What is the best low-cost marketing strategy that can be used for small businesses?

Answer 1

I'd say it depends on how technically savvy you are. There is a tool called HootSuite that allows you to broadcast your messages across 5 social platforms for free. This is important because you want to own your brand on multiple sites even though you may not be a fan of them. For example, Facebook fits my needs far better than Twitter as Twitter is really more popular with people who are following celebrities. Having said that, there are still many businesses that use Twitter very successfully and I would want to own my business name on Twitter before someone else comes along and takes that name on their network before I do. 

One of the most significant features of this tool is that it also allows you to monitor your social media presence using analytics and reporting. The user interface is fairly easy to navigate if you are internet savvy, it may present a challenge if you are not. Either way, this is the best low cost option because of it's usability. 

I would recommend HootSuite's Pro package which is only $5.99 per month. It includes the following: 

 

• Social Profiles
• Social Analytics
• RSS Feeds
• Team Members
• Included Reports*
• Google Analytics
• Facebook Insights
• Influence Scores
• URL Parameters
• Ad Free

Answer 2

In general, word of mouth is the cheapest and most effective advertising for small businesses.  There's no single best way to get word of mouth, but in general it really helps to ask your happy customers to spread the word.  If you can provide very simple / quick actions they can take to do so, you'll get a much higher compliance rate.

For example, you could set up a computer at your store and ask regular customers to recommend & review your business on Stik.com.  All recommendations and reviews are automatically shared on Facebook, and in general ~15 people see each one.

Answer 3

I am a small business owner. I use only free things. I use Facebook pages, and I have written blogs all free--Blogspot and Wordpress and Typepad.