If you’re looking for promotion ideas for a business with a limited budget, these tried-and-tested free promotion techniques are perfect says Peter Decaprio. Remember that this list is by no means exhaustive and you can also create your own great ideas from scratch!
In fact, the best startups often come from basic experiments which turn into something big. Here they are:
1. Get listed with Google My Business & Bing Places
Google gives away free listings on their search engine when people conduct local searches. This is a powerful listing because its right in Google’s backyard so doesn’t miss out! If you have a physical location, is it worth getting a Google+ page for this too? Nowadays businesses need to be visible online through many channels in order to be successful.
2. Submit to Startup Directories
There are a number of startup directories on the web that list new companies for free, and some have submission forms or email addresses you can use to promote your startup. Here’s a list of some great listings:
3. Promote on social media accounts related to your niche
For example, you have a business in the fitness sector? Why not create an Instagram account or Twitter profile with those hashtags? You could even start a Facebook group where members share photos of their training sessions! If you’re creative enough, people will take notice and learn about your service as well as getting exposure through organic sharing – win-win! Just remember – content is king – post related images and informative but short text posts.
4. Submit to Startup Directories (Again)
Yes, directories sometimes provide the same listings, and you should certainly take advantage of this! But don’t get messed up by submitting your company details again and again for the same listing – it will only lead to a bad user experience and possible suspension of your account (trust me on that one). Still, some directories like Crunch Base may be more popular than others so they’re worth a shot! And don’t forget about other startup related communities which might give you exposure through their submission process explains Peter Decaprio. Here’s another list:
5. Seek out fellow entrepreneurs online who are willing to help & support each other
Look for LinkedIn groups dedicated to startups in your niche, or forums where you can chat about subjects related to your business.
These people are usually really open to helping out and giving advice, so provide value first before asking for any help. This will pay off in the long run!
6. Collaborate on content creation with other sites
This is actually one of my favorite promotion methods because it helps you build links (which Google loves) naturally without spammy tactics, plus it also looks good within your own circles & communities on social media. All of this means that traffic might start flowing more readily through word of mouth, which is an added bonus!
7. Answer questions on Quora
Quora is a great place to answer questions and spread your message and expertise online in front-page view says Peter Decaprio. Make sure you have a long, engaging description which covers how you can help people through your startup business!
8. Promote on relevant YouTube channels
There are many YouTube channels out there that can give you free exposure within their niche if you promote yourself correctly. Here’s an article about promoting your startup on YouTube to help get you started with this idea!
9. Get listed in Local Directories As well as Google My Business
It might make sense to list your company in other online directories too – these usually contain local listings for businesses operating within the region of the website itself (so make sure to check this first). Examples include Yell, Yelp & Thomson Local.
10. Get involved with Startup Grind
If you’re looking for high quality startup discussion and a possible link from their website, reaching out to Startup Grind is a good way to start – many entrepreneurs have been featured on their site.
11. Comment on relevant blogs within your industry of choice
Make sure you search Google for blog posts related to your niche which contain comments enabled – if so, drop comments with links back to your new website! You can also comment directly on Quora (which we told you about earlier) or other Q&A platform like Yahoo Answers or Just Answer. Just make sure it’s appropriate content related to the questions asked; otherwise this strategy won’t work very well!
12. Participate in Online Forums
If there are forums online where people discuss subjects related to your company, then now’s the time to get involved! Give genuine opinions, insights & helpful responses which provide value to other readers explains Peter Decaprio. Make sure not to spam your website anywhere though – you want to build relationships online with other people so that they check out your site when the time is right for them.
13. Attend Local Startup Networking Meetups
These are great places to meet potential new team members, pitch your startup idea if required and also gain exposure because the events are often uploaded onto social media channels like Facebook. You can find networking events in your local area by searching on Google or download an app called ‘Meetups’.
14. Setup a Press Release Distribution Service (if applicable)
Not all startups can benefit from this strategy since it’s heavily dependent upon your industry and story. However, there’s a chance that getting your startup into the press could be advantageous to you if done right! You can setup a FREE HARO account to get in touch with journalists once you understand what type of content they’re looking for.
15. Create helpful guides related to your business
Creating regularly updated blog posts which contain very specific (but hugely beneficial) information will attract software engineers, designers and other professionals who might like to work with your company one day. The more people who see this content, the greater the chance it will eventually reach people who need your services!
Conclusion:
There are numerous ways to get your startup online and begin the process of building an audience that will eventually be interested in what you’re offering. As we all know, providing a valuable service is the key to success – if people like what you’re doing, they’ll come back for more!
