5 Budget-Friendly Strategies to Promote Your Home-Based Business

If you’re running a home-based small business, your advertising budget is likely quite limited or even non-existent. However, there are still effective ways to reach your target audience and get the word out about your business.

One of the cheapest methods is using flyers, which can cost anywhere from $0 to $25 depending on how many you print and the method you choose. I know someone who promotes their academic editing services with tear-away flyers on college campuses. While college students might not be your target demographic, you can still make use of community bulletin boards in libraries, grocery stores, coffee shops, and even online boards like Craigslist. If you’re active in online forums, you can mention your business in your signature to gain more visibility.

Another cost-free method is to join newsletters like The Leads Field Guide, which offers tips, strategies, and free resources to help you grow your leads and close more deals.

Local media outlets are usually interested in featuring news about small businesses in their community. If you have something newsworthy, such as launching a new service or expanding your business, send a press release to your local newspaper or radio station. Just be sure to avoid common mistakes in press release writing.

Reporters often look for experts to provide commentary in their stories. Being quoted in an article or appearing as a guest speaker on a local radio show can give you free publicity. You can leverage those press releases to let reporters and producers know that you’re available for interviews and expert commentary on relevant topics.

Printing and distributing business cards is another tried-and-true method of advertising. For a relatively low cost, you can hand out business cards at networking events, after providing an estimate, or to new acquaintances. They can also serve as appointment reminders or coupon incentives for new customers.

Lastly, consider becoming a walking advertisement for your business. Wearing a branded polo shirt can make you look professional and increase your visibility. Whether you’re visiting clients, running errands, or attending events, a branded shirt can help promote your business wherever you go.