When you start an internet home business, you probably do not have a large capital to invest in it, and you are not willing to risk to take out a bank loan, either. This means that you need to make do with your regular income and start making money from your business as soon as possible.
The only surefire way to get your business known and start selling your products and services is through a smart online marketing campaign. This involves your website, blog, using social media and email marketing strategies. There are various marketing strategies which can help you build a solid and recognizable brand, but today we will focus on free or inexpensive marketing tips which will help you raise the first wave of awareness and get you your first clients.
As your business grows and you can afford to invest money in marketing strategies, do not completely give up the following tips because they work on a long term basis as effectively as on the short term.
1. Create a Referral Program
Ask your friends and relatives to help you find more customers through a referral program, and reward them for every new customer they bring. These referral programs are very effective at any level, because friends and happy customers are always willing to recommend your business and products. And it is even better if they win something doing so.
The reward may come as a gift card, a discount on your own products, or even a free product. The latter two options are great because you do not have to spend money from your budget on the rewards given in the referral program.
2. Ask Bloggers to Review Your Products
Offer free products to prominent bloggers and thought influencers in your niche, asking them to write a review in exchange. There are a lot of bloggers who are writing product reviews on a daily basis, and they are already recognized as fair and unbiased reviewers by readers.
A professionally written review, pointing out the key features and benefits perceived by an outside user (not related to you or your business), has a stronger impact than your own blog posts or product descriptions.
3. Become a Guest Writer
This method of gaining awareness and authority is especially recommended if you create and sell digital properties, your skills or services. You can start small, answering questions on Quora, and then contact various online magazines, forums and specialized blogs, asking to become a guest writer for them.
Guest blogging is valuable because it helps you gain authority as an expert in your niche and it helps with your link building efforts (every guest blogging platforms allows at least one link to your website).
4. Look Out For Online Ad Credits
Google AdWords and Facebook ads may be out of your budget range as you start out in business, but you may get your hands on discount credits, most usually offered by your web hosting provider. As there are more and more providers on the market, each company tries to add attractive benefits to their offer. In many cases, this added benefit takes the form of credits or a discount code for Google or Facebook advertising.
5. Develop Your Networking Skills
The best way to promote and grow your business is to meet the right people, partner with them or find out how you can assist each other in your business endeavors. Although your business is virtual in nature, participating at business events, trade fairs and enlarging your LinkedIn network are some of the best ways in which you can reach out to other small business owners and thought influencers and create growth opportunities for your business.
These simple tips are not going to gnaw a big hole in your budget, but will help you grow your customer base and develop your business. Be consistent in applying them, and you will find the success you wish for.