Updated: 3 June 2025

Thanks to the Internet, there are plenty of low-cost or free marketing strategies you can implement to build your business without spending a truckload of money.

Many digital marketing strategies boil down to having the time to work on them. They are often free (apart from the time spent), and so it’s a case of setting aside a block of time every week to work on them.

Here are just a handful of free or low-cost ideas to help reach existing clients and attract new prospects:

Embrace video

You can attract an audience by creating video tutorials or talks and post them on video-sharing sites. Most of you will have seen the great Will It Blend? video series — they reach out to millions of viewers for a tenth of the cost of a television advertisement.

Creating short and clever videos is one of my favourite low-cost or free marketing strategies. You can literally just use your smartphone on a tripod to record it, and then edit the video using iMovie or another low cost video editor. It could be a vlog, or a well scripted short video.

Cross promote with other small businesses

Cross-promotion with other small businesses is a smart, cost-effective way to expand your reach and attract new customers. By partnering with businesses that complement—rather than compete with—your own, you can tap into each other’s audience and grow together.

For example, a café and a bookstore might team up for a “Coffee & Reads” promotion, offering discounts to customers who visit both locations. These collaborations not only increase visibility but also build a sense of community, making customers feel more connected to your business.

A successful cross-promotion starts with finding the right partners and creating a strategy that benefits both sides. Whether it’s co-hosting an event, bundling products, or featuring each other on social media, the goal is to provide value to customers while strengthening your brand.

Joint giveaways, referral discounts, or shared email marketing campaigns can also be effective ways to drive engagement without needing a large budget. The key is making the partnership feel natural, ensuring that both businesses share a similar audience and complement each other’s offerings.

Beyond boosting sales, cross-promotions foster long-term relationships with fellow entrepreneurs. They open doors to future collaborations, networking opportunities, and even word-of-mouth recommendations.

When small businesses support each other, they create a stronger local economy and a loyal customer base that values community-driven initiatives. By continuously looking for creative ways to collaborate, you keep your business fresh, engaging, and always growing.

Use email

Nowadays it is trivial to build an email subscriber list and create a regular email newsletter. If you’ve yet to do so, I recommend creating an email newsletter to distribute to your clients.

Crafting good content and adding forward to a friend tools means they are more likely to be read and forwarded to prospective clients. Sign up to Campaign Monitor and try them out.

Write guest posts

Other blogs are always looking for well written expert content to share with their audiences. For these website or blog owners, it is free valuable content, and for you, a link back to your on website can pay off in SEO signals and new audience clicks. Guest posting really is a win win.

Try a small budget PPC campaign

It really doesn’t cost very much to try your hand at pay per click advertising. Services such as Google Ads allow for low budget, short-term advertising campaigns, which you can trial and then track the results.

Optimise your content

If you are writing blog posts and web pages, than you really must spend some time so you get to learn and understand SEO. Spending time on search engine optimisation can dramatically increase your ranking and have a considerable effect on prospects making contact with you.

Content really is one of the best free marketing strategies out there, and it keeps on giving months and years after your initial work and effort.

Try asking for (and rewarding) referrals

Asking for referrals is one of the most effective ways to grow your business, and the best part? It costs nothing.

Happy customers are often willing to spread the word, but they might not always think to do so unless you ask. A simple, well-timed request—whether in person, through an email, or even a follow-up message—can encourage satisfied clients to share their experience. People trust recommendations from friends and family more than any advertisement, making referrals an incredibly powerful tool for attracting high-quality leads.

To make referrals easy and rewarding, consider offering incentives. A discount, freebie, or exclusive service in exchange for a successful referral can motivate customers to take action.

However, even without financial perks, a personalised thank-you or a public shout-out can go a long way in showing appreciation. If you’re in an industry where trust is key—like wellness services or local businesses—genuine relationships and excellent service will naturally lead to word-of-mouth recommendations.

When customers feel valued, they’re more likely to become enthusiastic advocates for your brand.

Another great approach is integrating referrals into your regular interactions with clients. Whether it’s adding a friendly request at the end of a consultation or including a referral link in your email signature, keeping the opportunity visible makes a difference.

You can also collaborate with other businesses, cross-referring clients who might benefit from each other’s services. Over time, a strong referral network builds momentum, turning satisfied customers into loyal promoters who help your business grow organically.

Start public speaking

Public speaking is one of my favourite free marketing strategies. It’s a fantastic way to position yourself as an expert in your industry while promoting your business. Whether it’s presenting at industry conferences, leading workshops, or speaking at local networking events, getting in front of an audience gives you a chance to share your knowledge and build credibility.

When people see you confidently discussing your field, they begin to associate your business with expertise and trustworthiness. Plus, live events create real human connections—something that digital marketing alone can’t always achieve.

The key to effective public speaking is delivering value rather than just pitching your business. Instead of focusing solely on what you offer, structure your talk around insights, solutions, or trends that resonate with your audience.

When your speech feels informative and engaging rather than promotional, listeners are more likely to remember you and seek out your business later. Sharing relatable stories, case studies, or actionable advice keeps your talk compelling, ensuring your message sticks long after the event ends.

Beyond the immediate impact of your speech, public speaking can lead to long-term benefits for your business. Events provide networking opportunities where you can connect with potential clients, partners, and influencers in your industry.

Many speaking engagements also allow you to repurpose your content into blog posts, social media clips, or podcast interviews, maximising your reach beyond the live audience. By consistently putting yourself in front of engaged listeners, you create a reputation that attracts business opportunities—without needing a hefty marketing budget.

Share screenshots

If you’re a web designer, you could try posting screenshots of your work on photo-sharing sites. A good way to show off your design work is to post screen grabs on sites such as Flickr and the like.

You can even make your username your business name or URL. Be careful though, you don’t want to look like you are just spamming, as they all have strict terms of use.

Embrace local web directories

Directory listings are a powerful and often overlooked free marketing strategies that can boost your business’s visibility without spending a dollar. Platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and local directories put your company in front of potential customers who are actively searching for services like yours. By ensuring your business is accurately listed, with complete details such as contact information, operating hours, and high-quality photos, you increase your chances of being discovered. Plus, these listings improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for customers to find you organically.

Beyond simply listing your business, optimising your profile is key to standing out. Many directories allow businesses to add engaging descriptions, highlight unique selling points, and even showcase customer reviews. Positive reviews build trust and credibility, giving potential customers more confidence in choosing you over a competitor.

Encouraging satisfied customers to leave feedback can help create a cycle of organic growth, where word-of-mouth recommendations amplify your online presence. Regularly updating your listing with fresh photos, posts, or special promotions keeps your profile active and signals to search engines that your business is relevant.

Another major advantage of directory listings is their role in local marketing. Many platforms offer location-based filtering, which means customers searching for services in your area will see your business first. This is particularly valuable for small businesses looking to attract nearby customers without investing in paid ads.

Additionally, some directories provide free analytics that show how people are engaging with your listing, allowing you to refine your marketing strategy. By maintaining a strong presence across multiple directories, you create more touchpoints for potential customers to discover and interact with your business.

In Summary

The above low-cost or free marketing strategies have all been tried and tested, and work a treat for so many small and medium businesses across the globe. Give a couple of your favourites a try, and see how well they work for you.

Best of luck with finding your best low-cost or free marketing strategies, and I wish you plenty of success!

Last Updated on 3 June 2025 by Miles Burke

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