Marketing a small business used to be a lot simpler. Before the internet age, you could simply put a board outside your business to announce your arrival. You would then rely on newspaper advertisements, flyers and posters to get the word out.
The internet may have made it easier to reach more people, but with so many options available, it can be difficult for small business owners to know where to focus their attention. In this guide, we will outline some of the options available to small businesses to help them to increase awareness and boost sales.
1. Build a website
Building a strong website is a great way to make your presence known. With a website, you can take complete control over everything, from the content to the way you interact with visitors. A lot of small businesses make the mistake of building up their profile on a social media platform because it’s “easier”.
The problem with this is that you don’t retain control over that platform, so your business could easily disappear overnight. When you build your own website, you can take advantage of things like SEO marketing to grow your profile.
2. Start a blog
Blogging can help give you a platform to shout about your business. You can speak directly to your ideal target customers and let them know why they should consider your business. You can also use your blog to target longtail keywords which can help to increase the chance of customers finding your website through search engines.
3. Use free social media
Free social media can be a great way to generate buzz. Having a presence on social media can increase word-of-mouth referrals and allows you to leverage your own network to grow your business. If you aren’t sure how to get started promoting your business on social media, there are plenty of resources available to you.
4. Use paid social media
Paid social media campaigns offer a low-cost way to reach your ideal target audience. You don’t have to spend a lot of social media to be able to see results. With a well-planned campaign, you could soon be generating a steady stream of leads without wasting any advertising spend.
5. Start a Facebook group
If you want to focus on building a community, Facebook Groups could be the way to go. Groups typically enjoy more engagement than a simple Facebook page, and since users will have to apply to join, you can operate it like an exclusive club. Once users have joined your group, you then have a captive audience you can sell to. Just make sure you are offering something of value in return!
6. Ask for reviews
When researching new products or companies, many people will look for reviews to determine if they are trustworthy. Reviews can often be the catalyst that helps to turn prospective customers into paying customers. And once you have a paying customer who loves your product, you should always ask for a review. This review could then, in turn, convert another prospective customer. Reviews are not just a tool to let you know that you’re doing a good job, they’re also helpful marketing devices.
7. Start a podcast
If you have a lot to say about your industry, a podcast could help you to increase your audience and promote your business. You could share your unique insight, interview relevant people, or provide entertainment to your ideal target customers. If you have a confident and bright personality, a podcast could be the way forward. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to start a podcast, but you should invest a bit of money to get the best possible sound quality.
8. Try a referral scheme
A referral scheme could help you to turn your existing customers into loyal advocates of your business and bring in a steady new stream of customers at the same time. Offering a discount or freebies to those who bring in new business is a great way to promote your business without spending a lot of money. People love to recommend their favourite companies to their friends, and even more so when it’s a new company that not everyone knows about yet. You can
9. Create a Google My Business page
Google My Business can help you to boost your visibility on search engines. Once you have set up and verified your business listing, it will be much easier for your customers to contact you. They will also be able to get directions to your business, call you, or visit your website. It’s also a helpful way to gather reviews from your customers. Having an active Google My Business listing can also help to boost your credibility, as users will see this in the knowledge panel when they search for your business name.
10. Create a mailing list
A mailing list is something that might take a while to develop, but once you have it, you control it forever. This is an excellent way to develop a dedicated following and to learn more about what your customers like. You can use your mailing list to share information about new product ranges, share discounts and exclusive offers, or even to conduct market research.
When you decide to start building a mailing list, make sure that you commit to regular mail outs. It can be confusing for users to sign up and then not hear from you for 6 months. Make a mailing schedule and then stick to it for maximum success.
