Strategy. It’s been drilled into my head throughout my career. If a client wants to build a website, it’s impossible for me to JUST think about building a website. There are verticals that must be positioned to push people to the website to make it successful. By now, businesses know that SEO is absolutely essential, so I’ll skip the obvious. Pay per click is another substantial measure that is mainstream, so I won’t preach to the choir. What if your budget limits you to just the website development, SEO and PPC? How do you grow your brand?
There are ways to promote yourself without spending money – but it will take a bit of sweat equity. Subscribe to RSS feeds, message boards and groups that are relevant to your industry. Get in on the conversations!! When someone has a question, use your experience and knowledge to help your customers and prospects. You will build a reputation as the expert in your field. 
Start a blog. It sounds like work but when you’re writing about something that you enjoy (hopefully your field of work!) it is enjoyable. There are 3 very important reasons why you should do this.
1) You want be the first to inform your followers, prospects and customers of news, updates and changes in your industry. Therefore, you must research trends continuously. Writing blogs will force you to be on top of your game.
2) Search engines like blogs. When you tag your blog with relevant keywords, it helps to organically move you to the top of searches; and increases the chance to lead users right to your website.
3) There are writers worldwide who are looking for material and can pick up your blog and post on their own site. This opens up another base of users who may have never found you otherwise. This is also great for back-linking – another SEO tool.
Join networking groups. There are free networking groups and there are expensive ones; but even those that charge have free events that anyone can attend. So go, even when you don’t want to.You’ll be surrounded by those who feel as awkward as you do, but you’ll usually leave feeling like you’ve made some good connections. I tell myself it just takes one. Just one good connection could be all it takes.
And always think strategically. Know your goals and how you want to get there. There are free opportunities that can get you there faster if you are proactive and stay focused. Don’t let budget restraints hold you back. When it comes to all the technology at our fingertips, a little extra effort can put you ahead of your competition by leaps and bounds!
