Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. Some of the best marketing strategies cost little to nothing, it’s all about being creative, consistent, and strategic with your approach.
This episode is packed with budget-friendly marketing strategies that actually work, plus the tools that make marketing easier and more efficient on a budget. So grab your notebook, and let’s get started!
What We Cover in This Episode:
- How to tap into the organic power of social media
- The impact of word-of-mouth and referrals (and how to encourage them)
- Why email marketing is still one of the best low-cost strategies
- How to get free PR and media exposure
- The benefits of collaborating and cross-promoting with other businesses
- The free and low-cost marketing tools that save time and effort
- The secret to repurposing content so you don’t have to start from scratch
Key Takeaways and Action Steps:
Make the Most of Organic Social Media
Social media is a free marketing tool, but it’s about engagement, not just posting.
- Engage daily – Reply to comments, start conversations, and interact with your audience.
- Show up consistently – Be present so your audience knows when to expect your content.
- Create shareable content – Think tips, how-to posts, behind-the-scenes, and engaging questions.
- Use short-form video – Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts favour video, boosting engagement.
Tools:
- Canva – For designing social media graphics.
- Descript and CapCut – For editing Reels, TikToks, and video content.
- MeetEdgar – For scheduling, automating, and repurposing social media posts.
Action: Plan your next three social media posts, one tip, one behind-the-scenes moment, and one engaging question.
Encourage Word-of-Mouth and Referrals
Your best marketing is what others say about you, especially when you’re not in the room.
- Ask happy customers for testimonials and reviews.
- Offer a simple referral incentive (discounts, bonuses, or rewards).
- Remind your network that you love referrals!
Tools:
- Google My Business and Facebook Reviews – Free ways to collect reviews and testimonials.
Action: Reach out to three happy customers today and ask for a testimonial or review. If needed, help draft it for them to make it easier!
Build and Use Your Email List
You don’t own social media platforms, but you own your email list, making it one of the most valuable marketing assets you can have.
- Offer a free resource (checklist, guide, or discount code) in exchange for emails.
- Encourage sign-ups through your website and social media.
- Send regular emails, updates, promotions, and valuable content.
Tool:
- MailerLite – Budget-friendly and easy to use for newsletters and automations.
Action: If you don’t have an email list, set one up today with MailerLite. If you do, send a valuable email to your audience this week.
Get Featured in Free Media and PR Opportunities
You don’t always have to pay for ads to get exposure!
- Pitch yourself as an expert – Journalists and bloggers are always looking for fresh insights.
- Submit press releases for business updates, product launches, or events.
- Use platforms like SourceBottle to connect with media looking for expert quotes.
Tool:
- SourceBottle – Free PR opportunities for business owners.
Action: Sign up for SourceBottle and find one PR opportunity to pitch yourself today.
Collaborate and Cross-Promote with Other Businesses
Working together with other businesses is one of the easiest ways to grow your audience for free.
- Do social media shout-outs for each other.
- Guest post on each other’s blogs or be a guest on their podcast.
- Host a giveaway together to grow both audiences.
Action: Identify one business to collaborate with and reach out today.
Maximise Free and Low-Cost Marketing Tools
There are plenty of amazing free tools to help streamline marketing.
Tools:
- Canva – For creating branded graphics.
- ClickUp – My go-to project management tool to plan and track content.
- ChatGPT and AnswerThePublic – Great for brainstorming content ideas.
- Google Trends and Google Alerts – To track trending topics and keep an eye on your industry.
Action: Pick one free tool today and start using it in your business.
Repurpose and Reuse Your Content
Don’t create from scratch every time, reuse what you’ve already done!
- Turn a blog post into multiple social media posts with ChatGPT.
- Cut longer videos into shorter clips using Descript or Opus Clip.
- Convert customer FAQs into a social media series.
Tools:
- Descript and Opus Clip – For transcribing, editing, and repurposing video content.
- MeetEdgar – For repurposing and automating content.
Action: Take one existing piece of content and repurpose it into at least two new pieces this week. Bonus points if you do three or five!
Your Next Step:
Marketing on a budget isn’t about how much money you spend, it’s about being smart with your strategy.
The strategies in this episode prove that small businesses can market successfully with little or no budget; it’s about leveraging free tools, focusing on organic reach, and making the most of what you already have.
Pick one or two of these strategies and put them into action today. Which one will you start with? Let me know!
If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow business owner who could use some budget-friendly marketing tips. Make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an episode where I teach you how to market your business without breaking the bank.
From branding to course creation, I help entrepreneurs build their impact and create lasting change. Book a discovery call with me.
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Highlights
- [00:00] Introduction to Budget-Friendly Marketing
- [01:01] Harnessing the Power of Social Media
- [02:55] Leveraging Word of Mouth and Referrals
- [04:05] Building and Utilising Your Email List
- [05:08] Media and PR Opportunities
- [06:02] Collaborating with Other Businesses
- [06:44] Maximising Free Marketing Tools
- [07:16] Repurposing Existing Content
- [08:04] Conclusion and Next Steps
