10 WAYS TO GET FREE ADVERTISING FOR YOUR RECREATION OR TOURISM BUSINESS

Nothing is ever free. However, there are ways to promote your leisure or tourism business to a relevant audience without breaking the bank. As people seem to be increasingly ignoring online ads, looking for free alternatives seems like a good idea. If you are willing to devote a little more time and effort to promotion, you can also take advantage of the many ways to get free advertising for your leisure or tourism activity.

1. FREE ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS

Online classified sites work like newspaper ads, with one key difference: they're free. This allows you to reach out to people who are looking for a tour or activity like yours, without paying anything. Some prominent sites include Gumtree in the UK, QUOKA in Germany, Subito in Italy, and Leboncoin in France. All you need to do is visit the biggest sites in your country and create free ads.

2. ONLINE DIRECTORIES

Another way to get advertising without spending any money is to appear on relevant directory sites. These sites list and rank services usually based on certain criteria, such as customer ratings and reviews. The most prominent examples are Yelp, Foursquare, and Tripadvisor. So if you haven't already, go ahead and claim your business page.

3. FEATURE IN LISTICLES

Listicles are long documentation pages frequently published by travel bloggers and other leisure industry websites. A listicle might include something like "The Best Places to Visit in Berlin." If you contact the blog owner or webmaster, they may include you in such a listicle so that you too can reach their audience. Simply search for "things to do in {your city}" on Google and note the top results and their contact pages. Then, approach the site and offer something in return for being included. This can be promoting the blog on your own site or at least sharing the article on social media once you're included.

4. GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

Google My Business allows you to create a local listing on Google so that people can find you on Google Maps. You also appear in results when searching for relevant local services (e.g. "Segway nearby"). Since travelers and even locals often use Google Maps to get around, it's a great idea to be listed there so people can find you more easily. This is a no-brainer option since it's free and provides great visibility.

5. GUEST BLOGGING

While you want to publish primarily on your own blog, guest posting on other sites is a great way to gain free exposure. Similar to listicles, you'll gain access to the site's audience while earning a backlink that will help you rank better in search engine results. Guest blogging is a great free promotion approach because it's a win-win situation for you and the website, which receives additional content without paying for it. If you haven't already, give it a try and search Google for travel and leisure blogs related to your visit or activity. Then, ask if they're looking for a guest post on a topic you know well. You can use tools like SimilarWeb and Moz to assess the site's reach and authority in the field.

6. POSTING IN NICHE COMMUNITIES

While forums have traditionally been the best reflection of people's online meeting and communication places, reaching niche communities is even more convenient these days. With sites like Quora and Reddit, you can quickly reach a large, relevant audience without spending a dime. Additionally, tools like Slack and WhatsApp are also becoming more popular for building and growing online communities.
All of these services are free - you just need to sign up and search for relevant keywords for your tour or activity. Buy/sell groups and traveler communities in your city are a good starting point. Once you join a group, start contributing to discussions and include a link to your website.

7. SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be used to promote your leisure or tourism activity for free. Create a business page or profile on these platforms and post regular updates about your services. Share photos, videos, and other content related to your activity to engage with your audience. You can also use social media to run contests, offer discounts, or promote special offers to your followers. By building a strong social media presence, you can increase your reach and attract more customers.

8. EMAIL MARKETING

Email marketing is another effective way to promote your leisure or tourism activity for free. Collect email addresses from your customers and create a newsletter or email campaign to keep them informed about your services. You can share news, updates, and special offers through email, and even send personalized messages to your subscribers. By building an email list, you can keep your customers engaged and encourage them to book your services again in the future.

9. REFERRAL MARKETING

Referral marketing is a powerful way to get free advertising for your leisure or tourism activity. Encourage your customers to refer their friends and family to your business, and offer incentives or rewards for successful referrals. You can also partner with other businesses in your industry to cross-promote each other's services. By leveraging the power of word-of-mouth marketing, you can increase your customer base and grow your business.

In conclusion, there are many ways to promote your leisure or tourism activity without spending a lot of money. By using free online resources like social media, email marketing, and referral marketing, you can reach a wider audience and attract more customers to your business. With a little effort and creativity, you can get the free advertising you need to succeed in this competitive industry.