Tag: Free advertising

Free Business Advertising: Promote Your Business With Hotels Etc.

by hotelsetc, posted in advertising, business, marketing

Originally Published: October 6, 2014
Updated: August 13, 2026

Advertise your business with Hotels Etc. through an exclusive member discount

Finding new customers is one of the biggest challenges facing almost every business.

Businesses spend money every day on social media ads, search advertising, directories, coupons, email campaigns and other marketing programs hoping to reach people who may eventually become customers.

But there is another way to introduce your business to potential customers.

Hotels Etc. allows qualified businesses to apply to become discount providers and promote their products or services to Hotels Etc. members without paying a traditional advertising or listing fee.

Quick Answer: Businesses may apply to advertise through Hotels Etc. by providing members with an exclusive discount or benefit that is not generally available to the public. Approved businesses can then become part of the Hotels Etc. discount network.

What Is the Hotels Etc. Free Business Advertising Program?

The Hotels Etc. business discount program connects participating businesses with members looking for savings on travel, entertainment, dining, shopping, recreation and other products and services.

Instead of simply purchasing an advertisement, participating businesses create an exclusive offer for Hotels Etc. members.

That offer might include:

  • A percentage discount
  • A members-only promotional code
  • A special coupon
  • A private booking or purchasing link
  • A complimentary upgrade or added benefit
  • A discount provided when a customer presents proof of membership

The primary requirement is that the offer provides genuine value to Hotels Etc. members and is not simply the same promotion available to the general public.

Is Advertising With Hotels Etc. Really Free?

Qualified businesses can apply without paying a traditional advertising or listing fee.

Instead, participating businesses provide value by extending an exclusive discount or benefit to Hotels Etc. members.

This creates a mutually beneficial relationship:

Hotels Etc. members receive additional opportunities to save money.

Participating businesses receive additional exposure to potential customers.

Hotels Etc. reviews business submissions before approving an offer for inclusion in its network.

Why Would a Business Offer an Exclusive Member Discount?

Businesses have used promotions and discounts to attract customers for generations.

Restaurants have empty tables. Hotels sometimes have unsold rooms. Entertainment venues can have unused seats. Service businesses can have open appointments. Retail businesses may have inventory they want to move.

A customer who discovers your business through an exclusive discount may later decide to return, refer friends or purchase additional products or services.

There are no guarantees, but an exclusive membership offer can become another customer-acquisition channel without requiring the business to purchase traditional advertising.

Business owner providing a member discount to a customer

Businesses can use exclusive member offers to introduce their products and services to new customers.

What Types of Businesses Can Participate?

Hotels Etc. is widely known for travel savings, but participating discount providers are not limited to hotels.

Potential providers may include businesses in areas such as:

  • Hotels and resorts
  • Restaurants and dining
  • Entertainment
  • Theme parks and attractions
  • Golf and recreation
  • Retail businesses
  • Automotive services
  • Professional services
  • Travel-related businesses
  • Local attractions and experiences

If your company can provide Hotels Etc. members with a meaningful exclusive benefit, your business may qualify.

How Does the Hotels Etc. Business Listing Process Work?

1. Create a Member-Only Offer

Decide what discount, incentive or additional benefit your company can provide Hotels Etc. members.

2. Submit Your Business

Provide Hotels Etc. with your business information and details about the offer you would like members to receive.

3. Hotels Etc. Reviews the Offer

Hotels Etc. reviews submissions to determine whether the discount provides appropriate value for members and fits within the discount network.

4. Approved Offers Become Available to Members

When an offer is approved, it may be added to the Hotels Etc. member discount network according to the program’s terms and requirements.

Why Are Member-Only Discounts Different From Public Discounts?

A public promotion is available to anyone.

A private member benefit is available only to individuals who belong to a particular membership program or qualified user group.

Hotels Etc. operates as a private membership-based travel and discount program, giving members access to discounts and benefits that may not be offered through ordinary public channels.

Want to understand more about how private travel membership programs work?

Read: Why Join a Travel Membership Club?

How Does This Benefit Hotels Etc. Members?

The goal of the Hotels Etc. discount network is simple: continue expanding the number and variety of money-saving opportunities available to members.

Travel savings are an important part of the program, but member benefits can extend beyond hotels.

Members may also find opportunities involving entertainment, recreation, transportation, shopping, dining and other lifestyle categories.

You can learn more about using membership programs to reduce travel expenses here:

How to Travel on a Budget With a Travel Membership Club

Can Business Owners Do More Than Provide Discounts?

Yes. Hotels Etc. also works with entrepreneurs and businesses interested in participating in the travel and discount industry in other ways.

If you are interested in building a business around Hotels Etc. products and services rather than simply becoming a discount provider, read:

Start Your Own Business With Hotels Etc.

