15+ Inexpensive Ways to Advertise Your Business

April 28, 2025

You know the old adage, “It takes money to make money”? While that may be true, marketing and advertising don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, some of the most effective ways to get your business noticed are either free or surprisingly affordable (especially with the technology available). Whether you’re just getting started or trying to grow on a tight budget, here are 15 creative and cost-effective ideas to boost your visibility and draw in customers.


15 (plus one bonus) Cost-effective Ways to Get Your Business Noticed


1. Partner with Your Chamber of Commerce

Your local Chamber is a marketing gem hiding in plain sight. Many chambers offer affordable sponsorships, advertising in their newsletters, banner placement on their website, and opportunities to speak at or host events. Chamber membership also often includes social media shoutouts, ribbon cuttings, and business directory listings—all built-in exposure for your brand.


Chambers have excellent reputations in their communities as well as good relationships. Many tourists and new residents rely on referrals from the chamber when they come to town. Plus, the rates chamber’s charge for this type of high-quality exposure is very reasonable.


Chamber Members! Be sure to check out

-  Our Facebook Group, Chamber Connect.

- You can also view your advertising ROI from your online listing from August 2024 onward.

- Have an upcoming event? Submit it to our newsletter/online calendar (Office@LLChamber.com)

- Interested in hosting a Chamber Coffee for 2026? Contact us to see what dates are available: Office@LLChamber.com

- Support our Government Affairs Committee or Operations International. Contact us for more information!

- Interested in event sponsorships? Let us know! We can put you on a priority list for first information- Please note that our sponsorships are all ‘First Come, First Served’ basis.


2. Get Active on Social Media

You don’t need to be on every platform—just the ones where your customers spend their time. Create short videos, behind-the-scenes posts, tutorials, or even humorous content to show off your brand’s personality. Authenticity performs better than high-budget polish. Be consistent with your posting too. The more people see you, the more they notice and recognize you. Soon you will be on their mind.


Check out these past blogs for social media help and ideas:


-         5 Content Marketing Strategies for Small Business Owners

-         Feeling Stuck? Try these Content Ideas for Small Businesses

-         How to Be More Engaging

-         How to Get More Love for Your Business on Social Media


3. Run a Giveaway or Contest

People love free stuff. Give away a product or service in exchange for likes, shares, or email signups. It’s an inexpensive way to create buzz and grow your audience fast. Or run a contest when you host a pop-up or sponsor a table at an outdoor event (if it fits for your business). You’ll get to talk to a variety of people.

A fun contest that also gets you more visibility is encouraging people to check-in when they’re at your business. Then provide a quarterly prize to the person with the most check-ins.


House of Gaumond, a pop-up bakery, used this to great effect to get their following!


4. Create Google Business Profile Posts

Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business) are free and powerful. Use posts to highlight new products, offers, events, or blog content. Bonus: It helps with your SEO.


Get Started


5. Use Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Happy customers are your best marketers. Share their testimonials on social media, your website, and even printed materials. Ask loyal customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Many people will write them when asked and when you make it easy for them to do so. Use links to get them where they need to be.


Chamber Members: Your built-out business listing allows people to rate you, submit a review, or ‘Like’ particular services.


6. Get Involved in Community Events

Sponsor a little league team, host a booth at a local fair, or donate a prize to a nonprofit raffle. Community involvement builds trust and visibility with your target audience.


Have you seen the traffic from the Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope’s 2025 Night of Hope Gala?

Or Ten and Two Coffee- Lansing, is known for being a great place for community events!


7. Start a Referral Program

Reward your current customers for referring new ones. A simple discount, freebie, or exclusive perk can motivate people to spread the word about your business.


HOTWORX- Lansing is a great example of this!


8. Offer Free Workshops or Classes

If you’re an expert at something, share your knowledge. Hosting a free online or in-person workshop can position you as an authority while attracting new leads. Share hashtags at your event to remind people to share on social.


Have an expertise? Would you like to share it at a Chamber Event? Let us know! Also, we’ve utilized this ourselves with Property and Sales Tax Forums, as well as a Cybersecurity Forum.  SorWil Technology Solutions also utilizes this for their videos/podcasts.


9. Pitch Local Media

Send story ideas or press releases to your local newspaper, TV station, or community blog. Journalists are always looking for local angles—your business could be the next feature.


Support our local paper, the Leavenworth Times!


10. Use Window or Sidewalk Signs Creatively

A clever chalkboard sign or window display can stop foot traffic in its tracks. Make people smile, laugh, or think—and they’ll remember your business.


Other examples are Leavenworth Main Street’s Passageways project, or the Leavenworth County Historical Society’s Spirit of the Buffalo project!


11. Create a Loyalty or Punch Card Program

Encourage repeat business by rewarding customers who come back. Whether digital or old-school punch cards, loyalty programs keep your brand top-of-mind. It can also sway people to choose you more often. For instance, if they know they’ll get points from buying with you, they may go out of their way to do so knowing that they will benefit from it.


And we’ll help you share the news about your new program!


12. Offer a Limited-Time Promotion

Scarcity sells. Use urgency—“for 3 days only,” “first 10 people,” or “today only”—to create buzz and spike short-term interest.


Sis’s Sweets does a great job updating daily and letting people know what’s available and for how long.


