Do you think of marketing as a huge task with expensive branding and strategy? You need graphic design, brochures and folders with multiple pieces of literature, ads in magazines, newspapers and yellow pages, etc, etc, etc.
I’d like to dispel the myth that this is all required. I’ve seen many companies with almost non-existent marketing budgets produce effective marketing. It is effective because it accomplishes its goal: to fill the funnel with prospects and opportunities.
I’m not saying that a company should start broadcasting its message without knowing who they are trying to attract - that would be a waste of time, even if it costs almost no money. Before anyone starts getting their message out, they should know at least two things: Who their target customer is, and What they are going to offer that customer. Once the business entity knows these two things, it can start testing the message. Now one just needs to know where to find the target customer.
With the exception of paid online advertising (for example, Google Ads), electronic marketing costs almost nothing and is affordable on any budget.
1. Email Marketing
If you have email addresses for customers, a good place to start your online marketing would be an eNewsletter.
2. Website and Blogging
If you don't have email contacts for your existing clients, you might want to start a website with a blog. Posting new content on your blog regularly not only establishes you as an expert in your field, but also keeps your website at the top of search engine results. It's not hard to get a basic website. You can go to 1and1.com and pay around $6/mo to get a basic website (domain name for about $8/yr) with a blog. It's easy, fast, and now you're in business.
3. Social Media
Once you have your email newsletter and website up and running, then you can expand to Social Media. It's important to research where your target audience gathers online - you don't want to waste time with social networks where your prospects aren't active.
Your marketing doesn't have to be hugely expensive. As long as you're smart about it, you can produce effective, targeted marketing with a very low budget.