4 Free Methods to Excel at Digital Marketing on a Budget
It’s easy for small businesses to get discouraged when looking at all of the financial resources that larger brands have available at their disposal. However, just because you don’t have a six- or seven-figure marketing budget, doesn’t mean you can’t be successful.
Digital marketing can get really expensive really quickly. It’s not uncommon for big brands to spend thousands of dollars a day on ads and content. However, a big budget is by no means a prerequisite to being successful. If you’re willing to be strategic and use your head, the following budget-friendly marketing tips will help you obtain similar results at a fraction of the price.
1. Invest in Guest Blogging
Few strategies are better than guest blogging. Guest blogging – regardless of which side you’re on – is the single most cost-effective marketing investment you can make.
“Blog readers are typically very loyal, especially when it comes to popular niche blogs,” mentions Jessica Moreno of Active Web Group. “Begin by researching the most popular and influential blogs in your industry, contact the blog owners and ask if they’re interested in contributors. By guest writing on reputable blogs, your word will be credible as readers already trust the platform, and you will receive free exposure in return!”
You can also accept guest bloggers on your blog. The major benefit here is that you get to publish free content without having to do any of the work. This not only saves you money, but it also saves you time that would have been invested in writing, copyediting, and publishing.
2. Partner With Influencers
As you can see, there’s immense value in partnering with others and combining resources. This is why a lot of digital marketers choose to align their brands with social influencers.
Influencers are essentially everyday people who happen to have magnetic personalities and lively social media audiences. These individuals have a lot of clout in their niches and can use this reputation to work closely with brands that are willing to offer something in return.
3. Utilize Free Tools
There are so many free tools available online. If you’re serious about making each dollar go as far as it possibly can, you need to utilize the right ones. For example, are you familiar with the HARO platform? This acronym stands for “Help a Reporter Out” and is the name of a network that connects journalists with brands in an effort to get stories published. If you ever feel like you have a good story that could really give your brand some positive exposure, this is worth trying.
There are other tools and resources online, as well. From social listening to content marketing, you can automate and streamline just about anything these days. Here are a few worth taking a second look at.
4. Try New Social Networks
It’s not always easy for newer brands – or even smaller, established brands for that matter – to gain traction on established social networks like Facebook. If you want to get the highest return on your marketing spend, try investing in newer social networks that aren’t already oversaturated in your niche. This will help you rise above the noise and connect with followers in a meaningful way.
In Conclusion: Your Budget Doesn’t Define You
It’s time that we stop looking at digital marketing through the lens of how big or small your budget is. The amount of money you have available at your disposal doesn’t have to define your success. By making strategic choices and being smart about where you spend your money, you can and will enjoy positive results.