Marketing separates running a business from being a freelancer. It’s the difference between a strategic play and a prayer — it separates a viable, repeatable revenue engine from a hope that you luck into another gig. But when you’re just starting out as an emerging tech services company, it’s not easy to find a budget to invest in marketing. After all, you can’t spend what you don’t have yet.
That’s where bootstrapping comes in. If you’re selling tech services in 2025, you actually have an excellent opportunity to leverage modern AI tools, data analytics, and customer-centric approaches to get the most out of your initial marketing efforts without breaking the bank. Here's how to start out when you're just starting out.
Creating valuable, relevant content remains indispensable for IT service sales. But ETS sales thrive based on a demonstration of expertise — think interactive, long-form, and user-focused content that addresses real problems affecting your target customers. These can include staples of B2B content marketing, such as in-depth blog posts, white papers, and explainer videos.
This approach draws in prospects organically while establishing your company as a trusted expert. It uses one of the most valuable resources you already have at no extra cost: your own knowledge. Consistent, high-quality content fuels inbound leads and nurtures customer relationships long-term, making it one of the most efficient channels for selling tech services in 2025.
When it comes to selling tech services, you still can’t ignore SEO. HubSpot data shows that SEO remained a top channel in terms of ROI for B2B marketing. Research keywords to pick the ones that make the most sense to you, but keep in mind that the SEO game in 2025 isn’t just about keywords. Don’t forget elements such as a fast, mobile-friendly website and optimizing for AI overviews to gain visibility.
AI is increasingly used to find information. But it’s also one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal to create tailored content at scale. You can use freely available resources such as ChatGPT to help you create personalized messages and even lead magnets.
You should go to industry events. But if you’re not going to talk to people while you’re there, you might as well stay home. In-person networking at industry events and conferences is one of the most impactful investments you can make in building relationships with decision-makers who actively seek IT solutions.
Social selling by using platforms such as LinkedIn to research, connect, and nurture prospects is also a smart but cost-effective way to kickstart your it service sales. You can start off as a solo founder or train your team to engage meaningfully on social media, participate in groups, and share insights. This kind of interaction is one of the fastest ways to get started with warming up leads and gaining traction within your professional network.
Worked on a great project? Satisfied clients are among the most valuable assets for growing IT service sales. And it costs you nothing to leverage them more in your marketing. Formalize a referral program and encourage customers to act as brand ambassadors to generate high-trust leads that can close up to 69% faster.
Webinars, virtual roundtables, and online workshops are some of the most effective ways to broadcast your expertise to your target audience and get the conversation going. Identify topics that are of the most pressing interest to your audience. You can use virtual meeting tools already at your disposal, and you can market these events or webinars through the social media channels that you’re already using for social selling.
Partner-driven deals have proven to be a highly cost-efficient marketing strategy for tech services companies, accounting for substantial portions of revenue in many IT service firms. As a bonus, they also boost your credibility by association. Think about the platforms you’re already working with, and how you can grow those relationships into a channel to reach new customers.
While PR may not produce immediate leads, building strong relationships with journalists, securing industry awards, and engaging with analysts boosts credibility and amplifies marketing efforts. Thought leadership content distributed through PR efforts strengthens brand authority, making it easier to close deals in a crowded marketplace.
For technology consulting companies learning how to sell IT services effectively in 2025, keeping a close eye on their budget means a great emphasis on ingenuity. Creative, cost-effective, data-driven marketing tactics will help younger IT services companies develop a repeatable sales process that can mature as they do.
Start by selecting one or two tactics aligned with your current resources and target audience. Measure carefully, experiment, and iterate based on results to refine your strategy. Don’t let budget constraints intimidate you. Your best marketing tool is the expertise that you possess, so with that confidence — go forth and sell!