Marketing On A Shoestring Budget

Marketing is expensive, right? It certainly can be but it doesn’t have to be that way. We often hear of small businesses who are frustrated— they feel their success limited by their small budget. What we’re always surprised to learn is that these same companies are often missing so many of the basic marketing strategies that cost little or nothing to implement.

We’re here to bust the myth that businesses on a shoestring budget can’t market their business well. Sure, it might take a little more time and a little more work on your part, but you can build a strong reputation for your water damage restoration business without dropping big bucks.

Here are six marketing methods that won’t kill your small marketing budget.

#1. Update Your Google My Business Page

Before you spend a cent on marketing your business, make sure you’ve covered this basic. The homeowners looking for your services are looking for local results and Google prioritizes local business who have done the work of keeping their Google My Business up-to-date.

Make sure each available field, including name, category, and location are completed and accurate. Upload a business photo and start responding to any an all reviews that come your way.

#2. Post Consistently on Your Blog

Neglecting your business blog means you’re missing a chance at marketing your business for free. At the very least, start posting on your business’s blog once a week. Don’t stop there! If you can find the time and the inspiration, shoot for three times a week. The businesses who make blogging a top priority experience four times the traffic of those who post infrequently or inconsistently.

#3. Become a Social Media Rockstar

You don’t need to be a marketing mastermind to carry out basic social media marketing tasks. Of course, one day you might decide you have the budget to take your social media accounts to the next level. For now, while money is tight, it’s free to cover the basics.

For starters, get a social media account set up on all major platforms — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Keep your usernames uniform across the board, making them your exact business name if possible. Add some company pictures and start posting! If it’s simpler, you can schedule all of your posts at one time using applications like Hootesuite.

#4. Attend or Host Local Networking Events

Chances are high there are plenty of opportunities to get to know the homeowners and professionals in your area. Make any local networking events a priority. If networking opportunities aren’t abundant in your city or town, create them! Hosting a meet-and-greet doesn’t have be extravagant. Open up your business for a weekday coffee chat or make a reservation for happy hour at the end of the week.

#5. Become an Expert in Your Industry

If you have enough know-how to start your own business in the water damage restoration industry, you have knowledge to share. Seek out chances to contribute in industry magazines. Host workshops on entrepreneurship in your area. Volunteer to be a guest on podcasts. There are endless opportunities to share your experience, help others, and market your business at the same time.

#7. Devote Yourself to Referral Marketing

The best leads come from referrals. These leads are typically people who know exactly what they need, they need it know, and they’ve heard that you are an expert in water damage restoration.

The best way to encourage more referrals is to start a referral marketing program. The key to keeping the expenses of this program low is payout incentives only after you’ve invoiced for a job. This means, you’re only spending on the leads you close.

At More Floods, we help small business owners in the water damage restoration industry make marketing simpler. If you’re looking for more low-budget ideas for boosting your exposure, click here or call 1-866-667-3356 to learn more about the More Floods network.