Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with the incredible Natasha Buttler of Boost Marketing Services to talk about a topic oh-so-close to my heart: marketing. Specifically, we chatted about how to effectively market on a shoestring budget — because you don’t need to spend hundreds of thousands to get the visibility you want.
With nearly 30 years of experience in commercial marketing, Natasha’s mission is to take the complexity out of marketing and make it fun again. She has a tagline that I love, “You can’t sell a secret”, which perfectly shows what she’s all about — helping businesses go from being the best-kept secret to being known, valued, and booked out.
So, here are her top zero-dollar marketing tactics:
Zero-Dollar Marketing Tactics for Small Businesses
1. Leverage Your Google Business Profile
Natasha’s first tip is to set up and regularly update your Google Business profile. It’s free and incredibly powerful, especially since 95% of Australians use Google as their main search engine. A verified profile allows you to collect Google reviews, making your business more credible and discoverable.
Pro Tip: Avoid using the Google Ads voucher they send — it’s better to seek professional advice if you choose to invest in ads later.
2. Be the Face of Your Business
People connect with people, so don’t be afraid to show up and be visible.
This doesn’t mean you need to become an influencer. Natasha emphasises the importance of authentically connecting with your audience and building trust by letting them see the person behind the business.
I know first-hand that it CAN be challenging to put yourself out there. While you want that face-to-face connection, it’s easy to let your identity get tied up in your business. So, if you want to be the face of your business, remember that you can show up authentically — you don’t have to have the studio lighting, the flawless face, or a curated script for every post. Take the pressure off.
3. Be the First to Show at Networking Events
We all know networking is one of the most effective and free ways to grow your business. THAT is nothing new. But Natasha’s hack? Arrive early to events to ensure you’re one of the first people others engage with.
It’s WAY easier (and less awkward) to start a conversation when you’re early, rather than jutting into conversations when you’re the last person to arrive.
4. Batch Your Content
Time is a precious resource, so batching your content is a game-changer. We all know that social media marketing is a great way to get organic traffic, but let’s be honest. It can really eat up a lot of time, especially when you’re planning out content the day-of.
So, set aside a few hours each week or month to create posts, videos, or reels. You can use theme days and frequently asked questions to guide your content. (For example, maybe Monday is all about your marketing tips, Tuesday is your expert advice to commonly asked questions, Wednesday is a behind-the-scenes work day, and so forth.) And remember, consistency is more important than perfection.
5. Use Easy and Quick Branding Templates
You don’t HAVE to be a design expert to put curated content and branding out there. Using templates in Canva can help create a consistent and recognisable look for your brand.
It’s all about maintaining cohesion with your colours and fonts to build trust and make your business more memorable. And it’s completely free (unless you want to upgrade to a pro account, of course).
6. Share Your Personality
Don’t hesitate to showcase personal moments. Natasha isn’t saying that you need to film every moment of your day. But she is saying that showing your personality matters.
A perfectly curated Instagram profile might look pretty, but it doesn’t showcase who you actually are. A human – with unique traits, quirks, and imperfect moments.
Maybe that means you share a clip of you working on a hobby or sharing a recent hike or vacation you went on. You’re going for relatability. Natasha said that people want to connect with the person BEHIND the business, so add your personality to the mix (especially in an age where AI seems to be taking over so much content).
7. Optimise Your Social Media
Social media is now a search engine.
It’s more important than ever to incorporate keywords and SEO into your content so the algorithm shares your content. Include clear CTAs in every post and make sure people coming to your page know exactly what you do and what problem you solve.
You Can’t Sell a Secret
As Natasha says, “You can’t sell a secret.” We have to be willing to show up for ourselves, be proud to talk about what we do and who we serve and get our messaging out there. THAT is how you’re going to grow your client base and bring in more leads.
I’d love to know which zero-dollar marketing tactics you implement to take your business from being a hidden gem to a recognisable brand.
Want to connect with other women business owners who can help you grow? Join the HerBusiness Network Waitlist today and gain access to a supportive community, resources, and opportunities to help your business thrive.
And don’t forget to check out more from Natasha Buttler at Boost Marketing Services.
