Free and Low-Cost Ways To Promote Your Business

There are ways to promote your business that are free or very cost-effective. Starting a business is not always easy. First you have to come up with an idea. Then you need to come up with a business plan. Next is marketing or promoting your business to get customers or clients or people to visit your website. How do you exactly go about doing that?

Following are just a few great ideas you can use right away to promote your business. Some are free and some; the cost is minimal. How much you decide to spend depends on your current business financial situation and the weight that you place on advertising for your business.

1. Blogging

Blogging is free and can really be a great way to promote your business initially and ongoing. It's important to write great content and use tags that will help people find your blog. Just name your blog and start typing! If you're not good at writing, why not hire a freelancer to whip something up for you!

2. Social Networking

No one can argue the importance of word-of-mouth. Sites like MySpace, Twitter and Facebook are great ways to start promoting your business. Also, there is LinkedIn, Digg and Reddit. I recommend joining all these sites. YouTube is another great way to promote your business. If you know how to make a video, there are millions of people on YouTube and its also free.

3. Business Cards

Depending on the type of business you have, these can prove beneficial. Try to include a photo of yourself if possible or include some bullet points that highlight the best of your business. Usually you can get 500 business cards for $20 or less depending on what you have printed on them.

4. Promotional Items

If you have the money to invest in your business, promotional items can be a godsend to your business advertising. Start off small with something like pens, pencils or calendars with your business name, website, address or phone number printed on them. As you gain more revenue, you can add things like coffee mugs or glasses, T-shirts or bags. Find the perfect product to advertise your business!

5. Forums

There are forums out there for just about everything. Join forums that have something to do with, or can directly benefit from your business. Make sure that you don't just post comments about your business and nothing else. You need to build a presence on the forum and contribute helpful and useful information. You can add a signature line to your comments or direct people to your website for more information.

6. Grab bags

Grab bags can be filled with promotional items and other things such as bottles of water, key chains, small notepads, puzzle books, lotion, bags of chips, gum or candy bars. You can buy these items in bulk at a dollar store and use a bag with your company's name imprinted on it. Give the bags out at bars, stores, schools--always check with the establishment and make sure it is okay with them. (Be sure to give them a couple of bags!) You can place an order here. (This dollar store also accepts manufacturer coupons in-store).

7. Create a website

Let's face it, we are a digital world. I can't remember the last time I looked in the yellow pages for something. I do all my work and play online. Some companies will let you try a website free for 30 days like, Intuit. Others will charge you a nominal fee to get started. Do your research on domain names and search for companies that will let you try it free before you get locked into something that you're not going to use.

8. Direct Mailing Lists

Most people refer to this as "junk" mail. However, not everyone throws this away without looking at it first. If your business is appealing to someone service-wise, they will keep your flyer or postcard on hand. There are several companies that perform this service for a fee.