13. Join (or Start) a Local Business Collaboration

Team up with complementary businesses for cross-promotions. For example, a coffee shop and a bookstore might do a “Read & Recharge” special. You both win.


The Red Hibiscus Juice Co., is one example of a business that coordinates & collaborates with others in the Health & Wellness to promote awareness!


14. Start an Email Newsletter

Email is still one of the highest-ROI marketing tools. A simple monthly email with updates, deals, or helpful tips can keep customers engaged and coming back.


Be sure to check out Constant Contact – it’s what the Chamber uses!

Also, be sure to check out these articles for tips on newsletters:

-         Build a Fanatical Following with Email

-         10 Unique Ways to Get More Email Subscribers

-         The 5 Most Common Mistakes Email Marketers Make


15. Use Your Vehicle as a Moving Billboard

A magnetic car sign or vinyl decal can turn your commute into an advertising campaign. It's a one-time investment that works 24/7.


The Chamber got ours from Advantage Printing. Support Local!




Bonus: Watch your favorite brands. What makes you stop what you’re doing or stops you from scrolling. Even if they’re in a completely different industry, ask yourself how you might use what they do to improve your marketing.


You don’t need a big budget to make a big impact. With some creativity and a willingness to show up where your audience is, you can get your business noticed without breaking the bank. And this isn’t a “choose one and you’re done” idea. These ideas are designed to get you thinking about what your audience will respond to. Then give it to them consistently so they get used to seeing you around.


And remember—your Chamber of Commerce is here to help. Reach out and ask about marketing opportunities available to members. You might be surprised by how many resources are already at your fingertips.


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While we can’t list them all, here are a few more Chamber Members with a fantastic social media presence – Give them a follow!

 

Alliance Nationwide Title Agency – Check out their past events. They have both fun and informational events that helps get people in the door of their offices, and they also celebrate with the community.

 

Artistic Works by Lu- a mix of short-form videos, a weekly live stream, and regular posts about what’s new in store. They have a loyal following ready to see what’s New with Lu.

 

Communication Concepts, Inc. – Their content is more professional, informational, and helpful! But it all leads back to what they do, creating a good sense of brand.

 

The Small Hinge – Really lets her personality shine! Always showing off finished products and upcoming workshops. It’s easy to feel excited when her posts cross your feed.


PS: Have a great social media strategy that we missed? Let us know in the comments!


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Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle, rediscovering the magic within.

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Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

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Leverage Collective Buying Power Your chamber membership often includes access to group rates on essential services. Health insurance, payment processing, shipping discounts, office supplies, and advertising opportunities frequently come with member pricing that can save thousands annually. Many business owners never explore these benefits because they assume switching providers is complicated. Start with one area—perhaps credit card processing fees or shipping costs—and request a comparison quote through your chamber's endorsed programs. The savings often pay for your membership several times over. - Medical Plan available to Chamber Members through Aetna Strategic Visibility Without the Small Talk Hate networking events but still need visibility? Most chambers offer alternative exposure opportunities: member spotlights in newsletters, social media features, directory listings with SEO benefits, an article in their destination guide, and quote opportunities for press releases. Volunteer for a committee that meets during business hours rather than evening mixers. You'll build deeper relationships with fewer people while contributing your expertise. Economic development, public policy, events, or education committees often need people and meet in formats more comfortable than cocktail parties. - Your membership comes with an online listing that has a customizable landing page, complete with ability to rate and review. However, if your current membership level does not include this, feel free to contact us to discuss an upgrade: Office@llchamber.com - Interested in volunteering? Let us know: Office@llchamber.com . We’re always looking for people willing to lend a hand! - We’d love to hear your praise for the Chamber—send us a short quote!. Interested? You know the email: Office@llchamber.com . - Join our 2026 Leadership class and spend time with a select group of up and coming community leaders. Currently accepting applications through December 1. Make Your Voice Count Chambers actively advocate on behalf of businesses with local and state government. Your membership gives you a direct channel to influence policies affecting your bottom line from zoning regulations to tax policies. Most chambers solicit member input on advocacy priorities but rarely hear from the majority of their membership. When your chamber sends advocacy surveys or requests feedback, take ten minutes to respond. Your specific challenges and stories give chamber leaders concrete examples when they're meeting with elected officials. -Check out our Government Affairs Committee or join them, second Thursdays monthly, 9-10AM, at the Chamber. Playlists of past events also available on YouTube ! - Check out our Military Affairs Council- they meet monthly, first Tuesdays at noon, at the conference room in Fairfield Inn & Suites. They also have quarterly MAC socials. Sign up for our December 10 th social (free!) or contact us to discuss hosting one: Office@llchamber.com. Your chamber membership is a toolkit, not a ticket to parties. Identify two or three benefits aligned with your current business needs and commit to using them this quarter. The return on investment is there. You just need to claim it. - We are also collecting survey answers to better serve our community- please let us know! It’s short (we promise!) and will enter you for a chance to win a “LeavenworthIt” Swag bag. Read More: - 10 Ways to Get the Most from your Chamber Membership - How to Build Business Connections (Even if You Hate Networking) - Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities and Drive Growth - Your Chamber Listing Matters More Than Ever! ----------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and is currently reading three books at once. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

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