Running a small business means making many decisions that may make or break your chances of success. Of all the choices you might make, one of the most important can be how much to spend on your company's marketing campaign. While Forrester Research reveals that most companies plan to spend about thirty percent of their budget on internet marketing in 2017, you may be working with limited resources. If so, there are a few ways you can stretch your marketing dollar as you strive to reach a wider audience.

1.     Teach Instead of Selling

Today’s web users are savvy and know how to avoid ads, so if you plan to make video content, you may want to consider making one that teaches your viewers something related to your product instead of trying to sell it to them directly. For example, USC offers their readers valuable resources related to the graduate programs they offer instead of straightforward advertising, and you can do the same. You can find out more about their communications classes and other business related programs online.

If you want to use this technique, start out with a simple video that runs anywhere from one to three minutes in length. Next, choose an informational topic your customers might be interested in. For instance, if your company produces organic peanut butter, offer a recipe that includes your product and then include the company’s URL and social media information at the end of the video. Your prospective customers may be much more curious about what you have to offer if they learn instead of being pandered to.

2.     Offer Data

Offering customers and those who comes across your company’s blog data relevant to your business may peak their interest in your business. This is a clever tactic because as a general rule, people are more interested in facts than they are advertising. Create infographics and charts for your blog and use them to interact with your audience. Ask them to weigh in on the data you have presented, and once you get a conversation started, engagement may lead to conversion.

3.     Seek Out Volunteers

Maryville University reports that college students are more tech-savvy than ever, and this may work to your advantage when it comes to saving money on marketing. Many college students are seeking volunteer or intern work to add to their growing resume and may be willing to work with your company to gain experience. You can use your company’s social media accounts to seek out volunteers who may be willing to create infographics, videos, and Facebook posts for you.

4.     Create a Variety of Content for Your Site

Your company’s blog should include a variety of information and not be limited to product descriptions or ads. To keep your readers interested and subscribed, you should offer them content that includes lists, articles that measure the pros and cons of a product or service relatable to your business, and photos. This may help you coax your readers back to your blog time and time again.

Finding affordable marketing solutions for your small business can be a challenge. However, creating quality content and using free online resources can help you get the word out like never before.