We’re all looking for ways to make the most of what we have these days: weighing the long-term value of our investments and their return with up-front costs, whether we’re buying toilet paper in bulk or strategizing your next ad campaign. When trying to figure out where to put your budget (and efforts) when it comes to marketing your business, we say that small budgets and big impact can go hand in hand. There’s a lot you can do with little or no cost in time, money and effort:

1) Social Media: this is probably the most obvious on our list. Where else can you reach 1 in 13 people earth than in cyberspace?. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, are all free and easy to set up, and a very convenient way to boost a current campaign, deliver the freshest content to your audience fast, and even generate momentum for your brand.
2) Email Blasts: with services like Constant Contact, your outbox suddenly just got much more powerful.
3) Handwritten Sentiments: why not go retro and send a personal note on actual paper with real ink? Just the fact that you were willing to spend 44 cents on a stamp is sure to go a long way to show that you care, not to mention you’re supporting an American business.
4) Sponsor an event: people like to support companies that do good things. It can be as simple as writing a check or supplying in-kind donations in exchange for your logo on the event website, Facebook page, etc. expanding your reach and potential client base.
5) Speak at a local club, organization or place of worship: let it be known that you are available to speak about your area of expertise as many places mentioned are constantly looking for new topics to share with their audiences, which means more face time with potential future clients.
6) Optimize your website: search engines are always trolling for the most relevant content, so be sure your keywords are working for you.

The key to all of the above is to know your story, be aware of what’s going on around you and have an idea about where you want to go. Before you know it, you’ll be on a roll—and we’re hoping it’s the really cushy two-ply kind.