25 Free and Low Cost Ways to Market Yourself

25 Free and Low Cost Ways to Market Yourself

In the modern age, the streets and avenues of marketing are not what they used to be. A lot of the old streets remain, perhaps, but the new virtual roads and byways add a new dimension.

Let’s look at some things you can explore while marketing yourself, according to Deborah Shane at Marketing Tips:

First off, the oldest method — older than email — in-person networking. When you remember what you know of a business contact, you probably remember the voice and personal contacts you had, not the email messages or Facebook posts.

Then there are a host of social media:

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.

And online video:

YouTube, Vimeo.

Also: Flipgram — an app, free and easy way to turn your business/personal photos into video pieces with music. You can use this to showcase events, workshops, conferences, networking, and vacations.

Emails also, including PRESS RELEASES — what is news? new certifications, awards, new hires, retirements, changes, community events, new clients, new services, and many other things.

PRLog: a free press release site.

Volunteer. This is a great way to make new contacts in a setting that is unlike your regular business or personal setting.

Phone and Skype: it helps to prepare a short, specific agenda about the talk.

Open houses — an excuse for people to come together in a setting that provides for all sorts of opportunities.

Podcasting — this is internet radio. Anyone can start their own radio station (for free if you are willing to allow ads).

Guest blogging — your experts can blog on other blogs, other expert bloggers blog on yours — its a trade in many cases, builds credibility and relationships.

Research and following trends

eBooks — easy to carry around, and people really get a chance to familiarize themselves with something new through a book.

Prior correspondence — go back through your old contacts and communications, make a list, and touch base again.

Google for Business — tools and opportunities to reach new markets through Google.

Your neighborhood, they should all be familiar with “what you do” if you want them to be. NOTE: business cards

Free workshop/Webinar: this is a meeting that can be beneficial to you in expanding your reach and the attendees who should learn how to become more personally successful. It should be short and informative, and focused on one or two things. Promote this free online and through social media and email.

Fee workshops, webinars, seminars. Affordable, though. These will be a little longer and more informative, and will often require renting a space.

Branded name tags give people a memorable visual association of your connection to a company.

Email marketing — permission based. Services such as Constant Contact IConnect and Aweber do this. Organize your mailing database.

Magnetic signs. DO NOT PUT THESE ON COMPUTERS OR ELECTRONICS. You can use them on cars and refrigerators. The stick without leaving a mess, and can be transferred between people.

Sphere-ing: business casual inviting of people who matter to you and who might want to enter relationships with each other. They may come from totally different walks of life.

Meetup.com — online service that allows you to organize groups to meet face-to-face.