50 free or cheap advertising ideas

G. Lasagne

Free Member
Mar 12, 2008
2,345
432
First of all i am not a marketeer im a plumber, and secondly i did not compile this list i just stumbled across it and copy and pasted it, but i think theres some great ideas especially with the current economic climate that i never thought of, so here it is for everyone to see, hope you enjoy, i especially like the libary bookmark one, so can anyone print bookmarks and if so how much?


1. Put your website on notepads, pens, newsletters, bumper stickers, coffee cups.

2. Flyers. When you buy your morning paper, slip some flyers in with the rest of the newspapers.

3. Business cards (You can make up your own or get them free through VistaPrint)

4. Article marketing is one of my favorite method of advertising. If you write articles and then use a service to publish them, your articles become viral.Your articles will spread like a virus and could have the
potential to be viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

5. Participating in online discussion forums is an excellent way to get the word out about your business, and it is free. Build relationships first and use your signature file to let everyone know what you do
and who you are.

6. Free classifieds. Online classifieds as well as your local newspaper.

7. Targeted ezine advertising is one of the most cost effective ways to advertise your business.

8. Solo ads. Test, test, test. Your success depends on your ad and your heading!

9. Mail out postcards.

10. Purchase leads that are targeted and related to your business. If possible get their phone number and followup.

11. Bookmarks for libraries, do not forget to talk to your librarian first.

12. Purchase cheap seed packets, put a tag on them with your website as well as a saying like, I am in the business of helping people grow.

13. Use your knowledge and publish a newsletter or ezine. One your build up your list you can offer paid subscriptions or ads.

14. Word of mouth (friends and family).

15. Forwarded emails or replying back to unsolicited email. Add your testimony to your signature line.

16. Buttons.

17. Pens to hand out with a short advertisement and your URL.

18. Welcome baby cards for hospitals.

19. If your domain name is a string words, try capitalizing each. This helps people who just take a quick glance remember it.

20. Create an information type handout that briefly explains your business.

21. When you go to a garage or yard sale, ask if you can leave a few of your flyers there.

22. Community Colleges. Every student needs a part time job.

23. Put a business card in all outgoing mail including anything that has a postage paid envelope.

24. Visit establishments you do business with (doctor offices, health food stores, karate/dance studios, etc) and ask if you can leave flyers.

25. Car magnets. You can put magnets all over your car.

26. Promote your business for free in local magazines, newspapers, community newsletters, etc. Many rely on voluntary writing contributions.

Translate your knowledge into an article. It is free advertising and an effective way to establish yourself as an expert in your field.

27. Leave your business card in restrooms at restaurants or on cork boards around grocery stores.

28. Get a booth at school events and share what you offer.

29. Look into putting an ad in school sponsored publications (directories, PTA booklets, etc). Usually not to expensive.

30. Set up a free giveaway box in any store that will give you permission.

31. Post flyers at apartment complexes if they will allow it.

32. Place flyers under windshield wipers of cars.

33. Newspaper classified ads are cheap and effective. Ask about having your ad appear with a color background to make it stand out even more.

34. Buy a personalized stamp and put your ad on it. Stamp the back of any envelopes that you mail.

35. When it comes to advertising and marketing, repetition plays an important part in your campaigns success.

36. We all get junk mail with the postage paid envelopes. Just send a flyer back to the company and use their return envelope.

37. Personalized Tshirts.

38. Make up Gift basket raffles for Church bazaars, concerts held during summer, at your local community hall, or any town function. Do not forget to put your business card or some
other advertisement in the basket.

39. Put flyers on car windshields at your kids sporting events.

40. Leave a business card with your tip for your waiter/waitress.

41. Reply to spam email with your own business advertisement.

42. Give your business cards to friends and family and ask them to give them out to people they know who would be interested in part time income.

43. Put up flyers at the local colleges, libraries and grocery stores.

44. Ask your local chinese takeout if you can post a flyer in their window.

45. Create a post it stack of your business cards with a glue stick and then post them at pay phones.

46. Business cards with a magnetic back really stick in people's minds as well as on their refrigerator.

47. Leave business cards by the change machine in the mall arcade or at the ATM machine.

48. Put your website address on your sun visor using vinyl letters.

49. Find an old metal tin (or new), put a magnet on the back, put your business cards in them and then just attach this to your car when you go into a store.

50. Be different and get noticed. When you are unique then you are one step ahead of your competition.

There are many ways to promote your business without spending a fortune. Think outside the box. Most people notice things that are different,
something that draws their attention or even makes them laugh.

Keep it simple, keep it cheap and before you know it your success will be achieved without going broke.
 
Last edited:

Homshaw

Free Member
Apr 18, 2008
789
97
Darlington
and what is it you do?

I do send reminders BTW:)

I'm an accountant.

