Leverage What You Already Have
If you’re running a small business or side hustle, it’s easy to think you don’t have enough resources to market yourself effectively. But here’s the truth: you already have more marketing power than you realize.
In this second part of our series, we’re going to uncover how to turn your existing assets—the people, tools, and content you already own—into powerful, zero-cost marketing fuel.
Step 1: Activate Your Relationships
Your network is your net worth. Before you think about reaching strangers, start with the people who already know, like, and trust you.
Past Clients → Reach out to check in, ask for referrals, or request a testimonial. Most are happy to help if you simply ask.
Friends & Family → Don’t overlook them. Even if they don’t buy, they can share your work and connect you to someone who will.
Professional Contacts → Former colleagues, vendors, or partners might become collaborators or brand advocates.
💡 Action Step: Make a list of 20 people you already know who could either hire you, refer you, or share your business with their network.
Step 2: Repurpose What You’ve Already Created
Chances are, you’ve created more content than you think—emails, presentations, blog posts, social posts, even text messages with great advice. All of this can be repurposed.
Turn a long email into a blog post.
Break a blog post into 5–7 social media posts.
Convert client FAQs into a video series.
Take customer success stories and showcase them as case studies.
💡 Action Step: Dig through your old content (emails, blogs, notes) and find at least one piece you can reuse this week.
Step 3: Transform Customers Into Advocates
One of the most powerful (and free) forms of marketing is word-of-mouth. But you can’t just hope it happens—you have to encourage it.
Ask happy clients for reviews on Google, Yelp, or LinkedIn.
Create a simple referral program (ex: “Refer a friend, get a free session.”)
Feature your clients in your marketing—people love to share when they’re highlighted.
💡 Action Step: Ask one satisfied client this week if they’d be open to giving you a review or testimonial.
Step 4: Use Free Tools Already at Your Disposal
You don’t need paid platforms to start marketing. Free versions of tools are often enough.
Canva for designing graphics.
Mailchimp or ConvertKit free plans for email marketing.
Google My Business for local visibility.
LinkedIn for thought leadership posts.
💡 Action Step: Audit what free tools you already have access to—and start using them consistently before upgrading.
Why This Works
The beauty of leveraging what you already have is that it reduces the barrier to starting. You don’t need a new platform, a new audience, or a new product—you just need to activate what’s already in your hands.
This approach doesn’t just save money. It builds momentum, creates consistency, and helps you market smarter, not harder.