Four Top Ways to Take Advantage of Free Advertising

Side hustles are gaining traction like never before. With the uncertainty of the last 16 months, people are on the look-out for a second income. But whether you are looking to be your own boss, or simply earn a little extra money on the side, advertising your services is key to your success.

After all – if you don’t advertise your services, how will people know how to hire you?!

Paid advertising is certainly a great way to get your name out there, but there are plenty of free paths you can take to attract new potential clients.

Word of Mouth

The classic way of getting your name about – word of mouth. Put quite simply, offer a good service or product, great customer service, and if this is your main form of advertising – an amazing referral scheme.  

People are always more trusting when a testimonial comes from someone they know, like and trust, rather than a stranger, or reading it on a business card/ poster/ website.

Social Media

I can’t stress this enough – making the most of social media is absolutely vital if you want an online presence. Whether you are targeting potential clients on socials, or just want to show authority – a good profile online will always work in your favour.

It is also a great way to connect with future customers, show off any testimonials and create a loyal following. Remember, you never know who is watching you!  

Free Website

A website is also another great way to showcase your work, as well as showing authority. However, getting your chosen domain name and hosting for your site isn’t free – although you can find it cheap enough if you’re prepared to shop about.

If you’re not overly fussy on your domain name – ie, you want a website just to link to your socials, there are a number of free options. The domain won’t look great – but if people are just clicking a link rather than having to type it in, it can be a great fix short term. WordPress, Wix and Square are just a few that all have free choices.

Networking

Ever heard the saying: ‘It’s not what you know – it’s who you know’?

When it comes to business, this quote is on point. Networking is VITAL if you want to create a business that will be sustainable for the long term. You can benefit from your contacts in a number of ways; to keep costs down (such as knowing which people can create cheap business cards, websites, or even rent commercial space), or networking to expand your business. You may also have services that could greatly benefit someone else.

Personally, when it comes to business – or life in general! – if you are in a position you are able to help someone else out, always do so. It creates great karma, will help with your reputation, and also can really make a big difference to someone in their time of need. Plus, people are always more willing to help you out if they like you, rather than doing it as a sense of duty or as a favour.

Which techniques have you tried, and what worked best for you? Let us know by commenting below!