Used to have a really good book. Think it was called "80 inspirational ways to market your business". It contained similar tips to your own but I leant it to a client and it was never returned

Sounds like you're on the ball. Unfortunately many, while good at their jobs, fall down on marketing.
 
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jamesmd

Free Member
May 4, 2010
124
7
Bournemouth
to be honest, thats a really bad list.

it doesn't focus on attracting clients when they are actually in the market to purchase a product or service, its more for people like consultants.

have a look at this image: http://tutor2u.net/business/images/buying_decision_process.gif

the need recognition for your services are what? broken boiler? leaky taps? there must be many more...

how do people search for information to meet their need? yellow pages, local directories and local magazines, internet, friends, maybe they have a local bath store who they ask for a recommended tradesman...

evaluation of alternatives - what do you do that is better than any other possible alternatives to you? do you have a price guarantee? do you have a best service guarantee? do you have a price point, freebies, etc etc.

and the rest is pretty common sense.

if you're trying to sell to people, like selling the fact that people may need a new boiler, so why dont they let you come round and evaluate it, then you have to create the need for them, so you would need wider general advertising.

but in your case, as i see it personally, you would be wasting time and money by "18. Welcome baby cards for hospitals."

do you know what i mean?

and of course there are loads of things you can do to encourage repeat business, to make sure that you are the only person they will choose again, some of which are in that list, like fridge magnets, pens, leaflet drops....

you see what i mean?
 
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asap distribution

Free Member
May 14, 2010
11
1
Bristol
First of all i am not a marketeer im a plumber, and secondly i did not compile this list i just stumbled across it and copy and pasted it, but i think theres some great ideas especially with the current economic climate that i never thought of, so here it is for everyone to see, hope you enjoy, i especially like the libary bookmark one, so can anyone print bookmarks and if so how much?


1. Put your website on notepads, pens, newsletters, bumper stickers, coffee cups.

2. Flyers. When you buy your morning paper, slip some flyers in with the rest of the newspapers.

3. Business cards (You can make up your own or get them free through VistaPrint)

4. Article marketing is one of my favorite method of advertising. If you write articles and then use a service to publish them, your articles become viral.Your articles will spread like a virus and could have the
potential to be viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

5. Participating in online discussion forums is an excellent way to get the word out about your business, and it is free. Build relationships first and use your signature file to let everyone know what you do
and who you are.

6. Free classifieds. Online classifieds as well as your local newspaper.

7. Targeted ezine advertising is one of the most cost effective ways to advertise your business.

8. Solo ads. Test, test, test. Your success depends on your ad and your heading!

9. Mail out postcards.

10. Purchase leads that are targeted and related to your business. If possible get their phone number and followup.

11. Bookmarks for libraries, do not forget to talk to your librarian first.

12. Purchase cheap seed packets, put a tag on them with your website as well as a saying like, I am in the business of helping people grow.

13. Use your knowledge and publish a newsletter or ezine. One your build up your list you can offer paid subscriptions or ads.

14. Word of mouth (friends and family).

15. Forwarded emails or replying back to unsolicited email. Add your testimony to your signature line.

16. Buttons.

17. Pens to hand out with a short advertisement and your URL.

18. Welcome baby cards for hospitals.

19. If your domain name is a string words, try capitalizing each. This helps people who just take a quick glance remember it.

20. Create an information type handout that briefly explains your business.

21. When you go to a garage or yard sale, ask if you can leave a few of your flyers there.

22. Community Colleges. Every student needs a part time job.

23. Put a business card in all outgoing mail including anything that has a postage paid envelope.

24. Visit establishments you do business with (doctor offices, health food stores, karate/dance studios, etc) and ask if you can leave flyers.

25. Car magnets. You can put magnets all over your car.

26. Promote your business for free in local magazines, newspapers, community newsletters, etc. Many rely on voluntary writing contributions.

Translate your knowledge into an article. It is free advertising and an effective way to establish yourself as an expert in your field.

27. Leave your business card in restrooms at restaurants or on cork boards around grocery stores.

28. Get a booth at school events and share what you offer.

29. Look into putting an ad in school sponsored publications (directories, PTA booklets, etc). Usually not to expensive.

30. Set up a free giveaway box in any store that will give you permission.

31. Post flyers at apartment complexes if they will allow it.

32. Place flyers under windshield wipers of cars.

33. Newspaper classified ads are cheap and effective. Ask about having your ad appear with a color background to make it stand out even more.

34. Buy a personalized stamp and put your ad on it. Stamp the back of any envelopes that you mail.

35. When it comes to advertising and marketing, repetition plays an important part in your campaigns success.

36. We all get junk mail with the postage paid envelopes. Just send a flyer back to the company and use their return envelope.

37. Personalized Tshirts.

38. Make up Gift basket raffles for Church bazaars, concerts held during summer, at your local community hall, or any town function. Do not forget to put your business card or some
other advertisement in the basket.

