Unless a company is a national or global business, then it probably does not need to advertise on a massive scale, because the majority of their customers will be from the regional area. When a business is first starting out, they are probably are on a very strict budget and cannot afford to spend a huge chunk of money on expensive advertising. But by being creative, they can spread the word about their business without breaking the budget. Utilizing local marketing techniques will gain the company the most exposure for the least amount of money.

A great way to publicize a business, as well as promote a sense of community, is by sponsoring a local sports team. When a business sponsors a team, such as baseball or soccer, they buy or contribute to the cost of the uniforms. In return, their company name or logo is prominently displayed somewhere on the uniform. This is not limited to children's teams either. There are many sport teams for adults, like softball or basketball. Participating in a community event, such as having a booth at a festival or concert, or providing a car or float for a parade, will also show loyalty to the town, while getting the word out about the business.

Giving away free merchandise, like T-shirts and hats with the company name or logo on them, is another way to advertise. The cost of the items is considerably less than purchasing ad space on a billboard. Having free pencils, pens, paper or magnets with the name is another idea. A magnetized sign on the side of a vehicle will get a lot of exposure. With the proficiency of people going green, having a reusable canvas shopping bag with the business name on it is a useful marketing strategy that will also encourage a green lifestyle.

For paid advertising, the best places are the local tabloids, community magazines and the local newspaper. Many regions have a television station that is devoted to local neighborhoods and the businesses within those communities. The ad space is either free or very inexpensive. Some of these stations actually do interviews with the local business owners. There is no need to buy a prime and expensive spot on a national Internet search engine. Many communities have a website with a blog about the events that are going on in the neighborhood. This is the ideal place for local marketing with a business ad.