As a small business Owner, searching for free advertising ideas and tips for marketing your business is never a new thing.
As a matter of fact, it’s the wisest thing any new business Start-up should sort after as it saves you some money and grows your experience in your target market while growing.
I’ve heard the idea from most marketers encouraging paid traffic if you really want to grow fast, while this is valid, there are still working free traffic sources for any niche market you’re promoting and if you give it a little time and consistency, you will definitely thank yourself for trying it out.
This article will introduce you to some known and unknown platforms for promoting your brand, Blog or Affiliate landing page, how they work and how you can use them to your advantage to generate website traffic, sales and leads all for free!.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Lets begin.
1. VK.COM
VK.com is a social network that has gained popularity in Russia and other Eastern European countries, with over 500 million registered users worldwide.
It offers a range of features that make it an effective platform for small businesses to promote their products or services, including groups, communities, and advertising options.
To get started with VK.com, you’ll first need to create a profile for your business. This can be done by registering as a new user and selecting “Create a Page” from the main menu.
You’ll then be prompted to enter your business name, description, and other relevant details.
Once you have a profile set up, you can start creating groups and communities to connect with potential customers.
2. Hacker News
Hacker News can be a valuable free advertising channel for small businesses looking to reach a tech-savvy and engaged audience.
By creating content that resonates with the community and focusing on authenticity and transparency, you can generate traffic to your website or online store, and build a loyal following.
This might include sharing insights or information related to the business, such as updates on new products or services, industry news, or helpful resources for other entrepreneurs.
it’s adviceable to focus on creating content that is informative, helpful, and adds value to the community Users are quick to spot promotional or spammy content, and may be put off by overly promotional language or tactics.
By doing so, you can build trust with the community and increase the likelihood of engagement and click-throughs to your website or online store.
3. Reddit
Reddit is one of the largest social news and discussion website that features a wide range of topics and subreddits.
This makes it an ideal platform for small businesses looking to reach a targeted audience.
One of the key benefits of using Reddit as an advertising channel is the ability to target specific subreddits that are relevant to your business.
For example, a business that sells weight loss products can target subreddits related to weight loss or health.
By doing so, you can reach a highly targeted audience and increase the likelihood of engagement and click-throughs to your website or online store.
It’s important to provide value and promote strategically on Reddit as Redditors are so allergic to promotional content.
Also, first check on each subreddit rules and abide to them.
4. Dribbble
Dribbble is a popular visual social networking platform that allows users to showcase their work, connect with others in their field, and discover new design trends and ideas.
You can advertise on Dribbble by creating a profile and sharing your design work, such as logos, graphics, or product designs.
By creating visually compelling content that showcases your products or services, you can generate interest and engagement from its community of valued users.
5. Cold Mailing
Cold mailing involves sending unsolicited emails to potential customers or clients who have not subscribed or expressed interest in the business.
Cold mailing can be a cost-effective way for small businesses to reach a targeted audience and generate leads but can also be risky and potentially ineffective if not done properly.
It’s important to note that this is not the best email marketing ethics and I would not encourage it except you are a pro or you’re fully aware of it’s consequences.
To increase the likelihood of success, you should ensure you are sending emails to a targeted audience, and should follow best practices for email marketing, such as avoiding spammy language and providing a clear call to action.
To Stay in good standing with the email ISPs, you can use this email spam check site to check the trustworthiness of your mails and it’s chances of reaching users inbox.
Looking for an email marketing software?,
I will always recommend Aweber or Getresponse.
6. Vlogging (YouTube,Vimeo, twitch)
Vlogging, or video blogging, involves creating videos that showcase a business, its products or services, and its overall brand.
Vlogging can be a highly effective and engaging way for small businesses to advertise their business and reach a wider audience for free.
For example, a restaurant could create a short video showcasing its menu and atmosphere, while a clothing store could create a video highlighting its latest fashion trends.
By creating engaging and visually appealing videos, you can build a connection with your target audience and generate interest in your brand.
