Co.Solo Knowledge Session Marketing on a shoestring: Big Impact Low cost

Marketing on a Shoestring: Big Impact, Low Cost
For small business owners who want smart, creative, budget-friendly marketing wins.

Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Understand the most effective free marketing tactics (digital + traditional)
• Be able to apply at least 3 new strategies to their own business immediately
• Learn how to create a simple, actionable marketing plan without spending big
• Leave with a marketing strategy template and ideas they can reuse

Part 1: Free & Powerful Digital Marketing Tactics

Topics:

• Optimising your social media presence without paid ads
• Using storytelling & content batching to stay consistent
• Leveraging free tools: Canva, Google Business Profile, Mailchimp and Mailerlite (free tier), scheduling tools
• Creating “value hooks” and education carousels and reels that attract rather than chase customers (reducing sales posts!)
• The magic of partnerships & collaborations online (podcasts, guest posts, Insta Lives)

Exercise:

• 5-Minute Idea Sprint — create one content idea for each of these:

• 1. Educational carousel
  2. Reel video
  3. Partnership

Part 2: Low-Cost Traditional Tactics That Still Work

Topics:

• Referral scheme creation (structure, incentives, keeping it simple)
• Business cards with a twist (QR codes, special offers)
• Networking like a pro (local groups, community events, pop-ups)
• “Leave-behind” marketing – flyers, postcards, or free samples that don’t get binned
• Leveraging local press & radio without paying for ads

Exercise:

• Referral Map — map 3 people/clients who could become your first referrers, and plan what you’d offer them as a reward.

Break (15 mins)

Part 3: Pulling it Together; Your Shoestring Marketing Plan

Topics:

• Choosing tactics that match your audience + business personality
• How to stay consistent without burning out
• Tracking results for free (spreadsheets, platform analytics)

Exercise:

• Mini Plan Challenge —

• • Pick 2 digital + 2 traditional tactics
  • Decide when/how you’ll do them in the next month
  • Share one aloud for group accountability