Marketing on a Budget – Low-Cost Strategies to Attract Clients

Starting a business from scratch with little to no money? Yeah, I know that grind. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon or handed a business on a silver platter. When I launched my first company, all I had was what was in my savings account while still juggling a full-time job. But one thing I knew? Marketing. I knew how to leverage it, and I want to help you do the same – without breaking the bank.

There are so many ways to market your business before you even think about hiring an agency. In fact, I teach my clients how to create social media content, write blogs, use SEO, and more because every business owner needs to know the basics. Do you have to do it forever? Absolutely not. I sure don’t. But in the beginning, you have to bootstrap, cut corners, and put every dollar back into your business so it can grow.

So, let’s get into it. How can you market your business on a budget?

1. Take Advantage of Low-Hanging Fruit

If your business isn’t on Google My Business (now called Google Maps), stop what you’re doing and go set it up. Google is the largest search engine in the world, and if you’re not on there, how will people find you?

Make sure you:

Add your logo, banner, and business hours
Fill out the “About” section with who you serve
List your website, phone number, and location
Use the post feature to add updates, promotions, or client reviews

Yelp is another platform that can work, especially for service-based businesses like home services, beauty, and healthcare. Once you’re set up, you can even run Google Ads when you’re ready to invest a little for more visibility.

2. Leverage Social Media

Pick a platform where your ideal customers are. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or even TikTok (depending on how things shake out), be present and consistent. If you don’t know how to design posts, sign up for a free Canva account. They have ready-made templates that you can customize with your logo and branding in minutes.

Post consistently
Engage with comments and DMs
Create shareable content to boost visibility
Collaborate with others or do shoutouts to expand your reach
Feature new clients and encourage them to reshare your post

3. DIY Branding & Graphics

Your first logo doesn’t have to be your last. Trust me, I’ve been through multiple logo versions for my businesses. Your brand will evolve. Just make sure your visuals look professional and tell the right story about your business.

Your branding should reflect your business identity. If you’re a logistics company, share why you started and who you help. If you’re in beauty, talk about the transformation your service provides. People connect with stories, so make sure your brand tells one.

4. Word of Mouth & Referral Marketing

You have to ASK for referrals. People won’t just do it unless you nudge them. The easiest marketing comes from past clients who were happy with your services.

Ask customers for reviews (Google reviews are GOLD)
Share testimonials on your website and social media
Offer referral incentives (discounts, cash, or a freebie)
Set up an affiliate program if you have a product or service that allows for it
If possible, get video testimonials (video content builds even more trust!)

5. Get Involved in Local Networking

Networking is free and can open doors to business opportunities. Check out your local Chamber of Commerce or industry-specific associations.

Attend networking events, ribbon-cuttings, and mixers
Exchange business cards (yes, people still use them!)
Be present at business meetups and offer value
If someone refers you, follow up and nurture that connection

6. Offer Free Workshops or Webinars

One of the best ways to attract potential clients is to teach. If you’re an artist, offer a free mini-class on a painting technique. If you’re in logistics, teach a short session on optimizing delivery routes. Free workshops position you as an expert and naturally convert attendees into paying customers.

7. Master SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO is how you get found online. People pay thousands for SEO services, but you can do a lot of the basics yourself:

Optimize your website pages and blog posts
Use keywords that people search for
Update your meta descriptions and URLs
Optimize images so they show up in Google searches

I personally got my business and my clients’ businesses to rank on the first page of Google just by learning SEO strategies. And guess what? You can, too.

Wrapping Up

Marketing on a budget is possible. You just have to be strategic. We covered:

Google My Business and local listings
Leveraging social media
DIY branding and graphics
Word of mouth and referrals
Local networking
Free workshops/webinars
SEO basics

If you apply these strategies consistently, you’ll start gaining traction without breaking the bank. And if you’re ready for a deeper dive, I’ve put together a 97-page Marketing Playbook that walks you through everything step by step. Right now, it’s just $19 (regularly $97), but this offer won’t last forever—grab your copy while you can!

If you found this helpful, share it with another entrepreneur who needs it. Let’s grow together!

To your success, Coach Roslyn