3. Offer FREE Stuff

Offer something of value that your prospects will be interested in so that they contact you and request it. What report, top 10 list, checklist, ebook can you offer to your prospects that's something they'll want to have? Remember, free samples work as long as you can really put value forth to the prospective audience.

4. Use Testimonials

One of the easiest ways to help your small business grow on a limited marketing budget is to take advantage of customer testimonials. Other than direct customer referrals, this is one of the best ways to remove the doubts of prospective customers and put their minds at ease. Customer testimonials serve to break down buying resistance on the part of new customers, in addition to increasing the loyalty of the customers who provided the testimonial.

Testimonials are powerful tools - but most small businesses fail to use them. It is important for you to include customer testimonials in every marketing activity, from display ads to sales letters and radio spots. You can even make brochures and business cards more effective by including customer testimonials. It you do not have any customer testimonials now, you should start collecting them right away.

5. Make Your Customers a Superstar

Want your business to get more noticed? Then feature your current customers. Use Case studies, customer profiles, customer-contributed content, and customer-focused ad campaigns as ways to leverage your base and give them added profile, thus increasing your profile and becoming a more valuable provider to them.

6. Comment on Other Blogs

Think of the number of blog posts you read in a day. Why not respond to a blog post that calls to you? When you respond, make sure to make your name and website. The more interactive you are on other people’s blog, the more traffic you will bring to your website.

7. Run a "Forward to a Friend Contest."

In your e-mail newsletter, let your contacts know that if they use the "Forward to a Friend" link to send this month's newsletter to at least one new recipient, they'll be entered into a drawing for a prize. An e-mail marketing service provider lets you see which subscribers forwarded your e-mail to a friend.

Once you incorporate some of these tactics, you'll see your list increase tremendously. More contacts mean more opportunities to bring in new customers and build lasting relationships.