Follow these tips to add credibility and boost your brand without breaking the bank.

Successful marketing doesn’t mean your plan has to include high-dollar, full-color brochures, advertisements and freebies with your company logo. Sure, those things can sometimes help amplify your message, in the right circumstances, if applied correctly. But there are a lot of simple, low-dollar methods that can have just as much, if not more, positive impact.

Sometimes the best way to promote your business is to promote your own personal brand—people like to do business with people they like and trust. Here are some inexpensive methods of marketing yourself and your business that you can start doing right now to establish credibility and add value to your brand without breaking the bank.

1.  Sell your value first. Learn how to effectively market your services based on the overall value you provide, not just your price. Attend a Ewing Education Services business development workshop for tips and proven value-based selling techniques.

2.  Reward Referrals. People will follow the advice of those they trust, so why not create a robust referral program? Ask for referrals, and strengthen your network by rewarding your clients for any new referral that results in a signed contract.

3.  Be relevant. Tie your promotional efforts and messaging into timely movements, events, or items of seasonal significance, such as Smart Irrigation Month in July.

4.  Get Social. Leverage the power of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Pinterest to engage with customers, prospects, industry peers and the media. Answer customer questions, get feedback and provide customer support. Show samples of your work, and keep your fans and followers informed with timely, relevant information and be sure to link back to your website to drive traffic to your website when appropriate.

5.  Ask for endorsements. Client testimonials can be a powerful tool in your promotional arsenal. Ask, and many customers are happy to oblige. Carry release forms at all times, and obtain proper permission to use any testimonials and property photos you intend to use in your marketing collateral.

6.  Let your landscapes speak for themselves. Case studies are an essential component of your overall marketing package and sales process. Was there a site where you achieved significant water savings, or resolved a major problem area? Document it! You can use case studies when approaching new or existing clients for repairs or upgrades.

7.  Write an article or serve as a media source. Submit an article to your association newsletter, local newspaper or Green Industry trade magazine. Call editors to introduce yourself, describe your areas of expertise, and offer to serve as an interview source; contact information can be found online.

8.  Network. Participate in industry tradeshows. Get engaged in your local Green Industry association. Attend or exhibit at home and garden shows. Present to your local Master Gardener club. Go where peers and prospective clients congregate.

9.  Create a personal bio. Include information on your background, experience and current responsibilities and areas of expertise, as well as pertinent association memberships, education and certifications. Provide a copy to clients as part of your bidding process.

Being prepared and having a plan is important, but be sure to tailor your efforts to those tactics that best suit your personal style. While it is important to stretch and grow your skills, tactics you can execute comfortably and easily will help build the confidence you need to impress clients and prospects—and earn that future business.