10 Great Ways to Promote Your Business for Free

In today’s economy, many businesses (big and small) are looking to cut costs on advertising, but still want to reap the benefits of promotion through online media and traditional print sources.  For companies that have very limited budgets, advertising on the cheap can be a difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are 10 effective ways to promote your business for free, and get great exposure with no cost to you.

Syndicate Your Content

Have you written articles about your business or business model?  Article distribution services like EZineArticles, ISnare, and IdeaMarketers are great outlets to syndicate your content and get your ideas out there.  Also, consider cross-promotion with your content.  Find websites or publications that provide content in the same vein as yours, and offer to write a few articles in exchange for your name/ business link to be placed at the bottom.  Not only is this a great method of free exposure, if the company really likes your articles, this could turn into a paid writing gig for you.

Google Local and Google Coupons

Google can be your business’s best friend when it comes to free advertising.  Sign up for a free account on Google Local, and within a few weeks, you will get a map listing for your company with all applicable contact information, including links to your website.  Also, Google has a free coupon tool that attaches your coupons (if any) to relevant site searches.

Yahoo Local

Like Google, you can get a basic company listing on Yahoo for free.  Your company will be listed by location and category, e.g. San Diego florist.  Also, Yahoo Local lists business reviews, and ranks these businesses higher on their search portals.  So, if you already have a bunch of happy customers, have them write a review for you, and you will be placed at the top of the heap…for free.

Online Classifieds

For decades, both the Yellow Pages and Penny Saver have been trusted names in the advertising industry, and now they are available online.  Basic business listings offered on these sites are free.  In addition, two relatively new classified sites, Gumtree.com and Vivastreet.com, also offer free listings.

Twitter, Facebook and Other Social Networking Sites

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even MySpace are great ways to access thousands of people for free.  In fact, many businesses today suffer if they are not plugged into at least one of these social networks.

Post a Video Online

We have all heard the term “viral video,” and how unknown people can become famous in minutes if their video appeals to a mass audience.  If you are creative and have a camera and editing equipment available, you can film a video of your business and post it for free on sites such as YouTube and MetaCafe.  Now it may never become viral, but it is a great way to get unlimited exposure.

Press Releases

Is there something unique about you or your business that people would like to hear about?  A good human interest story can be picked up by a local news station or publication.  Find stations and newspapers in your area, get the contact information for the editor or station manager, and send them your press release.  Your story, and your business, may be featured.

Create a Blog

Blogs are a great way to keep a constant stream of communication with new and existing customers.  Websites like Technorati and Mybloglog can help you attract readers and subscribers to your blog.  However, to maintain a successful blog requires that your blog stay progressive and up to the minute with appealing information.  This takes effort and quite a bit of time depending on how often you post, so make sure you have the patience and ability before starting.

Email Signatures

This may be the most overlooked (and easiest) form of free advertisement.  Make sure all of your emails, business and personal, include your business name and a URL to your site.  Adding graphics and a mission statement are also a good idea here; just make sure to include something that will make the recipient remember who you are and what you do.

Give a Presentation

Although public speaking is something avoided by most people, it can do wonders for your business, especially when the audience is in the same industry.  Find local organizations or workshops who are holding seminars in line with your business, and offer to give a speech at their next event.  Although this might be intimidating, it is a great way to get free exposure, and network with some potentially very helpful people.

Free advertising is available for your business, you just need to know where to look and what to do.  These methods are all great places to start.