Marketing a small Business requires the business owner to think outside the box. If you’re a new business owner, you know how true this is: You need to advertise your new business on a shoestring budget. However, this can be done and done effectively. If you’re looking for some marketing ideas and guidance, these four tips will get you started. They’re practical and easy to apply. Best of all, they’ll get your marketing efforts off on the right foot.

1. Get Leverage

By yourself, you can do very little. However, if you tap into your community’s strength, you have leverage. According to Constant Contact, small business owners leverage community resources by producing things like bookmarks for the local library with their business names on them. They can also sponsor events like charity games or a Little League team.

You’ll get even more leverage if you piggyback on a big event that’s already happening. For example, if there’s an annual Christmas bazaar, get a booth at the bazaar. The traffic for the event will be paid for by the organizers, making your advertising costs go down. Spend your money instead on business cards, brochures, and other takeaway advertising materials.

2. Choose the Right Mentors

If you’ve chosen a business model like real estate or flipping houses, it’s in your best interest to get mentors. These business professionals have already worked through all the pitfalls associated with the business and can guide you along the way.

If personal mentoring isn’t an option, then you can try a program like Success Path Education. You’ll still get a step-by-step plan for running your business, including some warnings about things to watch out for. No matter what kind of small business you run, this type of mentoring can be invaluable, especially when it comes to learning how to market a small business on a shoestring.

3. Coupons and Other Discounts

Most consumers like to get items for free or on the cheap. Buying an ad in the local newspaper that includes a coupon is an excellent and inexpensive way to bring more customers into your door. For example, maybe you run a day spa. Offer a coupon for a two-for-one for mothers and daughters or give away pedicures at half price.

Offering coupons and other discounts not only helps people get over their reluctance to try new products, it also brings them through your door. This is a great way to meet people and establish a rapport with them so that they keep coming back.

4. The Fine Art of Collaborating

Is there a business that offers a product or service that’s compatible with yours? Practically any business can find a compatible, non-competing partner for advertising purposes. Basically, when you find another business owner to collaborate with, you share costs for newspaper and TV ads, flyers, coupons, and other advertising items.

You also refer customers to one another via links on your website or referrals. It helps most business owners save a small fortune. Some good collaborations are pet food stores with veterinary clinics, auto body shops with lube shops, or coffee shops and bakeries.

Small business owners, especially when they’re first starting out, have a limited budget. They often need to be clever when it comes to marketing and advertising. If you’ve just opened a new business, you’ll want to keep your advertising costs to a minimum. These four ideas will get your marketing plans started. The good news is that if your business takes off, you’ll know what you need to do to advertise effectively and cheaply.

Author Bio:

Anica is a professional content and copywriter from San Francisco, California. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here. Anica is a writer for Success Path, and you can check out Success Path reviews to see some great examples of the power of digital marketing.