15 Tips to Market Your Online Business for Little Or No Cost

How do I market my online business to get more customers without breaking the bank?

These days it is relatively easy to start a business online, but the real challenge is how to promote your products and services to get new customers and grow your income.

And that’s exactly why I’ve put together this list of 15 relatively low cost (or free) methods to market your online business to generate more Web traffic for your site leading to more sales and profits for you.

I’m not saying you have to follow all 15 of these online business marketing tips (of course, you can if you want).

However, a good start would be to try at least one or two of these ideas now. You may even find that you are already doing a lot of these things, but simply not getting paid…yet!

Market Your Online Business Tip #1:

Share testimonials of your products

If your online business sells a product, then it makes sense for you to become a “product of the product”.

The best way to do this is to simply purchase something from your own online business, then share your thoughts and testimonial with others on how you benefitted from it.

The best way to do this is by making a video and posting it on YouTube and other social media.

Here’s a video I made for CTFO CBD oil that I made a few years ago that is still consistently getting me online sales and affiliate partner signups on a consistent basis, all from this one video I made and posted up once:

Market Your Online Business Tip #2:

Set up an opt-in lead capture page to build an email list

Very rarely is a sale made on the first try.

That’s why having an opt-in capture page is such an effective way of marketing your online business and increasing sales.

An opt-in capture page gives you an opportunity to follow up with potential customers via pre-written automated email messages (also called “autoresponder emails”) that contain more information about your company and products as well as a call to action (such as a link to purchase).

A majority of these people who opted in to receive your emails will become more informed about your online business, and will then be in a better position to make a purchase.

Basically, having an opt-in capture page allows you to get a person’s email address in exchange for something of value, such as an eBook or special report.

Most typical opt-in capture pages feature a plain, no-frills design with just a few lines of text to simply pique the visitor’s interest.

The purpose of an opt-in capture page is to invite visitors to submit their contact info (usually just a name and email address) in exchange for more information on the following page, called a “bridge offer page”.

Here’s an example of my opt-in capture page targeting people interested in starting an online business in affiliate marketing:

After they put in their email address, they are then taken to your bridge offer page which explains in more detail how they can get started or to purchase your products.

And since you have their email address, you can then followup with more information via autoresponder emails that hit their inbox on a regular basis.

All this may sound fairly complex, however it’s actually quite simple to set up an opt-in capture page as well as a bridge offer page with autoresponder email messages, especially when you download your copy of The Insider’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing that also includes other valuable bonuses, including the 15-Day Online Business Builder Challenge:

In addition to the easy-to-read eBook and useful bonuses, you also get:

• A done-for-you automated online marketing system
• A turnkey opt-in capture page
• An impressive bridge offer page
• Pre-written autoresponder emails by professional copywriters (plus the option to write your own)

You will get everything you need to market your online business, capture leads, and convert sales for you on autopilot. Get access to it all now by CLICKING HERE.

Then all you’ll need to do is share your opt-in capture page link with others by using the tips I am sharing with you in this blog post.

Which brings me to my next method on how to market your online business, and probably my personal favorite…

Market Your Online Business Tip #3:

Start a blog

Over the years, I’ve written tons of articles on how to start a blog. But why is a blog such a great way to market your online business?

Quite simply, a blog is your way of sharing your knowledge with others to help them overcome a challenge they are facing.

Think about it:

When you have a question, what is typically your first step?

If you’re like most people, then you probably punch in your question into your favorite search engine, and then research all the answers you find.

And that’s exactly how a blog works and helps to market your online business. In essence, you are making Google and other search engines do the heavy lifting for you.

You simply share what you know and are passionate about, and people who search about these same topics will find your blog in their search results. And you can include information about your online business to promote it in your blog, either in full articles and/or banner ads and links.

It’s also a great idea to connect your blog with an email newsletter subscription service to alert your blog readers when you publish new articles.

I highly recommend GetResponse, especially for beginners new to blogging due to its ease of use and low cost starter levels for those just getting their feet wet with blogging.

An additional bonus of blogging is the concept of “guest blogging”. This is where guest bloggers contribute articles to your blog and they promote the article to their social network.

Alternatively, you can write a guest post for another blog in exchange for a link back to yours and promotion on their social networks.

Either way, you increase your blog’s readership and subscribers through guest blogging, which will help market your business online to more people.

