42 low-cost marketing ideas

Here are 42 quick, low-cost marketing ideas to get you started. Pick one, two, 10, or all of them. Your business will thank you.

1. Hang a banner in town.
2. Display a magnetic sign on your car.
3. Go to a networking event and collect 10 new business cards.
4. Subscribe to trade/industry magazines.
5. Visit the competition as a customer. See how you can do better.
6. Send birthday cards with vouchers to your best customers. Use normal post and E-mail.
7. Create a statement that describes the value your company brings to customers and hang it up in your store or send it to your customers.
8. Save marketing materials you like and use them as ideas for your own marketing materials.
9. Ask your staff for ideas to bring in new business.
10. Set aside time every day, week, or month to focus on marketing.
11. Write a marketing plan that includes your goals and how you plan to achieve them. Make a schedule to make it happen.
12. If you find any statistics or fun facts about your industry, save them and use them when you can.
13. Buy a notebook to write down all your marketing ideas.
14. Look at your advertising or marketing materials. Replace any negative words with positive choices.
15. Keep a customer log in your place of business or on your Web site and encourage customers to leave testimonials and suggestions.
16. Sell gift certificates.
17. Leave your cards or brochures in local shops, restaurants, hairdressers, and other places that allow it.
18. Contact the old boys/girls association of any school you attended and tell them about your business or any new company developments.
19. Handwrite your envelopes when posting something to customers.
20. Test a direct mail pamphlet or brochure with a small audience before producing large quantities.