Marketing a company’s goods or services is oftentimes the most challenging aspect of online and offline commerce. To avoid wasting money on unproductive campaigns, it’s best to get back to basics and use classic, time-tested techniques. Here are six easy ways to market your business that are surprisingly effective.

Attend Networking Events

There are bound to be plenty of conventions and meet-ups held regularly in your area for the benefit of local businesses. Becoming acquainted with other companies in your area of expertise can help you to promote your brand. Forging relationships with competitors is one of the best ways to acquire new clients quickly. These events are also a wonderful opportunity to look at your competition, learning their strengths and weaknesses and possibly adjusting your strategies accordingly.

Leverage Volunteerism

Any business can take advantage of the good will and positive PR generated by sponsoring a local initiative or organization. It’s not necessary to donate money to take advantage of volunteerism. For example, your company could start a community organization or mentor local kids to promote your brand.

Create an Industry Organization

If your local area doesn’t have a commercial organization that addresses the needs of businesses in your field, you can start one of your own. By taking charge and dominating the local conversation, you can establish yourself and your business as thought leaders and authorities in your niche. Often people overlook the value of these opportunities, therefore leaving a vacuum waiting to be filled.

Run a Raffle or Giveaway Promotion

Raffling off a valuable piece of equipment or a gift certificate for free services is arguably one of the most reliable promotional methods in existence. Every sign-up is a potential customer gained, after all. Given enough entrants, the extra business generated should more than make up for the cost of the prize. Also, due to the psychology of probability, people are more willing to become engaged even when there isn’t a sure chance they get the goodies.

Hand Out Customized Freebies

Useful promotional products such as custom key chains, personalized coffee mugs, and logo pens can subtly promote your brand and raise your local profile. These promotional products can be imprinted with your company’s logo and contact details so every time they are used by current and potential customers, you gain marketing exposure. Provide goods that are memorable and stand out compared to competitors’ promo products. For instance, you could hand out custom beach towels to customers during the summer. Promotional products like these act as walking billboards, ensuring that you gain repeated marketing exposure every time they are used by recipients. You can check out examples at https://www.halo.com/custom-personalized-towels/personalized-beach-towels.aspx.

Perform High-Profile Pro Bono Work

No matter what your niche is, your business can benefit greatly from doing some free work for a local non-profit or municipal body. Any expenses incurred can be written off as a tax deduction. More importantly, this approach will make local consumers remember you. Too often this type of technique goes unused, even though the possible benefits are very valuable.

These proven marketing tactics can yield impressive dividends under the right circumstances. If you don’t achieve your objectives within a reasonable time frame, try a different approach. Regardless, at least one of the methods detailed here should help you to put your business on the map.