Market Your Online Business Tip #4:

Arouse curiosity on social media

Every serious online business owner looking to build an income stream should embrace social media.

Can you think of another way to get your message out there with so many people worldwide instantly for free? Didn’t think so.

But what kinds of things should you post on social media to market your online business?

It’s important to portray yourself as a REAL person on social media, since people like to connect with, well…other PEOPLE. And not other companies.

You don’t necessarily need to spam your feed with all sorts of product photos and the company’s compensation plan.

While it is good to occasionally post up product info (especially in the form of testimonials), chances are your social media followers may not resonate with being “pitched to”.

Instead, consider posting up what Ray Higdon calls “curiosity posts“.

Basically, these are posts that include a photo and some text to arouse curiosity among your followers to reach out to you and learn more.

The key to crafting a well-written curiosity post is to also add some value or stir up curiosity from your followers who might be interested in learning more about what you are doing and your online business.

For example, if I were to create a curiosity post about CTFO’s CBD hair re-growth shampoo, I would post this before-and-after picture of an actual customer of the product as well as her testimonial:

“This is the top of my head. Top two pictures are beginning of January 2019. Bottom two, February 23rd. I have issues with self image and I’ve been freaking out about my thinning hair. Did not really want to put these pics of myself online BUT the pictures do not lie. I had to share because I know I’m not the only one struggling with this. This is a game changer. Products have a 60 day money back guarantee so there’s nothing to lose…….except maybe more hair by not giving it a shot. – Kathy R”

Market Your Online Business Tip #5:

Purchase Web traffic

I’m of the opinion that creating rock-solid content providing massive value for your audience is one of the keys to marketing your online business.

However you can also supplement these efforts to market your online business by investing in paid advertisements on social media and running solo ads to email lists at relatively low costs (e.g. $5 a day).

I could write multiple articles on how to make Facebook ads that generate traffic.

However, for the sake of brevity, I’ll simply introduce you to the initial concept of paying for traffic to market your online business. Then, you can decide for yourself if you’d like to try this route of marketing your online business.

When you sponsor a post on Facebook or any other social media platform, you have the option of targeting the right demographic for your products and services. This ensures only the people who are most likely to purchase and/or join your team will see your ad.

NOTE: When you get your copy of The Insider’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing, you are also given the option of getting additional social media marketing training including video tutorials on “Writing An Amazing Facebook Ad” showing you exactly how to target the right people and maximize your ad spend dollars.

Solo ads promote your online business into email newsletters created and managed by other online business owners with thousands of email subscribers who fit your customer demographic.

When you buy a solo ad you are essentially purchasing ad space in an email newsletter directing traffic to your online business (or opt-in capture page link).

One of the most popular places to buy solo ads online is Udimi.

Market Your Online Business Tip #6:

Attend networking events

A popular saying is: “Your network is your net worth.”

This means that the more people who know you, the more likely they’d be open to taking a look at what you’re doing with your online business. Remember, people like to do business with actual people they know.

I’ve written previously on how to network at events to meet new people and expand your sphere of influence.

Some helpful resources to learn when networking events are happening in your area would be your local business chamber of commerce as well as searching event calendar sites like Eventbrite.

A good strategy when attending networking events is to go there with the mindset of seeing who you can help with your knowledge and assist in making introductions to other people in your network.

In other words, network with the aim of giving to others, and this will then activate the receiving process back to you.

When you help introduce someone to a useful connection for their business, that person is then more likely to reciprocate the favor by referring you to someone who would be likewise valuable to you.

The more people who know, like, and trust you, the more likely they will be to help you grow your business, or even take a look at your products and become a future customer or partner.

Market Your Online Business Tip #7:

Post a Craigslist ad

Craigslist is a popular place to market various products, services, and opportunities for free. I’ve posted ads promoting my online business as well as various real estate investment opportunities and have made sales from it.

You can attract people interested in opportunities for generating additional income online under the Craigslist “Gigs” section, and create an ad that includes your opt-in capture page link.

And remember, you don’t just have to post to your local Craigslist page. You are free to choose any other geographic area on Craigslist as well.

Market Your Online Business Tip #8:

Purchase traditional advertising

There’s no reason to overlook such tried-and-true marketing tools like classified ads, print advertising/signage, mailers, business cards, branded clothing, and car decals to promote your online business.

If you already have to wear a shirt or drive your car, why not also turn it into a billboard to market your online business?

