
A lot of us in the creative workforce start our businesses by bootstrapping. Whether you want a side gig that pays for some fun “extras” or a full-fledged web design agency, you’ll probably do some bootstrapping right in the beginning.
The good news is that you’ve got innumerable options for growing your business without having to spend a ton of money. For every premium solution you need, there’s almost always a low-cost way to make it happen. Later, when your business has seen the growth you’re working so hard to achieve, you’ll be in a much better position to spend a little money on those services.
But how do you get to that point? Well, the bottom line is to do the work. While there are no silver bullets and no handouts in this world, there are some shortcuts you can take. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Give your website a refresher
I’m not talking about a redesign. It’s more like a dusting, or a spit-shine. Tired of your H2 font? Switch it out. Need to reorganize a few pages? Go for it. Are there some images you can update? How about a new color scheme?

Clear out any clutter on your site and get it streamlined. Tackling your website to-do list will leave you feeling energized and ready to face the new interest that’s coming your way. It’ll also signal the search engines that you’re still legit, which can only help you.
2. Guest post, strategically
When you’re clear on your target market, you can get clear on how to find them. Look for guest posting opportunities on blogs your audience would like to read. Drop something really remarkable and relevant for them, including a solid bio that reinforces your awesomeness and points them to your site. Bonus points for setting up a landing page with a free goodie they’ll want, so they’ll sign up for your email list!

3. Get some media attention
One quick, easy way to get some free marketing in is to get quoted in things like magazines and news articles. And the best way to do that is to get on HARO. It stands for Help A Reporter Out, and it’s where writers go when they need quotes and information on any topic. You join a mailing list for the topics you choose, a digest is sent at the frequency you choose, and you respond to any inquiries that interest you.
HARO is free to join, and when it works out, you get some free publicity. All it takes is the time to scan the digest when it hits your inbox and shoot out a response. You get credibility, visibility, and free traffic all at once, and it’s free to you.
4. Check in with past clients
Your past clients are a wealth of business-building gold. Check in with your past clients and ask them for referrals or for a review or testimonial. You never know, one of them may write back with a new project for you!
Checking in also sends the message that your clients aren’t just a paycheck to you. Instead, you establish a personal connection with them and you really care about them. The only thing it costs to send an email is a little bit of time, but the potential return can be terrific.
5. Consider freebies
While I don’t recommend you go around giving your services away for free all the time, there might be a strategic opportunity for you to do some unpaid work to build your audience. Offer one of your services (or a product or course, if you have them) in a giveaway to get some new eyeballs on your business.

Another “freebie” model worth considering is some sort of loyalty program for your current and past clients. Offer a 10% discount on a future project every time a client refers someone to you, or have a “punch card program” of sorts for repeat clients.
6. Teach
Whether it’s an in-person workshop or an online webinar, teaching is a great way to scale. You can use those opportunities to see what kinds of questions the attendees have, what their needs are, and how you can best serve them. You can also use teaching opportunities to test out new material for your own products and courses, if those are a part of your business. No matter what your endgame is, though, receiving direct feedback is invaluable for understanding how to serve your clients better in the future.

7. Barter
If there’s something you really need to do for your business to grow and you can’t afford to outsource it at the moment, look for someone who offers that service or solution and talk about bartering. Your skills are valuable, after all, and if you’ve got more time than money, bartering can be a great way to move up a rung without dipping into your income.
What’s your number one tool for building your business on a bootstrapper’s budget?
Comments ( 89 )
ZackaryCaush
May 5, 2025
http://vavadavhod.tech/# vavada вход
ordina l'uccisione
May 4, 2025
Il nostro servizio offre il reclutamento di lavoratori per compiti delicati.
I clienti possono ingaggiare operatori competenti per missioni singole.
Ogni candidato sono valutati con attenzione.
sonsofanarchy-italia.com
Attraverso il portale è possibile leggere recensioni prima della selezione.
La qualità è un nostro valore fondamentale.
Contattateci oggi stesso per trovare il supporto necessario!