Why Has Hotels Etc. Used This Model for So Long?

Hotels Etc. has been operating since 1996.

The company’s model centers around connecting members with private travel and lifestyle savings while creating relationships with businesses and discount providers.

The more valuable offers available inside the network, the more useful the membership can become to consumers.

Businesses, meanwhile, gain another opportunity to place their products or services in front of potential customers.

You can also learn more about Hotels Etc. travel savings here:

Learn More About Hotels Etc. Member Travel Savings

Does Hotels Etc. Guarantee New Customers or Sales?

No.

Hotels Etc. does not guarantee that participating businesses will receive a specific number of customers, sales, leads or profits.

Results can depend on many factors, including:

  • The strength of the offer
  • Business location
  • Customer demand
  • Pricing
  • Competition
  • Availability
  • Customer service
  • The type of product or service offered

The program provides businesses with an additional opportunity for exposure while expanding the range of benefits available to Hotels Etc. members.

Frequently Asked Questions About Advertising With Hotels Etc.

Can I advertise my business with Hotels Etc. for free?

Qualified businesses may apply without paying a traditional advertising or listing fee. Participating businesses must provide Hotels Etc. members with an exclusive discount or benefit.

What does my business have to offer Hotels Etc. members?

Your business should provide a genuine discount, incentive or benefit that offers members additional value and is not simply the same promotion available to everyone.

Does my business have to be travel related?

No. Hotels Etc. works with discounts across travel, entertainment, dining, shopping, recreation and other consumer categories.

Will Hotels Etc. accept every business?

No. Business offers are reviewed before being approved for inclusion in the Hotels Etc. discount network.

Can I use a coupon code for my member discount?

Depending on the business and offer, benefits may be provided through promotional codes, coupons, dedicated links, membership verification or another approved redemption method.

Does Hotels Etc. guarantee that I will get customers?

No. Participation creates an additional marketing and customer-acquisition opportunity, but customer traffic, sales and profits are never guaranteed.

How do I submit my business to Hotels Etc.?

Businesses interested in becoming discount providers can submit information to Hotels Etc. for review through the company’s business submission page.

Want to Add Your Business to Hotels Etc.?

If your business can provide Hotels Etc. members with an exclusive discount or benefit, submit your company for consideration.

There is no need to purchase a traditional advertisement.

Create an offer that provides members with real value and let Hotels Etc. review it for inclusion in the discount network.

ADD YOUR BUSINESS TO HOTELS ETC.

Hotels Etc. — Helping members discover travel and lifestyle savings since 1996.

 

Free Advertising Ideas for Small Businesses

by hotelsetc, posted in Home

FREE BUSINESS MARKETING GUIDE

Originally published October 4, 2014 | Updated August 2026

Small businesses do not always need a large advertising budget to become more visible. Useful content, social media, customer referrals, videos, local partnerships, business listings and community involvement can all help a company reach more people without relying entirely on paid advertising.

What Is Free Advertising?

Free advertising is any legitimate promotional activity that helps a business gain visibility without paying directly for traditional advertising space or media placement.

That does not mean marketing requires no effort. In most cases, a business exchanges time, useful information, relationships, expertise or customer value for greater exposure.

Examples of free or earned business promotion can include:

  • Publishing useful articles
  • Posting educational social media content
  • Creating short videos
  • Maintaining accurate business listings
  • Encouraging customer referrals
  • Building strategic partnerships
  • Participating in local communities
  • Using permission-based email communication
  • Appearing in interviews or podcasts
  • Sharing useful industry expertise

Does Free Advertising Actually Work?

Yes, it can, but the effectiveness depends on the strategy.

Posting random promotional messages or repeatedly asking people to buy something is not the same as building useful visibility.

Effective free promotion usually gives people a reason to pay attention to the business.

A Better Question for Business Owners

Instead of asking only, “Where can I advertise for free?”

Ask, “Where can I provide enough value that people want to learn more about my business?”

1. Publish Helpful Articles

Educational content can introduce potential customers to a business before they are ready to purchase.

A company can publish articles that answer questions customers regularly ask about its industry, products or services.

For example, a travel-related business might publish useful information about:

  • Travel planning
  • Hotel booking terminology
  • Vacation preparation
  • Theme park planning
  • Rental car tips
  • Cruise preparation
  • Holiday travel
  • Local attractions

The objective should be to create genuinely useful information rather than an advertisement disguised as an article.

How Can Articles Help a Business Get Discovered?

Helpful articles can be discovered through search engines, shared on social media, referenced by customers and linked from other websites.

They can also demonstrate a company’s experience and help potential customers better understand the services it provides.

