Marketing Your Business for Free: A Stay-at-Home Parent’s Guide to Hustling on a Budget
- Jessica Murphy
- Jul 27, 2025
- 7 min read
Hey there, super parents! Are you juggling nap times, snack times, and endless episodes of “Paw Patrol” while trying to build your side hustle? You’ve come to the right place and you are amongst friends! Running a small business or a side hustle doesn’t have to break the bank—especially when it comes to marketing. So let’s dive in and explore some free (yes, FREE!) ways to market your business, all while keeping your sense of humor intact. Grab your coffee (or whatever keeps you sane), and let’s get started!
Social Media: Your New Best Friend (Sorry, Netflix)
Let’s face it: at this point, you probably know more about TikTok dances than your toddler does. So why not use that social media prowess to market your business? Create engaging posts whether about your products/services or just silly anecdotes about your chaotic day so far, use witty captions (don’t worry, we won’t judge), and connect with fellow stay-at-home parents who might be interested. Remember, a good meme can go a long way in attracting followers. Remember to be real with what you post. You will build a genuine audience if you are 100% you and sprinkle in your business like seasoning. A Behind The Scenes (BTS) of how you wrap a customer order while you talk about your favorite Bluey episode that your child has made you watch for the 100th time that morning, a Get Ready With Me (GRWM) while talking about how you had the sweetest Zoom interaction with a client/customer after your toddler ran into the frame covered head to toe in marker (I wish I could say this only happened to me once); the possibilities are endless here. The more people get to know you, the more trust they build with your brand and the more likely they are to purchase from you or recommend you to their friends. A beautiful cycle can be built here and the exposure is all free.
Pro tip: Use 2-3 relevant hashtags! If you sell handmade dog sweaters, don’t forget to tag #DogFashionista alongside #MomLife.
Leverage Local Community Groups
Join local Facebook groups, neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, or parent forums and start sharing your expertise! Offer tips, tricks, and your fantastic products without being the digital equivalent of someone shoving their business card in your face at a party (we’ve all been there). Lead with value. People love authenticity and helpfulness, and they just might end up checking out your offerings. Here's an example of leading with value: you sell skin care and someone posts "Oh my gosh my skin is breaking out! Does anyone have any recommendations on what products I can use?" What do you think the best response would be?
Option 1: "Hey! I sell skincare products! Check out my page for some great deals!"
(This is what we call pushy and is self-promotional without addressing the person's specific concern. It can come off as spammy and may turn people away.)
Option 2: "Sorry to hear about your breakouts! You might want to try a gentle cleanser and make sure you're not overusing products. Hope that helps!"
(While this is friendly and relevant, it doesn't position you as an expert or provide specific actionable advise. It's a decent starting point but could be more valuable.)
Option 3: "Hi! Breakouts can be caused by many different factors like stress, diet or even skincare products that have ingredients that may not work together. I've found that using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and incorporating ingredients like salicylic acid can help clear skin. If you are interested, I can recommend some products or routines that have worked well for my clients - feel free to DM me! I've helped many stay-at-home parents manage their skincare while juggling busy schedules, so happy to share tips that fit into your day."
(This approach is personalized, demonstrates your expertise, offers real value, and invites further conversation. It positions you as a helpful resource and encourages others to reach out for advise.)
Once someone sends you a message, continue that same professionalism and expertise. Do not go into spam mode or that's the folder you'll get sent to. Build genuine connections with people and you'll slowly gain a loyal tribe.
*Bonus: You might even find a local buddy to swap childcare with while you work or partner with on future projects!*
Boost Your Networking Skills
Are you a master at chatting with other parents at the playground, or are you more like a deer caught in headlights? Either way, engaging in conversations not only entertains the kiddos but can be an excellent way to promote your business when done strategically. Wearing your company logo on a t-shirt, or a sticker on your Stanley can be a subtle way to promote your business without being a walking commercial. If you're chatting with a fellow parent at the sandbox, let the conversation naturally flow to what you offer and try not to force it. Remember to keep it light and natural; no one wants to hear a hard sell when they’re also wrestling a toddler off the monkey bars. We want people to remember us as the expert not the plague.
*Pro tip: Create a digital business card. This way, if you swap numbers for a future play date, you can also send them your card. Now, you have their number and they have a quick way to contact you or easily forward your card to their friends as a referral. You never know when the next potential customer might be pushing their child on the swings!*
Start a Blog or Vlog (Yes, You Can)
Let’s face it—everyone loves a good story, and who doesn’t want to hear about your latest “epic” parenting fail? Starting a blog or a YouTube channel can be a fun way to share your journey while subtly promoting your products and finding like-minded people who can cheer you on in the highs and build you up in the lows. Think less "what can I get out of this" and more "how can I best serve my audience." Just remember, it’s about building a community, not turning into a walking advertisement. Sprinkle in some humor, anecdotes, and valuable advice, and you’re golden!
*Pro tip: Use witty titles! “How I Survived the Great Baby Food Explosion of 2020 and Launched a Business” sounds much better than “My New Product.”*
Collaborations: Team Up for Extra Fun
Getting your product or service in front of new audiences is easier when you collaborate with other entrepreneurs who share your target market. When you are in the space of someone who knows the chaos of your niche, you can bounce off ideas off each other and see problems through a new perspective. It opens doors that you may not have previously tried. Whether it’s hosting a joint giveaway or online workshop, teaming up can expand your reach while you sip your lukewarm coffee. Plus, you might make a new friend in the process!
*Bonus: You might discover another parent in the audience who can relate to your life of chaos, and together you can conquer the world of side hustles!*
Email Marketing: Keep It Chill
If you haven’t started collecting email addresses yet, what are you waiting for? Email addressed are gold. When leveraged correctly, for every email address you have you can anticipate on average $1 in revenue a month. Isn't that crazy? Can you imagine what would happen if you have 100 people in your contact list? 500? 1000? What could you do with an extra $1000 a month? Use your existing contacts and encourage them to sign up for a newsletter without turning it into a snooze-fest. Share tips, updates or quirky stories from your daily life, and sprinkle in your business offerings like a new workshop or a product you can't live without. Just don’t go *crazy* with the emails, or you’ll end up in the dreaded Spam folder—a dark place in the cosmos where even the most entertaining content goes to die. One well thought out newsletter a month is better than hundreds of daily emails. Remember to lead with value as always.
*Pro tip: Use a fun subject line! “Why My Toddler Thinks I’m a Clown (and How It’s Helping My Business)” will totally catch their attention.*
Free Design Tools
Worried about marketing visuals? Fear not! Canva is your new best friend (next to coffee). With its user-friendly interface and free templates, you can create eye-catching graphics without needing a degree from art school. Share these images across your social media or in your newsletter, and watch your engagement grow. Another free site I like to use is pexels.com. It provides free stock photos that can be used when your designing skills just aren't that great. Amazing free tools right at your fingers. Who said that marketing had to be hard?
*Pro tip: Make your designs uniquely “you.” Maybe add a touch of glitter or a picture of your pet, because who doesn't love a pet photo?*
Conclusion: Hustle with Humor
At the end of the day, marketing your business for free involves creativity, authenticity, and perhaps a little bit of chaos—but isn’t that what parenting and hustling is all about? So, dust off that baby food stain, put on your “I’m a Cool Mom” hat, and start spreading the word about your side hustle. With persistence and a sense of humor, you’ll be reeling in customers just like you reel in your tiny children from the cookie jar! You've got this!
Now, go forth and conquer the marketing world—your new mini-empire awaits!
Stay Hustling Friends,
Jessica Murphy
Your Side Hustle Coach and Advocate for Stay-at-Home Parents
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