ZackaryCaush
May 4, 2025
https://pinupaz.top/# pin up azerbaycan
Richardmat
May 3, 2025
пинап казино [url=http://pinuprus.pro/#]пин ап казино официальный сайт[/url] пин ап зеркало
ZackaryCaush
May 3, 2025
https://vavadavhod.tech/# вавада казино
Richardmat
May 2, 2025
вавада зеркало [url=http://vavadavhod.tech/#]вавада казино[/url] vavada
ZackaryCaush
May 2, 2025
http://pinupaz.top/# pin-up casino giris
ZackaryCaush
May 1, 2025
http://vavadavhod.tech/# вавада
Kennethsheby
May 1, 2025
пин ап зеркало: pin up вход - пин ап вход
ZackaryCaush
May 1, 2025
http://pinupaz.top/# pin up
BrianCrugh
May 1, 2025
pin up azerbaycan: pinup az - pin-up
BrianCrugh
May 1, 2025
пин ап казино официальный сайт: пинап казино - pin up вход
BrianCrugh
May 1, 2025
pin up az: pin up azerbaycan - pinup az
Richardmat
May 1, 2025
пин ап вход [url=http://pinuprus.pro/#]пин ап казино[/url] пин ап казино официальный сайт
ElmerSip
May 1, 2025
пин ап казино официальный сайт: пин ап зеркало - пин ап казино
Richardmat
April 30, 2025
pin up [url=https://pinupaz.top/#]pinup az[/url] pin up casino
ZackaryCaush
April 30, 2025
http://pinupaz.top/# pin up
ElmerSip
April 30, 2025
pin-up: pin up casino - pin up
Richardmat
April 30, 2025
vavada casino [url=http://vavadavhod.tech/#]вавада[/url] вавада
ElmerSip
April 30, 2025
пин ап зеркало: пин ап вход - пин ап вход
Richardmat
April 30, 2025
pinup az [url=http://pinupaz.top/#]pin up azerbaycan[/url] pin up
ZackaryCaush
April 30, 2025
https://pinuprus.pro/# пин ап казино официальный сайт
ElmerSip
April 30, 2025
вавада зеркало: вавада казино - вавада
Stevendrype
April 30, 2025
medicine courier from India to USA: medicine courier from India to USA - indian pharmacy online
Michaeljouch
April 30, 2025
best canadian pharmacy online [url=http://expressrxcanada.com/#]Express Rx Canada[/url] canadian world pharmacy
Dannysit
April 29, 2025
canadian pharmacy world: ExpressRxCanada - legitimate canadian online pharmacies
MichaelFaulp
April 29, 2025
Medicine From India: indian pharmacy - MedicineFromIndia
Michaeljouch
April 29, 2025
mexico pharmacy order online [url=http://rxexpressmexico.com/#]mexican online pharmacy[/url] mexico drug stores pharmacies
Walterhap
April 29, 2025
https://rxexpressmexico.com/# mexican online pharmacy
Stevendrype
April 29, 2025
MedicineFromIndia: indian pharmacy - Medicine From India
Dannysit
April 29, 2025
RxExpressMexico: RxExpressMexico - best online pharmacies in mexico
Michaeljouch
April 29, 2025
Online medicine home delivery [url=https://medicinefromindia.shop/#]indian pharmacy[/url] indian pharmacy online
Stevendrype
April 29, 2025
canadian discount pharmacy: Express Rx Canada - canadian pharmacy world
Dannysit
April 29, 2025
mexican rx online: Rx Express Mexico - buying prescription drugs in mexico online
Walterhap
April 29, 2025
http://medicinefromindia.com/# MedicineFromIndia
Stevendrype
April 29, 2025
indian pharmacy online: medicine courier from India to USA - indian pharmacy online shopping
Dannysit
April 29, 2025
RxExpressMexico: mexican rx online - Rx Express Mexico
Michaeljouch
April 29, 2025
indian pharmacy [url=https://medicinefromindia.com/#]indian pharmacy online[/url] Medicine From India
Stevendrype
April 29, 2025
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs: RxExpressMexico - mexican rx online
Walterhap
April 29, 2025
https://medicinefromindia.com/# indian pharmacy
Dannysit
April 29, 2025
canadian pharmacy mall: ExpressRxCanada - canadian pharmacy service
Michaeljouch
April 29, 2025
indian pharmacy online [url=https://medicinefromindia.com/#]indian pharmacy online[/url] MedicineFromIndia
Stevendrype
April 28, 2025
Rx Express Mexico: mexico pharmacies prescription drugs - Rx Express Mexico
Walterhap
April 28, 2025
https://medicinefromindia.shop/# medicine courier from India to USA
MichaelFaulp
April 28, 2025
indian pharmacy online shopping: indian pharmacy - indian pharmacy
Dannysit
April 28, 2025
canada pharmacy world: ExpressRxCanada - best canadian online pharmacy
Michaeljouch
April 28, 2025
mexico pharmacy order online [url=https://rxexpressmexico.shop/#]mexican rx online[/url] RxExpressMexico
Stevendrype
April 28, 2025
Medicine From India: indian pharmacy online - Medicine From India
Walterhap
April 28, 2025
http://medicinefromindia.com/# Medicine From India
Dannysit
April 28, 2025
legal canadian pharmacy online: Express Rx Canada - legitimate canadian pharmacies
Michaeljouch
April 28, 2025
