When running a small business, there are plenty of things to worry about. From keeping inventory to scheduling employees, there’s little room for anything else. But don’t let your advertising suffer the brunt of it. In fact, there are plenty of easy ways to advertise your small business without shelling out the big bucks or taking up all of your time.

Advertising for any company will always center on the same thing: getting your message out there in an accessible and understandable way. When you keep that in mind, the sky really is the limit for your small business advertising efforts. Take a look at these ideas that can get you started right from your own computer.

Listen To Your Customers

Your advertising should always be about your customers. The ones you’ve already had, the ones you currently have, and the ones you are hoping to attract. Therefore, every piece of advertising you take on should appeal to the customer. And how do you know what they want? Just listen! Customers are always eager to give feedback, so long as it’s easy to do. Set up a survey on your website, ask in-store customers to fill out a small sheet, and take a look at what people are writing to you about. You probably already have plenty of customer feedback to start working with. Advertise for the products they love, advertise for the products you believe will suit their needs. If people love your customer service, be sure to advertise what a pleasant and friendly experience a shopper will get in your store. Whether you put your advertisement on a bus stop bench or hand out flyers, advertising your company’s strong suits is sure to create a buzz.

Embrace Word Of Mouth

Sometimes the best advertising is the advertising you didn’t even know you did. If your customers are happy, they’ll be sure to talk about it. Therefore, help them along by encouraging them to tell their friends and family. Set up a referral program, a loyalty program, or even ask your customers if there’s anyone you can reach out to that will benefit from your services. Your customers can do a lot of work for you with the right push. And as they grow your customer base for you, you’ll have more and more mouths to help you advertise all over the place.

Use Social Media (Advertising)

Social media has done wonders for businesses, big and small. Essentially, it has leveled the playing field for any business to get noticed by consumers and their connections. Set your business up with all the popular social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ and be sure to post regular updates. If you keep your followers and fans engaged, they’ll be more likely to remember your company when it’s shopping time. Also, look into the advertising programs offered on major social media websites. For instance, Facebook Advertising can help you reach more than just the people who “Like” your page; it can reach people who are looking for businesses like yours!

Write Your Own Press Releases

Think of press releases as tasty little tidbits you offer to newspapers, magazines, blogs, and websites. It’s good for them because they have some juicy content to use and it’s good for you because it’s a form of advertising…for free! Luckily, you don’t need a journalism degree to write a good press release. Research online the best kinds of press releases for your industry and then craft your own. Basically, every press release is a promotion of a new service, a new product, or an upcoming event. They are short and sweet, they are an acceptable form of bragging about your company, and they attract both consumers and the media. Having one or two press releases published every month could rocket your business and bring in more clients than you ever imagined.

Get Involved In Your Community

One of the best resources for your small business’ advertising efforts is right in front of you and you might not even realize. The community your business is located in can be one of your greatest allies when it comes time to advertise. Attend small business lectures and gatherings to learn and network. You’ll met likeminded individuals who can give you ideas, do some word of mouth advertising for you, and might even turn into new customers! Also, let your community get involved with your business by throwing in-store parties or promoting “locals only” deals. Your community will feel taken care of by one of it’s own, and they’ll remember that next time they need a service or product from you.

Advertising for your small business doesn’t have to be a big deal. Your business already has the means to get your name out there and start attracting customers. No one said that advertising has to be big flashy commercials or reoccurring radio ads. Instead, try a simpler, DIY approach that you can get started on today.