Tips to grow your small business with no budget
Updated | By The Workzone with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp
Using social media and online tools for your benefit is always a good place to start...
Happy female entrepreneur smiling while holding a digital tablet/iStock/JLco - Julia Amaral
Starting a business requires courage; acknowledging where and how to proceed is only half the effort.
The other half contains things such as building a product that is in demand, advertising and marketing that product, and building your customer base.
These are not as easy as they may sound, as the shifts in the world of commerce and consumer behaviour can be a challenge, especially when you lack the funds to allocate to building your business.
This is why we wanted to share some nifty tips on how you can grow your small business without a budget.
1. Use social media
Engaging content has long been known as a key to attracting audiences. The great part of social media is that you can use it organically to grow your customer base without spending a lot of money.
Create appealing, relatable content and add value; use hashtags and participate in the latest trends. Join groups on social media to network with fellow business owners and customers.
2. Collaborate
Partnering with other businesses can be a great way to gain traction for your small business. It is better to find businesses that complement your business.
You can approach larger companies that you align well with and write blogs for their website. You can also approach micro-influencers, and they can help you get the word out about your business.
3. SEO - Search Engine Optimisation
Use keywords and tags on your website, have a clear, structured website and create engaging content for your website. These will all help you rank better on search engines.
Check how you can claim your business on Google; this way, customers or potential customers can locate your business easily and authenticate your services.
4. Networking
Find out more about free events for small business owners in your province. Sometimes, you have to register your business to attend. This will help you network with peers in the industry and share your business with others.
Host a workshop or class for people; this can help advertise your business and be viewed as a value-add for customers.
5. Use free online tools
There are many reliable and qualitative online tools that can help you with your business. For instance, there's Canva, a great graphics tool. Here, you can identify your brand theme and colours and create artwork for social media platforms and your website.
You can use MailChimp to send out email newsletters to your growing customer base.
Use Google Analytics to track the way your audience is using your website and how you can improve your site.
Tune in to the 'Workzone with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp', weekdays from 09:00 - 12:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
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- http://jacarandafm.com
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Image Courtesy of iStock