To get started with vlogging, you will need to invest in video equipment, such as a camera, microphone, and editing software.
It’s also important to plan out the content of each video and ensure it aligns with the overall brand messaging.
Small businesses can share their vlogs on their website, social media channels, and video hosting platforms like YouTube, Tiktok or Vimeo.
By sharing the videos with your audience and encouraging them to share, you can generate buzz and attract new customers.
7. Pinterest
This is one my best platforms, Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform where users can save and share images, videos, and other visual content.
To get started with Pinterest, you will need to create a business account and optimize your profile with relevant keywords and a clear description of your business offerings.
You can then create boards that showcase your products or services, as well as related content that would be of interest to your target audience.
8. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where users can connect with other professionals, showcase their expertise, and find new business opportunities.
To get started with LinkedIn, you will need to create a company page and optimize it with relevant keywords and a clear description of your offerings.
You can then share content related to your industry, such as blog posts, industry news, and informative videos.
As a Small business, you can use LinkedIn to engage with potential customers by joining relevant groups, participating in discussions, and connecting with other professionals.
By building relationships and establishing your expertise, you can position your brand as thought leaders in your industry and generate interest in your services.
9. Product hunt
Product Hunt is a platform that allows users to discover and share new products, services, and technologies.
As a small business Owner, you can use Product Hunt to showcase your offers, generate leads, and get feedback from potential customers.
To get started with Product Hunt, you will need to create an account and submit your product for review by the community.
Once approved, your product will be visible to Product Hunt’s large and highly engaged user base, increasing the likelihood of generating interest and feedback.
10. Facebook
Facebook is a social media platform with over 2 billion monthly active users, and this makes it an ideal platform for small businesses to reach potential customers online.
You can use Facebook to create a business page, build brand awareness, and engage with your target audience.
Small businesses can also leverage Facebook’s groups feature to connect with potential customers and build relationships with their target audience.
By joining relevant facebook groups, sharing valuable content, and engaging with other users, you can establish your brand as thought leaders in the industry and generate leads, sales and website traffic all for free.
11. Quora
Quora is a question-and-answer platform where users ask and answer questions on a wide range of topics.
It is a platform with a vast user base, which makes it an excellent place for small businesses to promote their brand and generate website traffic.
You can leverage Quora by providing informative answers to questions relevant to your niche or industry.
By providing valuable and informative answers, you can establish your brand as professional in the field and drive traffic to your website.
One way to drive traffic to a website through Quora is to
- include a link to a relevant article, blog post, or landing page in the answer. By doing so, small businesses can attract potential customers to their website and increase their chances of generating leads or sales.
- Another way to use Quora to drive website traffic is by including a call-to-action (CTA) in the answer. For instance, a small business could provide a link to a free trial or a discount code, encouraging readers to visit their website and take action.
Furthermore, small businesses can increase their visibility on Quora by engaging with the community, following relevant topics, and providing quality answers consistently.
This will increase their exposure to potential customers, which can drive more traffic to their website.
12. Blogging
Blogging is a powerful marketing tool that small businesses can use to create valuable content for their audience, establish themselves as experts in their industry, and drive traffic to their website.
By creating high-quality blog posts, small businesses can attract potential customers to their business website and increase their chances of generating leads and sales.
One way blogging can drive traffic to a website is through search engine optimization (SEO).
By optimizing blog posts with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and tags, small businesses can improve their website’s visibility on search engines like Google.
As a result, more people are likely to find their website when searching for topics related to their niche or industry.
In addition, blogging can help small businesses build relationships with their audience by providing informative and valuable content that solves their problems or answers their questions.
13. Instagram
Instagram is a popular social media platform that can help small businesses to drive traffic to their website or business page. With over a billion active users, Instagram provides a huge audience for small businesses to tap into and connect with potential customers.
One way to drive traffic to a website or business page on Instagram is through strategic use of hashtags.
