Five Ways to Launch a Business for Less Than $100 a Month

After months of toiling away, you're ready to let the world know about your work.

But you're not a major Hollywood studio with millions on hand to market and promote your company.

Here are five ways to launch that cost less than $100 a month:

Make the Most of Technology

Email blasts are one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to get others talking about your company or product, says Paula Keung, a free-lance marketing consultant with 10 years experience.

But make sure you're targeting the right people. A handy reference for Keung is Mastheads.org, a community-generated Web site that gives users contact information for more than 450 magazines. The price: $4 a week. Contribute to the list and get free access for one year.

Be Your Own Advocate

Word of mouth marketing is the best that money can buy because it's mostly free. Network with everyone you know. Build your pitch list by asking friends for their contacts.

"People trust people they know, and word of mouth marketing can be an introduction to new customers through a safe and reliable source," explains Evan Shapiro, president of the Independent Film Channel.

Set Up an Internship

Can't write a pitch letter to save your life? Hire a college or graduate student majoring in English. And if you don't have the budget for an employee, present the job as an internship in which a student can get school credit.

Build It and They Will Come

To get people to talk about their new company, a design and technology studio that provides software for small businesses, Iridesco founders Danny Wen and Shawn Liu spearheaded a technology and media networking organization called NextNY with a small group of New York City-based entrepreneurs.

"In the end, it didn't cost us anything except a few hours set aside to help start the community, and in turn, we met lots of great people who are subsequently introduced to our products," says Wen. "The key is to get to know people."

Be Generous

If you can spare them, hand out samples. Better yet, says Keung, offer to be part of an event's gift bags. For a jewelry client, she contacted the Young Patrons Society of Lincoln Center in New York City to see if they needed gift bag ideas for their gala.

"It'll just cost you the cost of the product and your time," says Keung. So look into local arts societies, alumni associations, festivals and fund-raising events.