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Since launching in 2005, the Enterprise Nation team has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. Led by founder Emma Jones MBE, Enterprise Nation continues to be the most active UK small business community and a leading campaigning voice for small business. Joining Enterprise Nation connects you with resources, community and connections you need to reach your business goals.

Whether you're a small business owner or a one-man band, getting the word out about your business doesn't have to cost the earth_, writes Ian Bowen-Morris, chief marketing officer for 

_. Why not take advantage of some of these free or low-cost ideas to promote your business? All it takes is a little time and some creative thinking.

Business cards are an essential aid to word-of-mouth promotion. There are plenty of online sites where you can design and order your business cards in minutes - and many offer your first 50 cards for free. 

Check out Enterprise Nation and Moo's business card offer

Working with other businesses that complement what you do will pay off for everyone - including your customers. Create joint promotions that keep customers loyal and coming back for more.

Your local Chamber of Commerce is a great way to meet other business contacts active in your local community. Check out what professional groups are in the area - or try networking with others in the same line of work to see if you can handle each other's workload overspills.

Join the new Enterprise Nation Club for a 25% discount on all our start-up workshops and other events. For just Â£20 per year, we also provide more than Â£500 of exclusive offers from great brands, free business guides, your chance to get your voice heard - and a marvellous Enterprise Nation mug. 

Your local and trade media are always hungry for news. If you're sponsoring a charity event or reaching a key milestone or anniversary, why not put out a press release and work your media contact list? Don't ignore parish magazines, local community newsletters or 'what's on listings' - all greats way to build awareness of your business.

There are lots of places you can set up a free listing for your business so potential clients can find you on the internet or in local search directories. Check out 

A picture paints a thousand words - and sites like 

 now make it easy to create a video for free. Create weekly podcasts packed with tips or demos, bring customer testimonials to life, or post your videos on 

 and drive increased traffic to your website.

 is a flexible and cost-effective way to stay in contact with customers and prospects. There are plenty of easy to use online options such as 

 that enable you to manage contacts, create email campaigns and track results.Â Create a mailing list and send out newsletters, product announcements or hot offers - or create a blog and invite people to subscribe. 

Read Enterprise Nation's full guide to setting up an email newsletter

Promoting your business online has never been easier. Set up a page on 

 and post regular updates to all your subscribers - you can ask followers to post photos, share their favourite buys, or 'like' your business. Use 

 to engage with 'followers' - you can even send out short tips or post video links. For marketing to businesses, 

 is a must. Connect with everyone you know, regularly update your profile and join LinkedIn 'groups.' Finally, 

 is a great place to create a visual storyboard of who you are and what you do that others can easily share.

Everyone likes a deal and creating a special offer is a great way to boost business during traditionally quiet times. Use sites like My Voucher Codes, 

 to launch and run special offers, posting links to your 

 pages so your followers can take advantage, too.

More and more people are using their mobile phones to search for local businesses on the move, and a 

mobile-friendly and search-optimised website

 that displays perfectly on a smartphone is becoming a must have. Ideally, you'll want to create your own mobile website with a 'click to call' feature, business overview plus the option to link to your full website and social network feeds or special offer coupons.

Ian Bowen-Morris is chief marketing officer at 

, a leader in self-service mobile-ready website creation that makes it possible for professionals and businesses of all sizes to get online and 'go mobile in minutes'.

Get loads more marketing tips - for free!

49 Quick Ways to Market Your Business for Free

 by Sarah Jane White does exactly what it says on the cover - and it's completely 

. Just click on the link below. [product id="56618"] 

10 easy, quick and affordable ways to market your business

business.connected: boosting small businesses digital skills

Watch back: boosting small businesses digital skills&nbsp;

&lt;p&gt;I am passionate about supporting women in business here at Enterprise Nation. Please say hello and join my group! Search &amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.enterprisenation.com/find-something/women-in-business-network/"&gt;Women in Business Network&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Senior events and campaigns manager

Women in Business network

Get involved! Join the Women in Business network to meet like-minded business owners across the UK, collaborate and trouble shoot, we are all in this together.

***Reach More Clients with the Power of PR ***

Amanda FitzGerald, also known as The Ultimate Door Opener, trains entrepreneurs how to secure press exposure so that they can go from being invisible in their industry to #VISIBLE in order to attract more clients.

One small piece of publicity can make a huge difference to your company as she learnt many years ago when working for her mothers mail order company: a piece in the Daily Mail saw the business go from a dot on the horizon to a well-known brand!

She has created a proven 7 step process called The 7 Secrets on How to Get into the Press.

With Amanda&#39;s training and mentoring, her clients regularly feature in major glossies, national newspapers as well as high end blogs which can often be a game changer for their businesses.

She holds monthly Pitch Clinics with leading TV, radio and print journalists where her clients have the amazing opportunity to pitch themselves to the press often getting a 100% pass rate!

PR Expert for Entrepreneurs

£99 power PR hour session

&lt;p&gt;Want to know the secrets of getting profitable PR?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Unsure how to get your first PR opportunity?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Want to know how to get started with your PR?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;In Just ONE hour we&amp;#39;ll uncover all the pitching and PR opportunities that you&amp;#39;re leaving on the table, and for just &amp;pound;99!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Laser focused 1:1 attention on YOU&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;You&amp;#39;ll gain clarity, confidence and inspiration to pitch your bu

&lt;p&gt;Hi, I’m Chris Dowling. I’ve been there and done it! With over 35 years of business experience to draw upon, I am here to help you too. You will benefit from my advice, and I will support you through the challenging changes your business needs to make it more successful wether you are a Start-Up or established business.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;My services include:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Business mentoring Business development &amp;amp; growth&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Assessment and analysis of current position&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Sales &amp;amp; marketing Cash flow and financial management&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Access to government support and grants&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Writing a Business plan&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Access to Start-Up loans.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We will define your business goals and ensure you have the knowledge, skills and processes needed to achieve them. I will be your ‘sounding board’ and ‘critical friend’, helping your business grow and expand – taking it to the next level.&lt;/p&gt;

Business Consultant

Chris Dowling

&lt;p&gt;Hi, I’m Chris Dowling. I’ve been there and done it! With over 35 years of business experience to draw upon, I am here to help you too. You will benefit from my advice, and I will support you through the challenging changes your business needs to make it more successful wether you are a Start-Up or established business.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;My services include:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Business mentoring Business development &amp;amp; growth&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Assessment and analysis of curre