(ThyBlackMan.com) If you have a product to sell or a business to promote, then that is only half the job done. Because of course, if no one out there knows about what you do, then how are they going to but from you or learn more about your business? You have to get out there and tell people about your business. In recent years, marketing and advertising is something that has changed a lot, especially with the rise of social media, blogs, and influencers. In years past, businesses had to spend a large amount of money using their advertising budget, in order to get ads in magazines, billboards, or TV. And for a small business, that can be a lot of money when the outcome can be really hard to measure. As mentioned, because things have changed, from the internet to social media, and even technology, there are a lot of ways that smaller businesses are able to compete to share their business with those people who would be their ideal customer. Plus, things like social media are completely free.Â
So here are some of the tips that you can put into place to promote your business, in order to have success, but can still keep your costs down relatively low. Many small businesses can be more directly involved in marketing, and when this happens you as an owner are much more likely to find this useful and a good way to get ideas and information that can help your business to develop.Â
There are a different number of online and offline channels to market your business, from using the internet and a blog and social media, word of mouth, trade shows, and outdoor advertising like flags or banners outside of stores. The prices of these vary, as do their 
effectiveness, but it does all depend on your business, as well as the kind of customers that you are aiming your business at. So with all of that in mind, here are a few different ways that you can promote your product or the business that you have, whether you choose to do that offline, online, or a mixture of the two.
Brand and Logo
It is important to make sure that you are not fooled by how simple creating a brand and a logo might seem. It can be quite a straightforward thing to do, but having a brand and logo that is recognizable and can be widespread, is what your goal with it needs to be. Through your brand, you need customers to get an idea of what you do and what your business is like, as well as being able to show credibility for what you do, and hopefully, have customers and others be proud to be customers, with the goal that they would share a little about you with others.Â
The brand that you choose also needs to be ready from the start; changing once your business is established is something that will be quite hard to do. So use free online tools to help you, or look for a professional if you have it within your budget.Â
Create a website
Creating and setting up a website is something that is relatively simple to do. But you want to make sure that it is attractive, accessible, functional, and not forgetting mobile-friendly. This will help to make the business look more professional. And as so many people will search for things online, if they find your site, then they’ll be able to find all the information that they need. If you have a little knowledge in website design, then it can be something straightforward to do yourself. If not, there are website builders online, as well as asking a friend, so it doesn’t need to be costly. Then you can share your website link in stores, at trade fairs, on business cards, or when talking to people face to face.
Advertising
If you are interested in advertising more locally, or trying out some offline marketing techniques, then it is a good idea to send out some press releases about your business, or take steps to advertise in local newspapers or even national ones. Radio stations and magazines are also things that could work well and help to improve who knows about you, especially at a local level. This can be important if your business is based locally, and isn’t a service offered online or something that can’t be mailed all that far away. It can also be a good idea to simply print out your websites link to be on promotional wristbands, leaflets and business cards, as these can be given out to local people, as well as handed out at events.Â
Google AdWords
If you’re not sure what Google AdWords are, it is Google’s own advertising program, which can be an effective way to make sure that you’re able to get your website listen on the search engines for the terms that are relevant to you. So this is something that can be useful to you when you work on doing what you can to improve your organic traffic using free listings. Because of the competition that can come with this kind of thing online, the cost per click can be quite high. But if you are just starting out, you’ll be able to set a top monthly budget, so that you’re able to stick to your budget and keep any costs under control.Â
Distribute promotional merchandise
There is another offline method that is tried and tested and still works today, and that is all about getting your merchandise, or at least promotional merchandise, out to other people. Many consumers feel appreciated when they receive something like a promotional gift. But of course, you don’t want to make it a gift that is a waste and of no use. So look up what might be useful to them, and then you can go from there; make it relevant and useful. Plus, when they use it, they are bringing your brand into their homes, which is a really positive things.Â
Staff Writer; Roy Adams