As a business owner, you feel the need to expose your business getting a bigger client base or more people to see your business. Most times we want our business to have more exposure. The internet is one of the biggest platforms to advertise your business but it may seem to be expensive and requires a lot of bla…bla…bla…! Well, if you are interested in knowing where to advertise your business for free in Nigeria? This one is for you!
Having done my research, I have about 14 platforms on the internet that can help you to advertise your business for free in Nigeria;
- Google My Business
- SEO
- YouTube
- Quora
- Guest Blogging
- Public Speaking
- Fiverr
- Email Marketing
Having listed them, follow me as I throw more insight on them…
1. Google My Business
Google My Business offers free local advertising. Google My Business is an actual listing that appears in Google search results and in Google Maps.
Your location, phone number, website, hours, and directions are listed. Savvy businesses add additional content.
Google says: “Businesses that add photos to their Business Profiles receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps, and 35% more clicks through to their websites ….” Complete your profile to get started.
2. SEO
Aside from listings, the regular results in engines like Google are a source of potential buyers. Called “organic results”, don’t confuse them with search ads. There is no fee for organic search results. But you should optimize your website pages to be found prominently in searches.
This practice is called search engine optimization (SEO).
SEO requires skill, but by learning it you can increase your website traffic and lead flow. Tip: if you have a WordPress site, install the Yoast SEO plugin for guidance on how to optimize.
3. Facebook
Facebook offers a way to promote your business with a Facebook page. Make frequent updates to your Page.
You can also use your Facebook cover image to promote something special. Explore with Facebook Call to Action buttons, and join Facebook Groups related to your industry.
4. Pinterest
Pinterest offers a way for people to share images from your company website. It is great for brands with a strong visual element and for blog owners. Make sure you have one good shareable image on each key page of your website.
Tip: Set up boards by topic or category and “pin” your own content. People often search Pinterest for images on a particular topic and may find your website.
5. Instagram
Instagram is one of the most popular social media channels for brand awareness so you can advertise your business for free in Nigeria.
You can share photos and videos with your followers and everyone on the platform, and its ideal for a “visual” company: food, fashion, furniture.
Although, Instagram is not great for driving traffic to a website. Typically, you can only include one link in the profile field.
But we have seen businesses link to an index page on their website established just for the products they highlight on Instagram.
6. Twitter
Twitter is one of those social media platforms that are perfect for establishing someone as a thought leader.
It is especially good for consultants, freelance journalists, and subject matter experts.
7. WhatsApp
The art of buying and selling on the internet (E-Commerce) since its inception and success seem to be improving every day and can now be done on the text.
Since the improvement of WhatsApp to create WhatsApp status and WhatsApp business, a lot of individuals have been able to grow their businesses remotely.
The platform which was initially created to help a son communicate with his father cheaply has been continuously innovated or rather I say tweaked to satisfy both the conventional texting audience and the business-minded individuals.
E-commerce is everywhere now and even in text.
So this is one very interesting platform you can leverage to advertise your business for free in Nigeria.
8. YouTube
Almost all searches on YouTube start with “how to”. Create a sales funnel by setting up a YouTube channel. Then create how-to videos on topics related to your products and services.
Add your website or email address in each show description so interested parties can contact you.
Voila!!! YouTube when properly optimized can be a source for you to advertise your business for free in Nigeria.
9. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the best social media channels for a business that sells to other businesses. People and companies should both have profiles on LinkedIn for them and their brands to gain recognition.
Flesh out profiles with content to get better found in LinkedIn search results. Tip: If you are a freelance professional, try LinkedIn Profinder.
Set up a no-cost profile to get leads from companies looking to hire an independent contractor. Also, Slideshare, another LinkedIn property, can be used to share Powerpoints.
10. Quora
Quora is a question and answer forum. Simply find questions — and reply with answers in a way that informs and gives advice.
Every now and then, link to a blog post or articles on your site with more information thereby driving more traffic and gaining more exposure.
11. Guest Blogging
Publishing quality content on well-established blogs is a great way to widen your exposure to another blog’s audience. Some people do guest posts to get backlinks on sites with high domain authority.
But smart marketers focus more on sharing insight for marketing exposure. Nairaland and Pulse are good examples of sites with great exposure.
Choose a blog that attracts an audience of your potential customers. Locate the site’s contact information (name, email) and send a brief note asking if the blogger is interested in guest blog posts.
12. Public Speaking
Speaking engagements like Conferences, Podcasts, Webinars are a way for small business owners to draw attention to their companies — and build a personal brand. And as such can be a very creative way to advertise your business for free in Nigeria.
Don’t think “hard sell”. Instead, be a thought leader who shares insights and expertise.
Public speaking can include industrial conferences, virtual events, podcasts, or YouTube channels in same niche as yours. Compose a compelling title and topic, and send an email offering an executive for interviews or as a speaker.
You can even partner with another business to produce and cross-promote a webinar.
13. Fiverr
Got an advertising budget of zero? Fiverr is a popular place to sell professional services such as web site design and podcast editing. A business profile is free. You pay nothing out of pocket. You keep 80% of each sale; Fiverr gets the rest.
14. Email Marketing
Email newsletters and marketing emails are great free advertising for sales and promotions.
Think of an email newsletter as your own in-house advertising vehicle. The way to get started is to build an email list (i.e., people who subscribe through a signup form on your website).
Select good email marketing software to manage subscribers, design messages, and broadcast the emails.
Mailchimp is an excellent starter tool with a free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers which is plenty for most small businesses.
All these platforms that I have successfully pondered on when properly utilized will produce exquisite results saving you a ton of money which can be father invested in other areas of your business for more positive results.
Anyways, having found this article useful share it with your friends, families, and acquaintances to help them and their businesses reach a wider prospect.
Click this link to also read; How to Create a Business Name in Nigeria
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