Whether you’re a full-time freelancer or trying to start a photography business on the side of your full-time job, a good portion of your time will fall under the category of marketing. In order to promote your business both online and on the ground, you will have to spend some money on things like business cards, prints, web hosting and transportation. Every business comes with expenses, and photography is no different. However, there are more than enough ways to market your photography business for free. Here are 5 to start with:

Social Media

The no-brainer here is social media, and yet too many creatives fail in this department. You should be using social media channels like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest not just to share you work, but to strategize and convey brand messages. Every connection and impression you make is of value, so it’s important to view social media less as an outlet and more as a marketing engine. Here are a few helpful articles for using Twitter in particular:

Twitter For Photographers: Five Reasons To Hatch From Your Shell

Twitter For Photographers: 3 Essential Tips

Twitter For Photographers: 3 More Essential Tips

Networking

If social media is your marketing engine, networking is your fuel. And you don’t necessarily need to attend large-scale networking events to be a successful networker. The whole idea of talking to strangers is always somewhat overwhelming, so think of it like this: All you have to do is introduce yourself to potential clients and collaborators. Tell them what you do, exchange contact info and drop them a line every now and then.

Sounds a little less scary now, right? And you can do it everywhere you go – no sales pitch required.

Blogging

All photographers should have a blog and post on it frequently. Your blog is your forum for expressing your ideas, engaging your audience and sharing your work. Blogging boosts your search engine rankings and establishes your website as a credible source for information. Be realistic and set aside a few hours each week for writing a blog article. When you post something, be sure to disseminate it across your social media channels.

Referral Bonuses

Referrals are a key component to any freelance business. Encourage your customers to spread the word that you’re the best photographer in town, and offer them a discount or upgrade for any referral they send your way. This can be kind of an awkward pitch verbally, so consider adding a snappy message in your e-mail signature or on your business card – something like, “Happy clients help drive my business. Refer a friend and get (your offer here).”

Online Communities

In addition to social media networks, there are online communities designed to help connect creatives with clients. For example, YourArtGallery.com is a new website where users can share, sell and buy photography. Photographers keep 90 percent of all royalties from their sales, while fans can up-vote their favorite images for increased exposure on the homepage.

By making the most of these free opportunities, you can get your photography business firing on all cylinders. The investments you do make will yield greater results, and customers will be impressed by your small business savvy. So, what free tools and techniques are you using to market your business? Tell us in the comments below.