkedIn is solely made for businesses and professionals. This means new businesses can gain partnerships in this channel if they connect with like-minded groups and professionals.
It’s easy to scour for like-minded people on LinkedIn by using hashtags and joining groups and conversations. A pro tip would be to always create an impressive LinkedIn profile — one that will appeal to your target audience.
4. Find relevant web directories
We say relevant because an online business listing holds a small ranking factor for search engine algorithms. However, finding and promoting your business through web directories is still as effective.
Make sure to do a background check on the online directory and assess if it’s a reputable site. Check its page and authority domain score to know how credible the web directory is. Next is to do research and use analytics to figure out if your target audience frequently visits your chosen web directories.
5. Create a content marketing strategy
Content marketing is one of the most effective and affordable digital marketing strategies to date. And that’s why 86 percent of B2C marketers consider this a key strategy in promoting their business.
You can start through blog marketing. When going this route, ensure that your blogs are SEO-friendly as it’s the only way they can rank on search engines. Moreover, don’t neglect visuals when publishing your blogs. If you need a graphic designer, there is no shortage of options online and offline.
Additionally, don’t neglect other types of content. If you have evergreen content, try to repurpose it into other media such as podcasts, videos, or infographics.
6. Do online contests and giveaways
Social media network is another way to boost your brand’s online presence. If you employ the right tactics, you’ll see an influx of followers trailing your social pages.
One way to create buzz online is to do regular contests or giveaways. But don’t think of mundane ones. Make your contests enticing and fun, so users will be compelled to join. Plus, use user-generated marketing when doing these contests. One benefit of user-generated content is you’ll let your users do the marketing for you — at no cost.
7. Create eye-catching landing pages
Landing pages are standalone web pages with a primary purpose: Conversion. A landing page should have a straightforward design that doesn’t confuse your prospects.
It must not have many choices or menu options just like your website’s homepage. There should be a captivating hero images, coupled with evident call-to-action buttons. The sign-up forms should be short and sweet. Overall, optimizing your landing page means you’re getting more email addresses, follows, website visits, and, more importantly, sales.
8. Tap micro-influencers
While the more prominent celebrities undeniably rake in more conversions, they’re costlier. And since you don’t want to spend a fortune on promoting your business, run after micro-influencers instead.
As long as you choose your influencers correctly, you’ll likely appeal to their followers as well. For instance, go for influencers that have the same values and principles as your brand’s. Moreover, social media users can smell surface-level endorsements from a mile away. Make sure that you foster a relationship with the influencer and collaborate in the content-making process.
9. Create a buzz on Quora
Quora is undoubtedly a reputable site for gaining insightful information about anything you can think of. Quora’s whole concept is to ask and answer a question or publish a short write-up and garner feedback and suggestions.
For brands, this is where you can provide value to possible targets. Try to answer relevant questions meaningfully instead of bombarding thread-starters with promotional messages. Quora has over 300 million unique visitors every month, proof of how huge your opportunity is here.
10. Create tutorial videos
Video marketing is another conversion-driven digital advertising strategy that generates the best ROI, according to 51 percent of professional marketers. As with any other social media pages, you should also optimize your YouTube channel for more clicks and views.
Additionally, creating videos will need a professional. But hey, if you got the videography and editing skills and a good camera, you might earn wings for it. The most important thing is to provide value to your target audience in the form of easily-understandable tutorials.
Wrap Up
Any seasoned marketer knows how the online space can bolster brand awareness and increase your bottom line. Whatever your goal is, trying any of these digital marketing methods will help achieve it.
