BUSINESS OWNER CORNER: MARKETING ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET📈

16 years ago, I started my car insurance agency, InVision Insurance, and didn't have much money for advertising—I had to be resourceful. I relied on a book called "Guerrilla Marketing" that gives all kinds of ideas on how to market with little money. Here are three “low cost” tactics I used to grow my business:

• The Power of the Ask (Referrals): Your happy customers are your best sales team, but they won't always spread the word unprompted. Always ask. A simple, "Who else do you know that could use our help?" goes a long way.

• The "Google" Engine (Reviews): Reviews are social proof. Send every customer a direct link to your Google Business profile. Not only does this build trust, but it also signals Google to rank you higher in local searches.

• The Original Social Media (Business Cards): Never leave home without them. They are the cheapest, most tangible form of advertising. Let your personality be your best marketing tool.

  
  

The Bottom Line: You don't need a huge budget to grow; you just need a plan. The book above gives great ideas and helps you get new customers in 2026 without breaking the bank.