Marketing your business doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of dollars on ads, professional branding, or expensive campaigns.

You often have more time than money when you’re just starting out. That means getting creative with how you promote yourself.

If you’re looking for practical, low-cost marketing tips for small business, this guide will walk you through networking, online visibility, and referral strategies that actually work—without draining your budget.

1. Networking: Get in Front of the Right People

One of the most effective marketing tips for small businesses is simply showing up where your potential clients are.

Whether online or in person, networking builds relationships and keeps you top of mind when people need your services.

Where to Find Networking Events

Not all networking events require a membership fee. Some great options include:

• Free local meetups – Check Facebook Groups or Eventbrite for community business events.
• Industry-specific networking – Groups like 1 Million Cups or SCORE host free meetups for small business owners.
• Virtual events – LinkedIn and Facebook often promote free business networking events.
• Happy Hours & Social Mixers – Look for business community events at restaurants or coffee shops.

How to Make the Most of Networking Events

• Bring business cards and have a LinkedIn QR code ready to connect instantly.
• Be approachable, not salesy—focus on getting to know people rather than pushing your services.
• Follow up with the people you meet—send a quick email or LinkedIn message to keep the connection going.

Networking isn’t about making a sale on the spot—it’s about building relationships that can lead to referrals and business down the road.

2. Build a Strong Online Presence (for Free!)

Having a solid online presence makes it easier for people to find and trust you. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get started.

Set Up a Google My Business Profile

A Google My Business (GMB) profile helps you appear in local searches when people look for your services. It’s free to set up, and you can:

• Add your business details, services, and hours
• Encourage happy clients to leave reviews
• Appear on Google Maps when people search for local businesses

Claim Your Listings on Free Directories

Many business directories don’t cost anything and can improve your visibility. Some great options include:

• QuickBooks ProAdvisor Directory (if applicable)
• Yelp and Thumbtack
• Local Chamber of Commerce listings
• Industry-specific directories

Have a Simple Website

Even a basic one-page website gives your business credibility. If you’re not ready to invest in a full site, consider:

• A free website builder like Wix, Weebly, or Carrd.
• Using your LinkedIn page as a landing page for now.
• Make sure your contact details are easy to find.

You don’t need a fancy website—you just need a place where potential clients can learn about you.

3. Use Online Groups for Free Promotion

Online Groups can be an unexpected goldmine for marketing your business. The key is to join groups where your potential clients are active.

This can include Facebook groups, subreddits, or even old-school forums.

How to Market in Online Groups Without Being Spammy

• Join local and industry-specific groups (e.g., construction business groups if you specialize in bookkeeping for contractors).
• Look for “business promotion days”—many groups allow self-promotion on certain days.
• Answer questions to showcase your expertise (e.g., if someone asks for QuickBooks advice, jump in and help).

The more helpful and visible you are, the more likely people are to trust and hire you.

4. Master the Art of Referrals

Referrals are one of the most powerful marketing tools for small business owners. But how do you get more people to refer you?

Build Relationships Before Asking for Referrals

Instead of cold-messaging people and asking for referrals, focus on getting to know them first. A few ways to do this:

• Join networking groups without immediately pushing your services.
• Look for collaboration opportunities—not just one-way referrals.
• Engage with others’ content on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Be Clear About Who You Serve

If you want referrals, people need to know exactly who your ideal client is. Instead of saying:

🚫 “I do bookkeeping for small businesses.”

Try:

✅ “I help service-based businesses using QuickBooks get their books organized and ready for tax time.”

The more specific you are, the easier it is for people to send the right clients your way.

Give More Referrals Than You Receive

If you meet someone who needs a web designer and you know a great one, send them a referral. The more you help others, the more they’ll think of you when they meet someone who needs your services.

5. Low-Cost Ways to Boost Your Visibility

Take a SCORE Workshop

SCORE is a low-cost resource for small business owners, offering workshops on everything from marketing to SEO. One business owner increased their Google search rankings immediately after implementing what they learned in a SCORE class.

Use LinkedIn for Authority Building

LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers.

It’s a great place to connect with potential clients. Here are a few easy ways to get noticed:

• Post helpful insights (e.g., “3 common bookkeeping mistakes small business owners make”).
• Comment on others’ posts to stay visible in your network.
• Make sure your LinkedIn profile clearly explains what you do.

Get Comfortable Talking About What You Do

When someone asks, “What do you do?”, be ready with a clear, engaging answer.

Instead of saying:

🚫 “I’m a bookkeeper.”

Try:

✅ “I help small business owners get their books in order so they can focus on growing their business.”

This small change can make a huge difference in how people respond to you.

Final Thoughts: Marketing Tips for Small Business That Actually Work

You don’t need a huge budget to market your business—you just need to be intentional and consistent.

Key Takeaways:

• Networking is powerful—show up where your ideal clients are and focus on building relationships.
• Optimize your online presence—claim your Google My Business listing and make sure people can find you.
• Leverage free marketing tools—Facebook Groups, Reddit, LinkedIn, and local business directories can boost your visibility for free.
• Referrals matter—give more than you ask for and be clear about who you serve.
• Keep marketing simple—avoid overcomplicating things and focus on being helpful, visible, and consistent.

What’s working for you when it comes to marketing your small business? Let’s chat in Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad Facebook group!