By using relevant and popular hashtags in your posts, small businesses can increase the visibility of their content and make it easier for users to find them.
This can lead to more engagement with their posts, which can in turn drive more traffic to their website or business page.
Small businesses can add a link to their website or business page in their bio, which makes it easy for users to access their website with a single click.
Additionally, businesses can include a call-to-action in their post captions, encouraging users to visit their website for more information or to make a purchase.
In addition, Instagram can be used to showcase a business’s products or services through high-quality images and videos.
14. Tiktok
With over 1 billion active users, Tiktok has quickly become a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes.
TikTok is all about creativity, and businesses that can tap into that and create unique and entertaining short video content are more likely to go viral.
By showcasing your products or services in a fun and engaging way, you can capture the attention of your target audience and encourage them to share your content with others.
Additionally, TikTok offers various advertising options for businesses, such as sponsored content and in-feed ads. These can be effective ways to reach a larger audience and drive more traffic to your website or business page.
15. Podcasting
Podcasting has become an increasingly popular medium for businesses to promote their brand and drive traffic to their website.
There are a number of podcast platforms available that can help small businesses reach a wider audience and build their customer base.
One of the most popular podcast platforms is iTunes, which is available on both desktop and mobile devices.
By creating a podcast and uploading it to iTunes, businesses can reach millions of potential listeners who are interested in their products or services.
Other popular podcast platforms include Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.
Each platform has its own unique features and benefits, and businesses should carefully consider which platform is the best fit for their brand and target audience.
By creating engaging and informative content that resonates with your target audience, you can establish a strong online presence and drive traffic to your website or business page.
16. Twitter
Twitter is a popular social media platform that can be an effective free advertising channel for small businesses.
With over 330 million active monthly users, it provides a wide audience for businesses to engage with and promote their products or services.
To use Twitter as an advertising channel, businesses can create a profile and start sharing content that is relevant to their industry, products, or services.
You can also use hashtags to make posts more discoverable to people who are interested in similar topics. Twitter allows businesses to engage with their audience through replies, retweets, and direct messages.
One effective way to drive traffic to a website or business page through Twitter is to include links in tweets.
This can be to specific products or services or to blog posts and other relevant content.
Additionally, Twitter has a feature called Twitter Ads, which allows businesses to create targeted ads to reach specific audiences and drive traffic to their website or landing page.
17. SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an essential part of digital marketing and can be a powerful tool to drive traffic to a small business’s website or business page.
SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords related to your business.
By improving your website’s SEO, you can increase its visibility in search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
This means that when potential customers search for keywords related to your business, your website is more likely to appear in the top search results.
This increased visibility can lead to more clicks and visits to your website, which can ultimately drive more sales and revenue for your business.
Another way to make your business is by adding your business to Google My Business (GMB).
18. Medium
Medium.com is another popular online platform where writers can publish their articles and reach a large audience.
It’s also a great free advertising channel for small businesses to showcase their products or services, build brand awareness, and drive traffic to their website or business page.
As a small business, you can use Medium.com to create informative and engaging content related to your niche or industry.
By publishing articles on Medium, you can attract potential customers who are interested in your products or services.
Make sure to optimize your content for search engines by using relevant keywords and adding internal and external links to your website.
In addition to publishing your own articles, you can also participate in Medium’s partner program, which allows you to earn money from your content.
This program is available to all writers on the medium platform, and it’s a great way to monetize your expertise and knowledge.
19. Behance
Behance.net is a great platform for creatives to showcase their work and gain exposure.
As a small business owner, it can also be a valuable free advertising channel to promote your brand and attract potential customers.
Behance allows you to create a professional profile for your business, showcasing your products, services, and previous work.
You can also join communities related to your niche and engage with other creatives, potential customers, and industry influencers.
One of the best things about Behance is that it has a wide audience reach, including other creatives, business owners, and potential clients.
By utilizing the platform, you can gain valuable exposure and connect with individuals who may be interested in your business.