Strong business content should:

  • Answer a clear question
  • Use descriptive headings
  • Be easy to understand
  • Provide useful or original information
  • Avoid unsupported claims
  • Link to useful supporting resources
  • Be updated when information changes

2. Use Social Media to Educate and Engage

Social media gives businesses an opportunity to communicate directly with customers and potential customers.

The strongest strategy is usually not to turn every post into an advertisement.

Instead, businesses can mix promotion with educational content, stories, answers and conversations.

A Simple Social Media Content Mix

Teach: Explain something useful about your industry.

Answer: Respond to a common customer question.

Show: Demonstrate a service, product or process.

Tell: Share a customer story or business lesson.

Invite: Ask your audience for opinions or experiences.

Promote: Share relevant offers when they provide real value.

Which Social Media Platforms Should a Business Use?

A business does not have to be active on every social platform.

The best platforms depend on the audience, industry and type of content the company can consistently produce.

Businesses may consider platforms such as:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • X
  • Pinterest

It is often better to build a meaningful presence on a few relevant platforms than to create inactive profiles everywhere.

3. Create Educational Videos

Video marketing does not always require professional production equipment.

Many useful business videos can be created with a smartphone, clear audio and a focused message.

Possible business video topics include:

  • Frequently asked questions
  • How-to demonstrations
  • Behind-the-scenes explanations
  • Customer education
  • Industry myths
  • Product or service comparisons
  • Travel tips
  • Short interviews

What Makes a Business Video Effective?

A useful business video should focus on one main idea.

Instead of trying to explain everything the company does, answer one question or solve one problem at a time.

Simple Business Video Formula

Opening: State the question or problem.

Answer: Provide useful information quickly.

Example: Explain or demonstrate the idea.

Next step: Tell the viewer where to learn more.

4. Keep Your Business Listings Accurate

Business directories and map listings can help customers find important information about a company.

Businesses should regularly review their online information for accuracy and consistency.

Check:

  • Business name
  • Website address
  • Phone number
  • Physical address
  • Hours of operation
  • Business category
  • Business description
  • Products or services

Accurate business information can also help search engines and AI systems better understand the company.

5. Encourage Authentic Customer Reviews

Customer reviews can help potential customers evaluate a business before making a decision.

Businesses can encourage satisfied customers to share honest feedback on appropriate review platforms.

A company should never create fake reviews, purchase deceptive reviews or require customers to leave only positive feedback.

The goal is authentic customer experience and transparent reputation building.

6. Create a Referral Strategy

Word-of-mouth can be one of the most valuable forms of business exposure.

A satisfied customer who recommends a company to another person can create awareness without the business purchasing an advertisement.

Businesses can make referrals easier by:

  • Providing memorable customer service
  • Making contact information easy to share
  • Following up after a purchase
  • Thanking customers for referrals
  • Creating useful information customers want to forward

7. Build Partnerships With Other Businesses

Strategic partnerships can help complementary businesses introduce one another to relevant audiences.

Examples can include:

  • A hotel working with a local attraction
  • A restaurant partnering with a nearby event venue
  • A travel company working with entertainment providers
  • A recreation company working with local hotels
  • A business organization promoting participating local companies

The strongest partnerships create value for the customer as well as the participating businesses.

8. Participate in Your Community

Businesses can gain visibility by becoming active participants in the communities they serve.

Possible opportunities include:

  • Chambers of commerce
  • Local business groups
  • Community events
  • Charitable organizations
  • Industry associations
  • Networking groups
  • Educational events

Community involvement works best when the focus is on genuine relationships and participation rather than immediate selling.

9. Use Email to Stay Connected

Email can help businesses stay connected with people who have chosen to receive information from them.

Useful email content may include:

  • Educational articles
  • Company announcements
  • Helpful tips
  • Relevant offers
  • New services
  • Event information
  • Business updates

Businesses should use permission-based email practices and comply with applicable marketing requirements.

10. Become a Useful Source for Publishers

Business owners often have experience that journalists, bloggers, podcasters and industry publishers may find valuable.

Providing thoughtful commentary or educational information can create earned exposure when another publisher references the business or its expertise.

The purpose should be to contribute useful information rather than simply asking for promotional coverage.

Are Online Classified Ads Still Useful?

Online classified advertising was one of the major recommendations in the original version of this article.

Today, classifieds can still be appropriate for certain local services, products, employment opportunities or specialized marketplaces.

However, classified advertising should not automatically be considered the best strategy for every company.

Businesses should choose platforms that match their audience, industry and offer.

How Can Businesses Get Exposure Through Hotels Etc.?

Hotels Etc. works with participating businesses that want to provide eligible Hotels Etc. members with special offers or discounts.

