In the competitive advertising world, it can be challenging for small business owners to make an impact without breaking the bank. Fortunately, there are many low-cost and free ways to promote your business that can help you increase your customer base and get your name out there.

Start with creating a profile of your target audience. You can do this by surveying your current customers or analyzing demographic information that you already have from email sign-ups and other sources. Once you know who your ideal customer is, you can allocate ad dollars to the platforms that will best reach them.

Social media is an excellent platform to get your business in front of potential customers. You can use boosted posts to make your content more visible to people in specific locations or with interests that match your product or service. This can be a cost-effective way to reach your audience, especially if you can use existing photos or videos that are relevant to your business.

Broadcast advertising is another option to consider. This can be costly, but if you can target local TV and radio stations that cater to your audience, the costs may not be as high as you might think. Plus, TV and radio ads are great for generating brand recognition, since you can create a catchy slogan or jingle that people will remember.

Print advertising is still a viable marketing strategy, although it’s important to keep in mind that many consumers are now digitally engaged. Using print to target your audience can be expensive, but it can be a great way to build brand awareness. Plus, it’s easier to track the results of your campaign, so you can adjust your messaging and budget accordingly.

Online advertising is also an effective way to increase your reach. For example, Google Adwords can be a very effective tool to target specific keywords that are relevant to your business. You can also run remarketing campaigns that display your ads to people who have previously visited your website or clicked on your Google search results.

One final thing to keep in mind is that if you offer a good value for your products or services, this can be an effective marketing strategy. This is particularly true during tough economic times, when consumers are looking for deals and discounts. In fact, Modern Retail reports that several e-commerce brands are changing their marketing messaging to emphasize affordability this year.