Afterall, if someone sees your customized Carhartt jacket or Propper patrol cap with your business name and asks for more info, then that’s one more person who discovers your online business thanks to your own marketing initiative and creativity.

I’ve seen costs for customized “tangible” marketing pieces vary greatly, but a good starting place to find a reputable online seller for branded promotional products is Amazon.

Market Your Online Business Tip #9:

Volunteer in your community

Offering your time and energy to worthwhile causes, such as serving on a charitable board or coaching youth sports, will inevitably expand your network and sphere of influence.

As more people get to know you, they would be more apt to take a look at what you are doing online for business or at least refer you to others who might be looking for what you offer.

Plus, volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and help align more people with a more positive timeline of reality.

Market Your Online Business Tip #10:

Build your team of affiliate partners

Every reputable online affiliate marketing business also includes additional compensation benefits for “sponsors” or those who help introduce new affiliate partners into the opportunity.

This type of comp plan is just like a real estate broker earning a commission when one of their agents under them sells a piece of property.

When your sponsored affiliate partner makes a sale, you as the referring partner will also earn an override commission as a “thank you” for your efforts in growing and supporting your team.

This encourages you to help support your team in learning the business and helping them to market online as well.

You may not originate many personal sales, however you could sponsor a new distributor who absolutely sets the world afire and makes tons of sales, which in turn will lead to more paychecks for you.

Market Your Online Business Tip #11:

Offer free samples

You might find that by offering potential customers a free sample of your product, this will lead to more future sales and referrals.

To offer free samples, you can simply purchase additional product from your own online store and hand them out to potential customers (don’t forget to followup and hear their feedback on using it), or your company may already have a free sample program for distributors.

When you join the free CTFO affiliate program, you have the option of offering free samples of their hugely popular KetoCreamer fat-burning MCT coconut oil creamer to potential customers.

Market Your Online Business Tip #12:

Speak at an event or Webinar

If you are a subject matter expert on a particular topic that people want to learn more about, then speaking at an event or hopping on a Webinar to share your story can be a great way to market your online business.

And the topic of your speech may not even be related to your online business at all.

By sharing what you know, people will not only trust and want to engage with you further, but you’ll also be seen as a leader making positive actions others can duplicate.

After your talk, interested parties will be in touch with you to hear more details or perhaps offer you more speaking and promotional opportunities to help market your online business.

At the very least, you will likely gain more social media followers and additional names added to your opt-in email list when you speak at events.

Market Your Online Business Tip #13:

Put out a press release

Back when I worked in marketing roles for traditional brick-and-mortar businesses full-time, I would write press releases for new products and other company announcements.

These “PR’s” would then be picked up by local and national reporters for further distribution and promotion to larger audiences.

This same tactic can be used to help market your online business with the wide variety of affordable online PR services.

Market Your Online Business Tip #14:

Add your link to your email signature

Email will always be one of the most important ways we communicate.

So why not include your opt-in capture page link into your email signature to get more subscribers and ultimately more sales and affiliate partners for your online business?

It costs nothing to include your link in your email signature. Don’t forget to include some teaser copy to encourage more curiosity clicks and signups.

Here’s the current email signature I am using:

—

James K. Kim (Jim)

Start a profitable affiliate marketing business for less than the cost of a large coffee: www.JamesKKimMarketing.com

Market Your Online Business Tip #15:

Engage in social media groups, comments, and Q & A forums

Groups are hugely popular on Facebook and LinkedIn, two of the largest social media networks.

When you engage with your expertise and offer value in these groups, you will naturally build your own social following from people you meet and communicate with online.

Similarly, leaving value-add comments to YouTube videos, blog posts, message boards, as well as online question-and-answer forums like Quora, will only elevate your online status as a subject matter expert.

This naturally leads to a higher organic (i.e. non-paid) following of people who truly value your opinion.

And when you have more of a following of people who like what you have to say, you will naturally have more traffic and clicks for your online business.

Chances are, you’re already using social media daily.

Why not use it to help benefit your online business while at the same time benefiting others with your knowledge?

Conclusion

Promoting your online business does not have to be costly or take a lot of time when you do a variety of different methods to help generate more traffic, build your following, and share your message.

When just starting out marketing your online business, choose one or two of the above methods and see what you feel most comfortable doing.

As you master these methods, you can then add a few more strategies to help build and grow your online business on autopilot.

What are your favorite ways to market your online business?

Let’s hear more about it in the comments below!