RxExpressMexico [url=https://rxexpressmexico.shop/#]RxExpressMexico[/url] mexico pharmacy order online
Stevendrype
April 28, 2025
canadian drug stores: Express Rx Canada - pharmacy wholesalers canada
Walterhap
April 28, 2025
http://expressrxcanada.com/# canadian discount pharmacy
Dannysit
April 28, 2025
medicine courier from India to USA: MedicineFromIndia - indian pharmacy
Michaeljouch
April 28, 2025
Rx Express Mexico [url=https://rxexpressmexico.com/#]mexican rx online[/url] mexican online pharmacy
Stevendrype
April 28, 2025
Medicine From India: Medicine From India - Medicine From India
Walterhap
April 28, 2025
http://medicinefromindia.com/# medicine courier from India to USA
PeterUnomb
April 28, 2025
Cialis sans ordonnance 24h [url=https://tadalmed.com/#]Achat Cialis en ligne fiable[/url] Cialis sans ordonnance pas cher tadalmed.com
Bradleyfup
April 28, 2025
Tadalafil sans ordonnance en ligne: Achat Cialis en ligne fiable - Tadalafil 20 mg prix en pharmacie tadalmed.shop
BernardVeida
April 27, 2025
Acheter Cialis 20 mg pas cher: Acheter Cialis - cialis prix tadalmed.shop
Robertmut
April 27, 2025
http://tadalmed.com/# Cialis sans ordonnance 24h
Robertmut
April 27, 2025
https://pharmafst.com/# pharmacie en ligne
PeterUnomb
April 27, 2025
Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe [url=https://pharmafst.com/#]Livraison rapide[/url] Achat mГ©dicament en ligne fiable pharmafst.shop
Bradleyfup
April 26, 2025
kamagra gel: Achetez vos kamagra medicaments - acheter kamagra site fiable
Robertmut
April 26, 2025
https://tadalmed.shop/# Tadalafil sans ordonnance en ligne
Bradleyfup
April 26, 2025
Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe: Livraison rapide - pharmacie en ligne pas cher pharmafst.com
PeterUnomb
April 26, 2025
cialis prix [url=https://tadalmed.shop/#]cialis prix[/url] Cialis en ligne tadalmed.com
BernardVeida
April 26, 2025
kamagra pas cher: kamagra en ligne - kamagra en ligne
Bradleyfup
April 26, 2025
pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es: Meilleure pharmacie en ligne - Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe pharmafst.com
Robertmut
April 26, 2025
https://tadalmed.com/# Pharmacie en ligne Cialis sans ordonnance
PeterUnomb
April 26, 2025
acheter kamagra site fiable [url=https://kamagraprix.shop/#]achat kamagra[/url] achat kamagra
Robertmut
April 26, 2025
https://kamagraprix.shop/# Kamagra pharmacie en ligne
BernardVeida
April 26, 2025
achat kamagra: kamagra en ligne - kamagra oral jelly
PeterUnomb
April 26, 2025
Acheter Kamagra site fiable [url=https://kamagraprix.shop/#]kamagra livraison 24h[/url] kamagra 100mg prix
Bradleyfup
April 25, 2025
Acheter Kamagra site fiable: kamagra pas cher - kamagra gel
BilliesniCt
April 25, 2025
Acheter Cialis: Tadalafil 20 mg prix en pharmacie - Cialis generique prix tadalmed.shop
Robertmut
April 25, 2025
http://pharmafst.com/# pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique
BernardVeida
April 25, 2025
pharmacie en ligne fiable: acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance - pharmacie en ligne livraison europe pharmafst.com
Bradleyfup
April 25, 2025
kamagra 100mg prix: Acheter Kamagra site fiable - kamagra en ligne
PeterUnomb
April 25, 2025
cialis generique [url=http://tadalmed.com/#]cialis prix[/url] cialis generique tadalmed.com
Bradleyfup
April 25, 2025
Pharmacie Internationale en ligne: Pharmacie en ligne France - pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es pharmafst.com
BilliesniCt
April 25, 2025
Pharmacie en ligne Cialis sans ordonnance: Acheter Cialis - Cialis sans ordonnance 24h tadalmed.shop
Robertmut
April 25, 2025
https://tadalmed.shop/# Pharmacie en ligne Cialis sans ordonnance
BernardVeida
April 25, 2025
Tadalafil 20 mg prix en pharmacie: cialis sans ordonnance - Pharmacie en ligne Cialis sans ordonnance tadalmed.shop
PeterUnomb
April 25, 2025
kamagra 100mg prix [url=https://kamagraprix.shop/#]Achetez vos kamagra medicaments[/url] kamagra livraison 24h
Robertmut
April 25, 2025
http://pharmafst.com/# Pharmacie sans ordonnance
DavidSaisp
April 24, 2025
kamagra 100mg prix: achat kamagra - Kamagra Oral Jelly pas cher
📌 Notification- Process 1.933631 BTC. Verify > https://graph.org/Message--17856-03-25?hs=e18e3a05b8e36d888578e245e163f7f7& 📌
April 15, 2025
sjub5v
Elle
March 21, 2025
Nice tips! You can also implement a culture of knowledge sharing to grow your business. Here's how to do that: https://kanbantool.com/blog/knowledge-sharing-grow-a-business-from-within