Most people starting up their own business don’t have a big budget or very little to spend on their marketing efforts. But do you really need to spend a huge amount anyway?  With social media playing a huge role in many companies marketing strategies it’s cut the cost of most marketing budgets.

Below are my favourite top 10 FREE marketing strategies that I use and personally can recommend. The important thing to remember is to be consistent with your marketing and to do it regularly. I would recommend doing each of the following on a weekly basis. I have seen amazing results and you can too!

1. Youtube

Youtube was founded in February 2005 and now is ranked No. 4 of the top sites on the web. It has millions of people watching video’s every day so is a great way to increase your SEO (make sure you choose your key words wisely) by driving people to your website(s). Don’t be shy about networking on Youtube as well. Post comments and build up a subscription base. Youtube is a really great way to not only drive traffic to your website but also generate business. Check out my channel here

2. Article Submission

Writing articles and submitting them to the various directories is another free and great method to bring people to your website. It also helps you become an expert within your chosen niche. There are many article directories that you can submit to, below are my favourite ones:

EzineArticles
GoArticles
WebProNews
ArticleDashboard

3. Blogging

Blogging is an excellent method that should be used as part of your online marketing plan. It is a great way for getting people connected to you and drives people to your website. By posting regularly you also raise your profile online. One of the most immediate great things about blogging is getting people to comment and seeing discussions start. This gains interest to the blog and back to your company, particularly if you do it well and consistently.

You can set up a blog for free. I recommend using http://www.wordpress.com or http://www.blogger.com

Check out my blog here

4. Twitter

Twitter would have to be the fastest growing site on the web today. It is currently ranked 13th of the most used websites on the web and is taking the internet by a storm. There are around 10,000+ new users per day signing up to join.

Twitter is best described as a micro blogging platform. You are limited to 140 characters each time you do an update, which initially, may seem a small amount. However, as you become more experienced, it’s just amazing what you can fit into 140 characters.

Twitter is one huge global chat room, but then again, it doesn’t have to be. It all depends on how many people you follow on Twitter.

I highly recommend using Twitter for business, it’s a fabulous way to drive traffic to your website as well as gain business. Follow me here

5. Facebook

Facebook is the 2nd most used website on the web (after Google). It’s a social utility that connects people, to keep up with friends, upload photos, share links and videos. It’s also a fabulous way to promote your business, drive traffic to your website and gain new business. Connect with me on Facebook here

6. Squidoo

Squidoo is a popular publishing platform and community that makes it easy for you to create “lenses” online. Lenses are pages, kind of like flyers or signposts or overview articles, that gather everything you know about your topic of interest. Another great free way of promoting your business and driving traffic to your website. Check out my lens here

7. Free Classified ads

There are various websites where you can place a classified advert for free. Here are my favourites:

http://uk.freeads.net/#
http://www.vivastreet.co.uk/
http://www.classifieds.co.uk/#
http://www.freeukclassifieds.co.uk/

8. Ecademy

Ecademy is a Social Business Network founded in 1998. Ecademy enables business people to connect through online networking as well as business networking events. You are also able to post blogs, and “marketplace listings”. Ecademy is a great way to generate business together with driving people to your website. Connect with me here

9. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries with over 48 million members. LinkedIn is another great online network which raises your profile online, drives people to your business and generates business. Connect with me here

10. Network

Okay the last free place is pretty obvious but often forgotten. I recently went to one of my daughter’s friend’s birthday party. I met a guy that I hadn’t seen for ages and, of course we got talking. I had no idea that he was interested in Online Marketing and when I told him about what I was doing now he was incredibly keen and wanted to know more about it. He also had a few friends who liked the opportunity. (By the way after the party we got chatting via Facebook too!) Networking amongst your friends, family, colleagues and wider circles is a huge and incredibly powerful way to get business. People buy from those they like and trust, and who better to buy from you?

Don’t forget to do simple measures to ensure that you can network wherever you go! Always take your business cards with you and don’t be afraid to talk business at social gatherings.

I hope the above tips help you. There are many more free places to promote your business, but these are just a few to get you started! It’s important to remember that effective marketing doesn’t always equal big budget.

You are looking for ideas to start a new business. In particular you want a means of making money with low start-up costs. You might want to be a part of someone else’s enterprise or to create a new business of your own. 

One way is to start your new business on the Internet. This has a number of advantages. For a start, much of the basic equipment you need may already be in your home. Of course you will need a computer with a high-speed Internet connection (broadband or cable). You will also need a desk, telephone and a printer. Got all that? Then let’s get going and explore some tried and tested ideas.

 1. Blogging

 A ‘blog’ lets you create an online presence without all the effort and technical issues of setting up your own website. (Your own website will come later and may even incorporate its own blog.)

Many blog services are offered with free hosting and with features already installed – so setting up is easy. Blog about anything that interests you and is likely to interest others. If you have a niche subject area, your blog is likely to get more attention than if it is merely a personal record.

Your blog might even provide some revenue via schemes like Google AdSense and pay-per-click advertising.

2. Internet Research

If you can find your way around the Internet and use search engines to discover almost anything, then you can market yourself as an Internet researcher. Companies large and small will pay you to find information and create reports from the research.

3. Product Sales

You have a hobby like making and selling crafts? Why not expand your business online with your own website? You will need to set up a website that caters for your particular product lines and then market the products online to attract customers to your website.

4. Selling on eBay

eBay is one of the original online auction systems. You can use it to sell items that you created or other goods that you own and want to sell. There are now those who sell on eBay to make a living – effectively making it your own Internet shop. As your business expands, you may want to consider other market places.

5. Virtual Assistant

In the beginning, if a company wanted a PA or administrator, it either employed one or hired a temp. In either case there was the overhead of providing office space, a desk, telephone, computer, etc. However a virtual assistant (VA) can provide many of these administrative functions using his or her own equipment and working from home. The VA stays in touch with the client via the Internet and telephone. Thus the client saves the significant overhead incurred from in-house staff.

Not surprisingly the VA is a significant trend for many client companies. They provide a cost-effective service since the client only pays for time used or tasks done. Examples of VA work include audio typing, website administration, Internet research and creating reports.

6. Freelancing

Many businesses, whether online or offline, need help. Freelancers can provide this help by working from home (or their own office) and staying in touch via the Internet. This is better value for the client since there is not the overhead of hiring someone to work in the client’s own office.

Examples include freelance writer, graphic artist, website designer or programmer. Think about your own talents and consider whether you can work on this basis.

7. Membership Sites

This is a website that your customers (members) pay to access and to receive other benefits.

First you need to choose the niche for your site – for example, online marketing. Then you need to determine your membership structure. You might have membership categories of (say) gold, silver and bronze. A higher membership category would cost a higher subscription but would yield better benefits.

The sort of benefits that you might provide for your members could include newsletters, videos, articles or other services to help your members’ businesses thrive.

You will need to set up the website and then supply the materials required for your services and benefits. You may either supply the materials yourself or outsource the task.

This has been a list of ideas to get you thinking. What is it that you can do via the Internet?