Just because you don’t have a million dollar budget to spend on promoting your business doesn’t mean you can’t still be effective in advertising.

There are many low-cost marketing options available that you can implement and use in your business. What’s even better is that is that a lot of these marketing strategies can be implemented for free.

Here is a list of 20 low cost marketing and promotional ideas that you can use to kick off your marketing campaigns for the New Year:

1. Canvassing

This method involves printing out some inexpensive flyers and handing them out at local business parks or stores. Canvassing works very well for service-related businesses.

2. Content Marketing

I am sure by now that you have heard all of the hype surrounding content marketing. Well, I am here to tell you that content marketing is not hype and that it does in fact work. Content marketing involves writing valuable content and then marketing that information via different platforms such as social media platforms, your website and etc.

3. Invest in Door Hangers

Door hangers can actually be even more effective than mailings because they are hung directly on the customer’s door and have a greater chance of being noticed.

4. Invest in a Professional Website

You can create a professional-looking website by using any number of free website builders online. WordPress is a great platform to use for building a professional website.

5. Create and Offer Free Coupon Cards

Free services or consultations, you’ll encourage customers to give your business a try. Here is an additional tip: consider using the back of your business card^[1] as an area to offer freebies.

6. Start a Blog

Blogging is an excellent way to market and promote your business on the cheap. Make sure to write frequently and keep your customers in the loop about what’s new with your business.

7. Get Active on Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are free and excellent platforms that you can use for promoting your business. Not convinced that social media is a right fit for your business, check out these statistics courtesy of Convince and Convert^[2].