Wishful thinking will not bring in sales. Depending on organic traffic from the search engines will not increase your profits. Only actively promoting your business and your awesome products and services will attract your ideal customers, which ultimately will result in sales.

Taking an active role in marketing your business is a daily task. The idea is that with your comprehensive marketing strategy, you’ll have a steady stream of prospects finding you and entering into your sales funnel. While you don’t need to spend a solid 8 hours each day on marketing, you do need to set aside a minimum of 30 minutes a day or delegate your marketing tasks to a virtual assistant or social media manager.

Here are some low-cost ways to tell the world about your fabulousness:

1. Create a marketing plan. I know you want to jump right in and use every avenue available to promote your business but posting a hodgepodge of random posts will not help establish your brand or credibility. Determine who your target client is, where you can find them, and what information they will find useful. Look ahead on your calendar and schedule seasonal themes, seasonal offers, or sales. Knowing what you’ll promote and when relieves a lot of stress and confusion when it comes to creating your actual marketing content.

2. Embrace social media. Your community wants to hear from you. If you don’t connect with them, they will find someone else to follow. Consistency is key when it comes to social media marketing and some experts argue even skipping one day of posts can affect your reach. Keep in mind that not every post should sell something. Of course, mention what you offer but then post about other topics that interest your audience. Share some advice; share some common mistakes in your industry or niche; highlight some of your clients’ successes in case studies.

3. Nurture your email list. Similar to your social media following, your email list has given you permission to email them, so they are already interested in what you have to say and offer. However, if you neglect to email after a few weeks or months, you’ll be starting at ground zero to rebuild that trust. A relationship of any kind is a two-way street, a give and take. You have to give valuable information to your audience before you can take their hard-earned money. Stay in touch, make recommendations based on their needs, and tell them about your newest offerings.

4. Come out of hiding and start networking at live events. For far too many business owners, hiding behind the computer creating content is a happy space or safe zone. But if you’re not going to toot your own horn, then who will do it for you? Even affiliates need to see you promoting your own stuff or they will be less motivated to do the same. After all, if you’re not excited to tell the world about your business, why should they? Search for local business events, Chamber of Commerce events, BNI chapter meetings, or service organizations, such as Rotary Clubs or Lions Clubs. My other business, Women's Networking Alliance, is a PERFECT place for women business owners to start networking!

5. Learn to ask for testimonials and referrals. Testimonials come from happy clients and are often listed on business websites and social media pages. Referrals come from those with whom you’re networking by simply asking if they know anyone in a particular company or niche who could possibly need your services. Once you get in the habit of asking these questions, it will become second nature to you.

Before you launch a product or talk about your fabulousness, be sure to have a marketing plan in place. Check out my Cash Calendar: Your 12 Month Marketing + Profit Plan to help get yourself organized! This workbook is the perfect tool to strategically map out your marketing and profit plan for the next 12 months so you'll never have to wonder which product or service to promote next!

Tracey Lee Davis, founder of ZingPop Social Media, turns busy small business owners into online marketing rockstars! A social media expert and Certified Solution Provider for Constant Contact, she coaches entrepreneurs in how to grow their business using social media and provides total management for their email marketing campaigns. Tracey Lee is also a featured speaker for associations and business groups. She is Alignable's 2021 Local Business Person of the Year for San Jose, a Certified Content Marketing Strategist, and the Co-Owner and Vice President of the Women’s Networking Alliance. She also really, really loves cheese.