For an approved business, participation can provide another type of promotional exposure while also providing value to Hotels Etc. members.

This is different from simply purchasing traditional advertising space. The business provides an eligible member benefit while potentially gaining exposure within the Hotels Etc. network.

Want to List Your Business With Hotels Etc.?

Businesses interested in participating can review the current Hotels Etc. program and submit their business information online.


List Your Business With Hotels Etc. →

Program requirements and participation terms can change over time, so businesses should always use the current Hotels Etc. website rather than relying on outdated information from an older article.

What Should Businesses Avoid When Advertising for Free?

Free promotion can become harmful when it turns into spam or misleading marketing.

Avoid tactics such as:

  • Posting the same promotional message everywhere
  • Leaving irrelevant links in comments
  • Creating fake reviews
  • Making unsupported guarantees
  • Using misleading headlines
  • Copying another company’s content
  • Creating low-quality pages only to target keywords
  • Sending unsolicited bulk messages

Free Advertising vs. Paid Advertising

Free or Earned Promotion Paid Advertising
Usually requires more time Requires an advertising budget
Can build long-term visibility Can create faster controlled reach
Often based on content and relationships Based on purchased media placement
Results may be less predictable Targeting and budgets can often be adjusted

Businesses do not necessarily need to choose one strategy or the other. Free promotion and paid advertising can work together.

Why Useful Content Matters to Hotels Etc.

The Hotels Etc. blog itself demonstrates how useful content can help a company educate its audience.

Hotels Etc. can publish helpful information about topics such as:

  • Travel planning
  • Travel memberships
  • Hotels and lodging
  • Private member offers
  • Theme parks and attractions
  • Rental cars
  • Cruises
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
  • Recreation

Useful content can introduce people to a business without turning every article into a direct advertisement.

A Simple Free Advertising Plan

Week 1: Build Your Foundation

Update your website, contact information and important business listings.

Week 2: Answer Customer Questions

Create useful articles, posts or videos based on questions customers regularly ask.

Week 3: Build Relationships

Connect with customers, local organizations and complementary businesses.

Week 4: Review the Results

Determine which content, referrals, listings, partnerships or platforms produced meaningful engagement and continue improving those channels.

Free Advertising Checklist

  • Keep business information accurate online.
  • Publish useful original content.
  • Use social media consistently.
  • Create educational videos.
  • Encourage authentic reviews.
  • Develop customer referrals.
  • Build strategic partnerships.
  • Participate in relevant communities.
  • Use permission-based email marketing.
  • Consider Hotels Etc. business participation when relevant.
  • Avoid spam and misleading claims.
  • Measure which activities actually produce results.

The Bottom Line

Free advertising is rarely completely free because it requires time, creativity and consistency.

However, businesses can build meaningful visibility without relying entirely on paid advertising.

Useful content, social media, video, customer referrals, partnerships, business listings and community involvement can all contribute to long-term awareness.

The strongest strategy is to focus on the places where your customers are and consistently provide something worth paying attention to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Advertising

How can a small business advertise for free?

A small business can use educational content, social media, videos, business listings, referrals, strategic partnerships, community involvement, authentic customer reviews and permission-based email communication.

Is social media considered free advertising?

Organic social media posting can provide unpaid exposure, although creating and managing content still requires time and business resources.

Can blogging help promote a business?

Yes. Helpful articles can attract people searching for answers and demonstrate a company’s knowledge, experience and services.

Does video marketing require expensive equipment?

No. Many useful business videos can be created with a smartphone, clear audio and a focused message.

Are customer reviews a form of free promotion?

Authentic customer reviews can increase visibility and help potential customers understand the experiences of previous customers.

Can a business list an offer with Hotels Etc.?

Businesses interested in participating with Hotels Etc. can review current requirements and opportunities through the official Hotels Etc. business listing page.

Where can I submit my business to Hotels Etc.?

Businesses can start by visiting

www.hotelsetc.com/add

and reviewing the current participation information.

Is free advertising better than paid advertising?

Neither method is automatically better. Free promotion can help build long-term visibility and relationships, while paid advertising can provide faster and more controlled reach. Many businesses use both.

Related Hotels Etc. Resources


Add Your Business to the Hotels Etc. Network


Explore What Hotels Etc. Offers


Hotels Etc. Member Benefits: Travel, Dining & More


Travel Club Discounts: How to Save Beyond Hotels


Travel Membership Clubs Explained

About Hotels Etc.

Hotels Etc. is a private travel and lifestyle membership company founded in 1996. Eligible members can access participating travel, entertainment, recreation and lifestyle benefits through the membership environment.


Explore What Hotels Etc. Offers


List Your Business With Hotels Etc.


Visit the Official Hotels Etc. Website