Marketing Campaigns that won't cost the Earth
Liz Gibbs • September 12, 2017
Stretch your marketing budget and stash the savings in the bank. It's possible to find alternative ways to get your brand in the public eye without spending thousands of dollars. Here are a few tips on getting free or low-cost publicity for your business.
Conventional media advertising – in newspapers and magazines and on the radio – can be beneficial, but it's often expensive. And you're never sure if you're hitting your target market.
Instead, get creative and give some thought to lower-priced or free alternatives to your traditional media spending. Here are ten quick ideas:
- List your business on Google. Get your business details, such as website, street address, opening hours and ways to contact you on Google Search and Maps. Make it media-rich by adding photos.
- Use social media.
Consider using social media to engage with your customers – for example, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. You may consider launching a newsletter for subscribers.
- Create a blog or website. People are now used to researching online before engaging with businesses. You may want to start an interactive blog or informative website. Be sure to maintain the currency of your content.
- Support local teams. Become a sponsor of local amateur or children's sports teams. Players may wear T-shirts with your business name and logo, or advertising space may be offered where local teams play.
- Sponsor a community radio station. Contact your local community radio station to ask how you can become a sponsor. Check the station's sponsorship pack for ad time and how else the station can promote your business.
- Buy discount ad space. Small suburban newspapers often need extra display ads to fund large editions or special sections. Negotiate a long-term contract at a discount, or track the revenue your ad generates and pledge some of it to buy more ads in the future.
- Get involved in relevant industry groups and forums. List your services on a searchable database for your business type. Get involved in discussions with fellow businesspeople.
- Launch a loyalty scheme. Give customers more reason to return and to refer their friends and family to your business.
- Take a festive approach. Offer to run a concession booth at a community festival or event. Your business name and logo could be displayed on the booth while you and your staff serve snacks and work the crowd.
- Become a subject matter guru. Consider speaking at workshops or seminars or writing original articles.
These are just a few ideas to show that you don't have to spend a bundle to keep your business name in public view. With a little creativity, you can become a marketing master on a shoestring budget.
Need to know more?
If you would like to know more, please don't hesitate to contact Robert Goodman Accountants on 07 3289 1700.
© Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.
Brought to you by: Robert Goodman Accountants
The superannuation guarantee rules are broad and, in some circumstances, extend beyond the definition of common law employees to some directors, contractors, entertainers, sports persons and other workers.
If your to-do list is starting to look more like a novel than a plan for the day, you’re not alone. It’s all too easy to get bogged down by endless tasks, unsure where to start or what really deserves your attention. That’s where the “Must, Should, Could” method comes in—a brilliantly simple way to cut through the clutter and focus on what truly matters.
When it comes to improving your business, think of it like building a house. You wouldn’t add a second floor without ensuring the foundation is rock-solid, right? The same goes for your business.
On the last sitting day of Parliament, the personal income tax rate reduction announced in the 2025-26 Federal Budget was confirmed.
An overview of FBT. Find out how FBT applies, what you need to do as an employer, and what deductions you can claim.
The Australian Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year runs from 1 April to 31 March, and one of the key compliance requirements for employers providing motor vehicles to employees is recording odometer readings on 31 March each year. These readings help determine the taxable value of car fringe benefits and ensure accurate FBT calculations.
From 1 April 2025, the ATO will be moving around 3,500 small businesses from quarterly to monthly GST reporting where they have a history of:
❌ non-payment;
❌ late or non-lodgment; or
❌ incorrect reporting.
Once the change is implemented, it will remain in place for a minimum of 12 months.
Affected small businesses and their tax agents will be contacted by the ATO when their GST reporting cycle is changed. A review process is available for those who don’t believe they have a history of poor compliance and should be able to remain on their current GST reporting cycle.
The ATO believes that this will help small businesses improve compliance with their GST obligations and build good business habits.
Do you think this is a good move?
In Part 3 of our analysis, we look at the impact on Business & employers, Government & Regulators, and The Economy.
Budget 2025-26 is one that the government clearly did not expect to have to deliver. In Part 2 of our analysis, we look at the impact on Individuals and families.
Part 1 of our Budget special: The Government’s big moment in the 2025-26 Federal Budget was the personal income tax cuts. Income tax cuts are a dazzling headline but in reality they deliver a tax saving of up to $268 in the 2026-27 year, with a tax saving of up to $536 from the 2027-28 year.
