LET'S CHAT
LET'S CHAT

Whether you just launched your business, or already have a business that you’re trying to grow, this page is for you. We will cover all the different ways to market your business, from free to paid options. Let’s get started:

1. Word of Mouth: Tell Everyone You Know About Your Business (Free!)

It goes without saying, that you should start with telling the people you already know—friends, family, colleagues. Let them know what you’re offering and ask if they can spread the word. Here’s how:

  • Email All Contacts: Send an email to everyone you know. Gmail and Outlook both have a “Contacts” section which contains all the people you ever contacted.
  • Social Media Posts: Share updates on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. It’s free and great for getting your initial customers.
  • Word of Mouth: Just talking to people about what you do can lead to referrals. Call your closest friends and family and let them know. Drop business cards at events. They will tell their friends and family as well which will help your business get recognized exponentially faster.

Cost: $0 unless you decide to also print business cards (under $1 per card) or boost posts on social media ($5–$20).

2. Create a Website (Low to Moderate Cost)

A simple and well-designed website (5 to 10 pages) gives you credibility right away. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just explain what you offer, why should people trust you, and how people can contact you to learn more.

  • Use platforms like Wix or Squarespace (easy and beginner-friendly, $15–$30/month) or hire a web design company like ours.
  • If you’re on a budget, start with a free site using WordPress.com.

Cost: $0–$200 upfront (domain and hosting). Around $2,000 for a basic website if you want to hire professionals in Canada.

3. Leverage SEO or Google Ads (Moderate to High Cost)

Most Canadians use Google when it’s time to look for a service provider or product, which is why you want to show up on top of page 1 in your city when people search for YOUR products. Google Ads and SEO are the best forms of marketing, if you have a monthly budget you can allocate to this.

  • Google Ads: Usually a MINIMUM monthly budget of $1,000 is required to get traction. If you want to hire a professional agency, they will also ask for a management fee to launch and manage your PPC campaigns. We at Little Dragon charge $599/month for our basic Google Ads services.
  • SEO: Canadian agencies charge anywhere from a few hundreds to a few thousands per month to help you rank organically, depending on how competitive your market is. We at Little Dragon have all-inclusive SEO packages starting at $599/month.

Cost: $500/month+ (depending on competition level).

4. Join Local Groups and Events (Free to Low Cost)

Get involved with your local community—both online and offline.

  • Facebook Groups or Nextdoor: Join groups related to your niche and share helpful tips (don’t spam).
  • Attend networking events or community meetups.

Cost: Free or $10–$50 for events.

3. Leverage Social Media Ads (Moderate Cost)

Running ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok can help you reach more people quickly.

  • Facebook/Instagram Ads: Start small with $5–$10/day to test what works.
  • Target your audience by age, interests, and location.

Cost: $50–$300/month (depending on your budget).

5. Offer a Free Sample or Discount (Low Cost)

People love trying before they buy! Offer something free or discounted to attract new clients.

  • If you’re a service provider, offer a free consultation.
  • For products, give away free samples or “buy one, get one” offers.

Cost: Low, based on what you offer.

6. List Your Business on Online Platforms (Free to Moderate Cost)

  • Google My Business (free): Helps people find you on Google.
  • Yelp (free): Great for local businesses like restaurants, salons, or home services.
  • Upwork/Fiverr: If you’re a freelancer, these platforms connect you with clients.

Cost: Free to start; premium listings can cost $20–$50/month.

7. Email Marketing (Low Cost)

Build a list of potential clients and keep them updated with offers or news.

  • Use tools like Mailchimp (free for up to 500 contacts).
  • Offer a freebie, like a guide or discount, to encourage signups.

Cost: Free to $10/month for beginner plans.

8. Collaborate with Others (Free to Low Cost)

Partner with complementary businesses to cross-promote each other.

  • Example: A wedding photographer and a florist can refer clients to one another.

Cost: Usually free, but may involve sharing a percentage of sales.

9. Run a Giveaway (Low to Moderate Cost)

Everyone loves free stuff! Run a social media giveaway to attract attention.

  • Partner with other businesses to share the costs.
  • Example: “Follow us and tag 3 friends to win [prize].”

Cost: $20–$100+ (depending on the prize).

10. Ask for Reviews and Referrals (Free)

Happy customers are your best marketers. Ask them to:

  • Leave a review on Google or Yelp.
  • Refer you to their friends in exchange for a small discount or gift.

Cost: Free or a small token (like $10 off their next purchase).

11. Post Helpful Content Online (Free to Low Cost)

Position yourself as an expert by sharing tips or tutorials.

  • Start a blog (free with WordPress).
  • Make short videos for TikTok or YouTube.

Cost: Free to $20/month (if hosting a blog).

12. Try Cold Outreach (Free)

Send emails or messages to potential clients or businesses you’d like to work with.

  • Personalize each message—don’t spam!
  • Tools like Hunter.io can help find email addresses.

Cost: Free or $30/month (if using email-finding tools).

13. Use Print Marketing (Moderate Cost)

  • Flyers/Posters: Put them up in coffee shops or community boards.
  • Business Cards: Hand them out at events.

Cost: $20–$100 for printing.

14. Host a Workshop or Webinar (Low to Moderate Cost)

Showcase your expertise by teaching something related to your business.

  • Example: A fitness coach could host a free Zoom workout.
  • Tools: Use Zoom or YouTube Live (free or low-cost).

Cost: Free to $20/month (Zoom Pro).

15. Hire a Freelancer for Help (Moderate Cost)

If you feel overwhelmed, hire help for specific tasks like social media or design.

  • Platforms like Fiverr or Upwork make it easy to find affordable help.

Cost: $50–$500 depending on the project.

Final Advice:

  • Start small: Pick 2–3 strategies to test first.
  • Track what works: Use tools like Google Analytics to see where your clients are coming from.
  • Be consistent: Marketing takes time, so don’t give up if results aren’t immediate.

You’ve got this! Marketing is a process, and every effort brings you one step closer to landing your next client. 😊