Low-Cost Advertising Strategies for Small Businesses

Modern Mentor AI

Posted in Marketing, Business 5 min readJanuary 24th, 2025

Relevant Influencers

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Alex Hormozi

Business, Marketing

An American entrepreneur initially started his career as a management consultant, but left this post to pursue a career in fitness, opening his first gym at 23. Within three years, he and his wife established six gym locations, later developing a boutique gym model, which they licensed to 5000+ gyms worldwide. The couple established a supplement and software company to support their gym network, selling a 66% stake for $46.2M in 2021. They then founded a private equity firm, Acquisition.com, managing 16 companies with a collective annual revenue of $200M by 2023. The duo now focuses on providing business education, publishing books and free courses for entrepreneurs.

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Gary Vaynerchuk

Business, Marketing

The entrepreneur gained financial success by expanding his family's wine business from a $3M to a $60M venture in five years before launching VaynerMedia, a popular digital agency. He has made strategic investments in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Uber, and Birchbox. He also co-founded VaynerRSE, a $25M investment fund. He hosts the #AskGaryVee Show, offering advice on entrepreneurship, based on his personal experiences. He is a respected public speaker and has received recognition by Fortune and Crain’s 40 under 40 lists. His life and accomplishments have been profiled in several major publications.

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Patrick Bet-David

Business, Marketing

Escaping from the Iranian Revolution of 1978, Patrick Bet-David ended up in a German refugee camp before migrating to America. After serving in the U.S Army and being introduced to entrepreneurship, he launched his own companies. As the CEO of PHP Agency, Inc. and Valuetainment Media, LLC, and a 4x published author, Bet-David has over 10 million followers across different media platforms. Known for his engaging, provocative content, he covers a diverse range of topics on his successful YouTube channel, Valuetainment. His partnerships include famous personalities like Gabriel Brenner, Oscar De La Hoya, and Atalaya Capital Management.

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Allan Dib

Business, Marketing

Allan Dib is a successful serial entrepreneur, innovative marketer, and bestselling author, who has created and expanded several businesses across different industries. Despite intense competition in the telecommunications sector, one of his startups was recognized as one of Australia's fastest growing companies just four years post-launch, making it into BRW's Fast 100 list. Dib is dedicated to helping businesses harness technology and marketing to accelerate growth. He is a popular business coach, consultant, and speaker, offering his proven strategies and advanced tactics globally.

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Russell Brunson

Business, Marketing

A serial entrepreneur began his first online venture during his wrestling days at Boise State University. Within a year of graduation, he had already sold over a million dollars' worth of his own products from his basement. For more than a decade, he has been starting and growing online businesses. He owns a software firm, a supplement company, a coaching company and is a top-ranked affiliate. The scion also created DotComSecrets to assist entrepreneurs globally in launching, promoting and expanding their online businesses.

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Brendan Kane

Business, Marketing

Brendan Kane is a forward-thinking strategist for Fortune 500 companies, celebrities, and brands, specializing in audience engagement. He began his career at Lakeshore Entertainment, pioneering the company's first influencer campaign and working on films generating a $685m worldwide gross. Kane later developed platforms and applications for high-profile clients such as Taylor Swift and Rihanna, accessed by over 50 million people globally. He co-created an advertising technology with MTV, utilized by companies like MGM, Lionsgate, and Sony. Past roles include Vice President of Digital for Paramount Pictures and leading a major social optimization firm. Known for acquiring a million followers in under 30 days, Kane wrote bestseller One Million Followers to share his methods.

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Jake Knapp

Business, Marketing

Jake Knapp, author of "Make Time" and "Sprint", is renowned for creating the design sprint during his decade at Google and Google Ventures. He has mentored 150+ companies such as Slack, Uber, New York Times and LEGO, teaching his process. He is based in San Francisco where he resides with his family.

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Donald Miller

Business, Marketing

The CEO of Business Made Simple, an online platform designed to foster growth among small businesses, is also acclaimed as a successful author. His most popular work is the best-selling book 'Building a StoryBrand'. Apart from being a business expert and a writer, he also hosts the Business Made Simple podcast. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and daughter.