To effectively use Behance as a free advertising channel for your small business, make sure to optimize your profile and keep it up-to-date with your latest work and offerings.
Utilize relevant keywords in your profile and project descriptions to increase visibility and attract potential customers.
Additionally, engage with other members of the Behance community by leaving thoughtful comments on their work and participating in discussions.
This can help to build relationships and establish your business as a thought leader in your industry.
20. Messaging Apps
(Telegram, Fb messenger etc) – converting friends/fans to customers on messengers and using telegram software for extracting group members.
Messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat, can be powerful tools for small businesses to reach and engage with their customers.
These apps allow businesses to communicate with customers in a more personal and direct way, building relationships and increasing brand awareness.
To use messaging apps for your business promotion, you can start by creating a business account on the app and inviting customers to join.
From there, businesses can send promotional messages, offer discounts or coupons, and even provide customer support through the messaging app.
Messaging apps can also be used for targeted advertising, allowing businesses to reach specific groups of customers based on their demographics, interests, and behaviors.
This can be especially effective for small businesses with limited advertising budgets.
21. Influencer marketing
Oh, this one might not be entirely free as the title says but I still got to mention it regardless (my apologies).
This strategy involves partnering with social media influencers who have a large following in your target audience.
The idea is to have these influencers promote your product or service to their followers, which can result in increased visibility and traffic to your website.
Influencers can promote your business through sponsored posts, product reviews, or even by becoming a brand ambassador.
Influencer marketing can be very effective because it allows businesses to reach a highly engaged audience that is already interested in the type of products or services they offer.
By partnering with the right influencer, you can tap into their audience and gain new customers for your business.
To get started with influencer marketing, you’ll need to identify influencers who have a following that matches your target audience.
You can use social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter to find potential influencers, or use influencer marketing platforms like AspireIQ or Upfluence.
When reaching out to influencers, be clear about your goals and what you hope to achieve through the partnership.
Be sure to also discuss compensation and any guidelines or requirements you may have for the content they create.
22. Email marketing
Email marketing is a cost-effective way for small businesses to advertise their products or services and drive traffic to their website or business page.
It involves sending emails to a list of subscribers who have opted-in to receive your emails, this is where email marketing is different from Cold mailing.
To start an email marketing campaign, you’ll need to create an email list by collecting email addresses of potential customers through sign-ups, purchases, or other means.
You can then create a targeted email that offers value to your subscribers, such as promotions, discounts, or informative content.
One of the benefits of email marketing is that you can track and analyze the success of your campaign, including open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
This information can help you to improve your future campaigns and tailor your content to your audience’s preferences.
There are many email marketing tools available, such as Aweber, Amazon ses, and Getresponse, that offer customizable templates, automated campaigns, and analytics to help you optimize your email marketing efforts.
However, it’s important to be mindful of spam laws and regulations, such as the CAN-SPAM Act in the US, to ensure that your emails are legal and ethical.
Make sure to provide a clear and easy way for subscribers to opt-out of your emails, and avoid using spammy language or tactics.
23. Online directories
Online directories are websites that contain a list of businesses in specific industries or locations.
These directories can be used as a free advertising channel for small businesses to increase their online visibility and drive traffic to their website or business page.
By listing your business in online directories such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, Google My Business, or Bing Places, you can provide potential customers with essential information such as your business name, address, phone number, website URL, and operating hours.
This information can help your business to show up in search engine results pages (SERPs) when people search for products or services related to your business.
Also, many online directories allow customers to leave reviews and ratings of your business. Positive reviews and ratings can help to build trust with potential customers and increase your business’s online reputation.
Furthermore, listing your business in online directories can help to improve your business’s search engine optimization (SEO) by providing backlinks to your website.
These Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website and are considered an important factor in search engine rankings.
Summary:
In summary, these are a variety of free advertising channels available for small businesses that can help drive traffic to their website or business page for free.
By utilizing these effective channels, you can increase your visibility and attract new customers without breaking the bank.
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