6 Fun and Inexpensive Ways to Advertise Your Freelance Business

Marketing and advertising your freelance business should not mean spending lots of money to reach your goals. Here are seven cost-effective and fun ways to advertise your freelance business and gain new clients.

Social media: Outlets like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter – rank as one of the top ways to market and advertise your business to the general population in today’s small business markets. The reason for this growing and successful trend is not only because social media marketing is, for the most part, cheap and oftentimes free, but because its reach is far greater than most other avenues (TV, print, and radio). If you know how to use social media to benefit your business, you'll find that it's an effective and fun interactive way of connecting with current and potential clients.

Business Website: Just as social media can expand the reach of local businesses to a broader, national, and global clientele, business websites must be an essential part of any business’s marketing strategy if they wish to draw a diverse customer base. Meaning, get out of being a local business. The world is connected today because of the internet, such that I can run a business from the United States and pull in clients from as far away as Uganda. A business without a website in today’s market is like a business without a phone number back in the day. How do people find and reach you? There are several do-it-yourself websites available to help you get started, and they do not cost a fortune. Just be careful that you choose the right one to avoid certain pitfalls.

Word of Mouth/Networking: Excellent service + Satisfied and happy clients = Free word-of-mouth advertising. As a small business owner, always remember that one happy client can double or triple your client base. Networking works just as well. Just be sure to pick the right networking events. Be nice to the people you meet. Give back. Help others succeed in their own business endeavors and you will reap the rewards of good references. So, get out there and network with people, and watch your business grow.

Car decals: I have personally not tried this route for my business, but if my curiosity is like anyone else’s then I can assure you that those who use car decals as a way of advertising their businesses get at least a few web visits a day (if they have a website). It is normal for me to make a mental note of the businesses I see advertised on cars and look them up online when I get home. I do this even for businesses I have no use for at that moment. Just out of curiosity. You never know who is driving behind you.

Tee shirts: The same goes for walking billboards. In a recent issue of Fortune magazine, Indiegogo co-founder and CEO, Slava Rubin, says he wears company tee-shirts when traveling. Of course, the name usually attracts questions from curious passengers and bystanders. According to him, it’s his way of “advertising without having to spend too much money on a marketing budget.” I say if this strategy works for you, then do it. I plan to. Customized tee shirts can be purchased at a reasonable cost from places like Vista Print and are fun accessories that are sure to spark the occasional conversation. And there’s no better way to show pride in what you’ve built than wearing your business on your back. Literally. Be your own walking billboard.

Business cards: A good business card should name the business basics. Name of the business, services provided, contact name, contact email, contact number, and website address. Services may be listed as a slogan or a basic description, such as “your one-stop writing & editing studio.” This gives the receiver an idea of the services you provide without having to list them all. In place of business cards, personalized bookmarks, wallet calendars, and pens or stationery, can make your business stand out.

Ultimately, the way you choose to spread the word about your business is up to you. But remember, keeping a low advertising budget helps you save some money for those rainy days when business is slow. So, weigh your options against your budget and do what works best for you and your business.