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Marty Cagan

Business, Marketing

Marty Cagan, founder of the Silicon Valley Product Group, is a renowned figure in the tech industry who was previously an executive at notable companies like Hewlett-Packard, Netscape, and eBay. His expertise spans product management, software development, product marketing, user experience design, software testing, and general management. He also offers guidance to tech organizations via SVPG. A prominent author, his written works include "INSPIRED: How To Create Tech Products Customers Love", "EMPOWERED: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products", and "TRANSFORMED: Moving To The Product Operating Model". He is also a distinguished keynote speaker.

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Rob Fitzpatrick

Business, Marketing

Rob Fitzpatrick is an author, entrepreneur, and business mentor. Over 14 years, he's run numerous small businesses and shared his knowledge in three handbooks: The Mom Test, The Workshop Survival Guide, and Write Useful Books. His books are studied at Harvard, MIT, and UCL, while companies like SkyScanner and Shopify utilize them for training. Having run training programs for companies like HP and Sony Mobile, he's also helped mentor numerous startups. His advice is practical and proven. Fitzpatrick also shares insights via short YouTube videos and more information about him can be found at robfitz.com.

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In the modern marketplace, small businesses face the dual challenges of standing out and budget constraints. However, effective advertising doesn't always require a hefty budget. Here are 20 low-cost advertising strategies tailored for small businesses, categorized into local and national approaches.

Local Advertising Ideas

1. Partnership with Local Businesses Collaborate with other local businesses to offer joint promotions or bundle services. This cross-promotion expands your reach at minimal costs. Learn More Local Business Strategies in our article, Expanding Your Local Business Network.

2. Community Involvement Sponsor local events, sports teams, or charity drives. This not only enhances your community presence but also builds goodwill towards your brand.

3. Free Workshops or Classes Host free workshops or classes related to your business expertise. This positions you as an industry authority and brings potential customers through your doors.

4. Local Business Directories Ensure your business is listed in local directories, both online and offline. Many communities have free directories where you can list your business.

5. Utilize Local Bulletin Boards Post flyers or business cards on community bulletin boards found in libraries, community centers, and grocery stores.

6. Press Releases to Local Media Send press releases to local newspapers, radio stations, and TV channels about significant business milestones, events, or unique offerings.

7. Customer Referral Program Implement a referral program that rewards existing customers for bringing in new clients. Word-of-mouth is powerful and cost-effective.

8. Local SEO Optimize your online presence for local searches. Ensure your Google My Business listing is updated and encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.

9. Vehicle Branding Use your personal or company vehicle as a moving billboard. A one-time investment in vehicle wraps or magnets can generate visibility everywhere you go.

10. Guerrilla Marketing Employ creative, unconventional marketing tactics like sidewalk chalk messages, flash mobs, or unique installations that can create buzz and attention.

National Advertising Ideas

11. Social Media Presence Leverage social media platforms to connect with a broader audience. Regularly post engaging content that reflects your brand's voice and values.

12. Content Marketing Create valuable content such as blogs, infographics, and videos that address your target audience's needs and interests. This can improve SEO and attract a national audience.

13. Email Marketing Collect emails through your website or in-store and start an email newsletter. Share promotions, news, and valuable content to keep your audience engaged.

14. Participate in Online Forums Engage in online communities and forums related to your industry. Provide valuable insights and advice, subtly promoting your business.

15. SEO Optimization Invest time in optimizing your website for search engines. Use relevant keywords, improve site speed, and ensure mobile-friendliness to attract a national audience.

16. Affiliate Marketing Partner with bloggers or influencers who can promote your products to their followers for a commission on sales generated through their referral.

17. Online Webinars Host webinars on topics related to your business. This can attract a national audience interested in your expertise and offerings.

18. Google My Business Even for national visibility, a well-optimized Google My Business profile can enhance your online presence and make your business more discoverable.

19. Free Product Samples or Trials Offer free samples or trials of your product or service online. This can attract a wide audience and generate word-of-mouth buzz.

20. PPC Advertising Invest in pay-per-click advertising on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook. Even with small budgets, you can target specific demographics and interests on a national scale.