Marketing Your Home-Based Business:
Creative Ways To Market Your Business On A Small Budget 

Spread the word in person. Whether you speak to an executive women's group or a trade association, you'll make contacts from a variety of businesses. 

Teach classes. Many companies count on community colleges to provide them with trainers for various in-house seminars. If you are an instructor, the community college could refer these requests to you.

Write articles. You don't have to be an accomplished author to publish an article. If you are a specialist in your field, or can see your business from a different angle, editors want to know about it. You could turn a speech into an article (or vice versa). If you are interested in a certain market segment, research the publications that serve that market. Save research time by asking your clients what publications they read. An article written by you is more meaningful and holds more credence than placing an advertisement. After the article is published, you can add it to the marketing materials you send to prospects.

Offer referral incentives. Some people will automatically refer you to others, while others need an incentive. When you meet someone who could refer business to you, offer to pay them a percentage of any sales you make as a result of their referral. You could even offer to barter services in exchange for the referral, provide a link to their site, or offer to include information about their company in future mailings. 

Donate your product or services to charities during auctions or fund-raising drives. You will be helping a worthy cause and gaining exposure for your business. 

Search the want ads for leads. The want ads are more than a list of jobs; they're are a list of opportunities for you. If a company needs a bookkeeper and you offer bookkeeping services, they could hire you on a subcontractor basis. Although you may charge more than a full-time employee, the company wouldn't have to pay insurance benefits and vacation time. 

Publish an online newsletter. E-zines are an inexpensive, yet effective way to remind your clients and prospects about your product or service. A brief e-zine may include short articles and a brief section about your business. Avoid making it an advertisement.