• Direct mail: Direct mail is still one of the cheapest ways of getting your message out to a large audience. The cost of a well presented direct mail piece is easily justifiable given the almost guaranteed results if you target your audience correctly. Make sure you copy is done by a professional direct mail copywriter – it's worth hiring their services for a one page letter. Most people think they can write good copy but most cannot – even people who draft marketing copy frequently do not know how to write good direct mail copy.
   
• Chamber of Commerce membership: Joining a chamber introduces you to other businesses and other businesses to your talents. An advertising listing is often included in most chamber memberships and a majority of businesses belong to local chambers. Do not assume that because you are small a chamber can not help you or has no role for you to play. Offer to do a class on web design. Connect with other IT professionals.
   
• Rotary membership: Rotaries are good places to meet business leaders and introduce yourself and your company to the local economy. Also, because rotaries focus on issues affecting the business community, you will get a good idea of how the local economy succeeds and what it is facing. Involving yourself in a rotary also says a lot about you as a community member. Remember that most successful businesses start local and “go global” after they have established themselves as viable.
   
• Sponsor local education programs: These are different than high school sponsored adult learning in that they are usually sponsored by local organizations or charity groups. They help teach adults new skills. Getting involved in these types of classes will give you access to others in the IT world as well as impact the adults who one day will be working in a local company. Salting the idea of your work in someone’s mind today for when they can use it is like an investment, but you will be surprised how people will remember your skills and effort.
   
• Enter your work in industry talent contests: Whether it’s DMA, or a web specific group, industry associations almost always have an annual convention and have contests that allow vendors to put up their best work for review. Winning or even placing in one of these is a great promotional opportunity. Vendors often visit these as well so you will be able to get new industry contacts and potentially build business relationships. These, like the associations, usually provide as much as you are willing to put into them.
   
• Set up alliances with local businesses: Alliances are arrangements where you sell your services but mention other members if it is applicable and they do the same to you. If you can set up an alliance with a local IT company you potentially can gain customers from their success.
   
• Become a state “expert”: Just about every state has an economic development office that is always looking for ways to promote business. Visiting them and showing them your work is one way of getting in their minds as an “expert” in your field. These people talk to business owners all day, every day. They also frequently make referrals for specialized skills.
   
• Set up IT alliances with other companies in your region for marketing purposes: A marketing alliance is different than a business alliance as you are not pitching other companies, so much as pitching the idea of a one stop shop. It is much more intense than just mentioning another company if something applies. You will market with the other companies and often visit potential customers together. You will also coordinate on proposals so that everyone gets mentioned. In essence, you are selling you – and your partners.
   
• Set up an alliance with one or two companies to work on projects together: Many projects require more than one type of expertise. You might not bid on something, however, if you do not have the entire package to offer. By contacting “partners” when you have such a project, you expand your potential customer base. These other groups will almost always keep you in mind when they have projects that are similar.
   
• Start a blog that focuses on your interests but mentions and shows your work: Blogs are great ways to get your name out to the Internet community. Start one that focuses on things that are important to you as a web designer. Attach links to your web site and to the work you have done. Use it as a way to put your name out and go on record on issues affecting your industry – from legislation affecting small business owners to new software releases. Remember to keep it clean and to keep it positive.
   
• Start an instructive blog that just covers business strategies and web design: Most people realize they need a web site. They do not realize how to create, however. Start a blog that gives tips or covers strategies and put your expertise out there for reading. Keep your advice general (to promote a visit to your site) and occasionally link to you own site.
   
• Start a blog that provides “tips” for companies designing their own blogs: Some companies will create their web sites internally. Set up a “tips” blog that covers common problems or mistakes. Use this blog to set yourself up as a reference point. Remember to link to your work and your main web site as that will give people an “out” when they realize that internally, they are not getting what they expected.
   
• Use relevant industry email lists: Relevant email lists usually possess addresses from people who have expressed a direct interest in web design services. Buy the list and mail them with useful and advice. By doing this you establish yourself as an expert and when they need web design services they will remember (and contact) you.
   
• Ask your existing customers for ten potential customers you can contact: Contact every one of your existing customers and ask them to think about ten potential customers you might contact. If only one per customer pans out, you have magnified the worth of each customer significantly. If your customers are happy with your work they will not have any problem helping you out. Let them know up front what you intend to do with the contact names to avoid any confusion and as a thank you for the referrals offer them a discount on any future work you do for them.
   
• Establish a “thank you” program: Thanking your current customers for their work establishes you as one of the “good guys.” Customers invest in your services and deserve to be thanked for their business. Send them a premium or even just a hand written note to remind them that you have not forgotten how important your relationship with them is to you. Often when done right, this will prompt them to mention you to other business owners or managers.
   
• Publish a survey: Ask your customers for feedback. This shows them you are working to improve every day and also shows that you value their opinion. Ask them how you can improve, what services they could use and if they would recommend you to other companies. Use that information to tailor your products and services and become more valuable to them.
   
• Look for government sponsored “public” IT initiatives to join: Many states are sponsoring IT initiatives – expanding internet access, improving business services, etc. Get on board with these and offer your input at regional conferences or through individual programs. This will get you known to economic development resources as well as open doors to you that normally would not be open. Many times your participation will be noted in print.
   
• Visit your local state agencies and volunteer your time: While most web site development is internal, sitting down with a government worker to show your products or services gives you an opportunity to show them what you can do. Do not criticize their web site. Just point out what you would do differently. Ask them to keep you in mind the next time they do an overhaul.

Conclusion

These are just some of the strategies, tips and tricks we've put together in our guide: 78 Ways to Promote Your Web Design Business on a Budget.