39. Put flyers on car windshields at your kids sporting events.

40. Leave a business card with your tip for your waiter/waitress.

41. Reply to spam email with your own business advertisement.

42. Give your business cards to friends and family and ask them to give them out to people they know who would be interested in part time income.

43. Put up flyers at the local colleges, libraries and grocery stores.

44. Ask your local chinese takeout if you can post a flyer in their window.

45. Create a post it stack of your business cards with a glue stick and then post them at pay phones.

46. Business cards with a magnetic back really stick in people's minds as well as on their refrigerator.

47. Leave business cards by the change machine in the mall arcade or at the ATM machine.

48. Put your website address on your sun visor using vinyl letters.

49. Find an old metal tin (or new), put a magnet on the back, put your business cards in them and then just attach this to your car when you go into a store.

50. Be different and get noticed. When you are unique then you are one step ahead of your competition.

There are many ways to promote your business without spending a fortune. Think outside the box. Most people notice things that are different,
something that draws their attention or even makes them laugh.

Keep it simple, keep it cheap and before you know it your success will be achieved without going broke.

I thought i had covered every form of free advertising in the past but this article has really opened my eyes. Some great ideas. Thanks!
 
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G. Lasagne

Free Member
Mar 12, 2008
2,345
432
to be honest, thats a really bad list.

it doesn't focus on attracting clients when they are actually in the market to purchase a product or service, its more for people like consultants.




Great another marketing guru:rolleyes:

How can you say its a bad list, have you tried all the things on the list?
is submitting articles a bad idea?, is putting flyers up a bad idea? this list is not designed for me so the welcome baby cards would work great for someone selling baby clothes in the local area, and in fact would work well for me as i get loads of customers who want to get the boiler checked because they have just had a baby and want to make sure there house is safe and warm, plus i have installed loads of thermostatic valves in nurseries so they can control the temperature.

but what do i know im just a plumber your the marketing expert:rolleyes:

p.s what do you mean its more for consultants?
 
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jamesmd

Free Member
May 4, 2010
124
7
Bournemouth
dude, marketing student, it's in my sig ;)

that was just my 2 cents, my helpful contribution to helping you realise the best out of your trade, backed up by theory and helpful hints.

but whatever. what i was saying was people only really look for you when they want you. they're not in the purchase period, they don't care about plumbers.
 
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G. Lasagne

Free Member
Mar 12, 2008
2,345
432
dude, marketing student, it's in my sig ;)

that was just my 2 cents, my helpful contribution to helping you realise the best out of your trade, backed up by theory and helpful hints.

but whatever. what i was saying was people only really look for you when they want you. they're not in the purchase period, they don't care about plumbers.

Ok apologies, so what do you suggest the best way to market my business is, i mean actually market it, not just marketing spiel?
i have to be seen when people are looking for me, so how do i do that?
how do i get in the purchase period?
 
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Matt1959

Free Member
Sep 8, 2006
6,325
1,225
thanks Dave, every little helps. Couldnt help laugh at this one though - someone would probably nick the tin and leave the cards behind:) Did the list originate in the States btw?

49. Find an old metal tin (or new), put a magnet on the back, put your business cards in them and then just attach this to your car when you go into a store.

 
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Homshaw

Free Member
Apr 18, 2008
789
97
Darlington
The reason I like the list is because it is "free or cheap"

Marketing is like any other investment it's got to pay for itself

I do the books for lots of small and medium sized businesses. I see what they spend on advertising and marketing. I get a feel for what works and doesn't. What works for one business doesn't for another

I've seen trademan spend a fortune on Yell.com, newspaper ads and often they don't cover the ad

Had an electrician pay to put cards in a DIY store. Two year deal costing a packet. One year in and it hasn't generated one job from it. Most businesses get calls from Doctor's surgeries, the Police and Fire Bridgage saying advertise with us. Its usually some dodgy third party

See people pay 99 pound a month supposedly to be in the top three in goggle. Only trouble is there are about ten companies promising the same thing. Can't all be right.

As for marketing people. As I said above what works for one business doesn't work for another. If the business is big enough and they have specific knowledge of that industry fine. Much of the time they know less about what works than you do, They are far better at selling their product to you rather than yours to your customers

The most powerful marketing tool by far is "word of mouth". Do a good job, smile and communicate with the customer, show a little appreciation to people who recommend you and things will work out. Of course this takes time and effort and needs a critical mass of customers to start with which is where the above comes in

Nothing the matter with the list and if some don't work well it's on to the next one until you find what does.
 
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machineboy

Free Member
May 17, 2010
1
0
I like your list of advertising ideas, it covers a load of different ways to get the word out. I've just launched my first website which is basically a site that is showing people the correct way to go about setting up an online business. As i'm an affiliate to the actual creator of the course and need to get a list together I shall definitely be using a few of the methods in your list to get going.
Thanks
Mike :)
 
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