If you have recently established your own independent business, then you probably need to start getting your name out there and drawing in customers. You typically do this through marketing. Unfortunately, there's no denying the fact that marketing is expensive. Some entrepreneurs simply can't afford it - especially when they're first starting out. That's exactly why we have written this article today. We're going to be providing our readers with some brilliant, affordable ways to effectively advertise their small businesses. If you only have a small budget for marketing, this is the perfect article for you.

1.) Social Media

For starters, social media is a brilliant way for small businesses to advertise their products or services without spending a dime. It's completely free to create an account and start posting content for marketing your company. There are several different social media platforms, so let's look at the advantages of each one.

• Facebook

Facebook is a brilliant platform which can function as your base of operations. You can insert your business hours on your Facebook page, letting people know when you're open or closed. Its marketplace is also a great platform for selling your products. You can share all the content from your other social media pages on Facebook, too.

• Instagram

Instagram is perfect for businesses that are selling ‘visual' products, such as bespoke jewellery or patisserie cakes. You can post video content on Instagram, too. The social media platform also offers analytics for businesses, showing them how well they have managed to engage audiences.

• LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social media platform which allows professionals to network with one another. If you work in the service industry, this is very helpful for building connections. LinkedIn is also great for tracking down human capital, such as skilled computer technicians.

• Twitter

Twitter is also used by professionals who would like to network with one another. It's probably the best platform when it comes to business outreach, as you don't necessarily need people to follow you to appear on their news feed - so long as someone else has engaged with your post.

2.) Email Marketing

Email marketing is generally considered to be quite expensive and time-consuming. However, it is actually very easy and affordable if you manage to track down the cheapest email marketing software. As a small business, this kind of advertising software will be the perfect size and scale for you. But what exactly is email marketing? And how can it benefit your business? Well...

• Relationships with Customers

One of the best things about email marketing is that it allows you to build a stronger relationship with your customers. As every good entrepreneur knows, this is the key to creating a successful business. Loyal customers will bring income to your company for life.

• Establish Your Brand

Email marketing is also a brilliant way to establish your business's brand. For example, you can write a monthly e-newsletter which makes your company's voice, image, ethos and identity distinct. This helps you to stand out from the competition and stay in your customer's head for longer.

• Improve Your Credibility

Your company looks more professional and credible with an email marketing campaign. They allow you to stay in contact with customers and keep them updated with the latest business news which is relevant to them.

• Cost and Time-Effective

With cheap email marketing software, you can save yourself loads of time and money on advertising. You can connect with hundreds or thousands of customers at once, without spending a pound on printing and delivery. Once you have created your template and written the message, you're pretty much done.

• Refer a Friend

Email marketing campaigns are perfect for ‘refer-a-friend' schemes. These are where customers can receive special perks if they encourage a contact to register with your business, increasing your outreach.

• Share Your Content

If you have created content for your business, then your email marketing campaigns are one of the best ways to deliver this content. For example, have you written a guide on ‘seeking legal support after being wrongfully dismissed'? Then send this to the relevant clientele. You can help them with useful information and generate traffic for your business.

3.) Business Website

Finally, you should create a website for your business. This can be done cheaply, although purchasing a branded domain can sometimes be quite expensive. Regardless, you can easily get a return on investment with your website. Not only can you create a blog (which is ideal for sharing information and improving SEO) but also advertise your products/services on the different webpages, enticing customers to invest. Your website is where you keep all your contact details, too.

These are some affordable and effective ways to advertise your small business. They are tried and true methods that companies use all across the world.