As a small business owner, marketing is not just your responsibility, it's your obligation. If you don't do it, no one will. It's easy to feel inundated by all the marketing advice out there which can make taking action seem too daunting. But in reality, most marketing strategies are quite simple and can be implemented with little to no cost or time on your part. If you’re looking for low cost marketing service on Instagram, you can use Mixx. besides it, there are hundreds of marketing channels out there, but it doesn't have to be complicated, and it doesn't have to be time consuming. A few very simple strategies can go a long way toward getting your business started in the right direction.
Have you just started a small business? Looking to get your name out there? If so, you might be searching for a little help with marketing strategies.
Fortunately, we have the help you need. So, without further ado, here are eight simple marketing tips for small businesses to utilize.
1. Post on Social Media
First and foremost, you need to post on social media. This is a simple and free way to gain exposure for your business. The more you post, the more rapport you’ll build with potential customers, and the more your business will grow over time.
The best social media platforms to use for small businesses include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Build a following on these platforms and you’ll start to turn sales.
2. Create a Website
We’re fully entrenched in the digital age. A good deal of modern business happens online. Not only do people buy things online but they search for new businesses online as well.
As such, your business needs an online presence. You can establish this online presence by creating a website for yourself.
There’s a lot that goes into creating a website, so you might want to pay to have a professional create it for you. That said, there are a number of website builders available that could help you build it on your own.
3. Create a Google My Business Profile
When people search for services on Google, the search engine returns a list of relevant businesses. This list is one of the first things that shows up on the page, meaning that it has tons of visibility.
The businesses that show up on this list? They all have a Google My Business profile. And if you want as much exposure for your business as is technologically possible, you should create a Google My Business profile as well.
This is as simple as going to the Google My Business page, filling out some information, and then verifying your business’ address. Your business will show up on that much-seen list in no time.
4. Hand Out Business Cards
You’ve likely been handed a business card or two over the years. Odds are, you throw it into the trash and never thought about it again. So, you might be thinking, “Do business cards actually work?”
The answer is yes! Sure, a lot of people get a business card only to get rid of it as soon as possible. But there are plenty of people out there who will keep business cards around so that they can potentially do business with the people on those cards somewhere down the line.
So, make a few hundred business cards and pass them out to anyone who you think might be interested in your service. The results over time may surprise you.
5. Partner up With Other Small Businesses
Another small business marketing strategy is to partner up with other small businesses. This serves a number of purposes.
For one, it exposes the other business’ customers to your business, thus landing you more sales over time. For two, it shows potential customers that your business is accepted by other businesses, thus lending your business credibility. For three, it shows that your business is part of the community, thus helping its public image.
There are a number of ways that you can partner up. You could hold a charity event together, you could set up a referral program wherein you each get a cut of the sales that you send each others’ way, or you could even work in tandem to solve customers’ problems (for instance, you could provide web design services while your partner provides content writing services).
So, do what you can to build relationships with other local business owners. Join the chamber of commerce, connect with these individuals on social media, and make a concerted effort to be part of the group.
6. Hold a Raffle
A good way to attract new followers on social media is to hold a raffle. Create a post stating that you’ll give away prizes to a select few people who share the post and follow you on social media. This will incentivize people to connect with your business, thus bringing them one step closer to becoming a customer.
You don’t even have to give away much. If you run an auto shop, you could give away something as simple as a free oil change.
The key is to make it free. People love free stuff and will have no problem liking your page on Facebook in order to get it.
7. Engage in Content Marketing
Another of our many marketing ideas is to engage in content marketing. This involves writing articles about topics in your industry or niche and then posting those articles on your website and sharing them on social media.
Not only does content marketing help your business to get noticed on search engines, but it also proves your credibility and authority in your field. This credibility and authority can be vital in getting potential customers to do business with you.
Don’t have time to write content? A marketing agency can help you. The best marketing services provide content marketing services.
8. Get Your Name Out There
In the early stages of a business, brand exposure is arguably the most important thing to think about. The more you can get your business’ name out there, the more familiar it will become, and the more credibility it will build. This will ultimately result in sales.
So, how do you get your name out there? Well, social media usage is a start.
However, you should also consider creating a magnet that shows your company name and logo on the side of your vehicle. Your vehicle will be seen by thousands of people daily, some of whom might remember you.
You could also use chalk to write your company’s name guerilla-style on the sidewalks in public areas. Posting stickers on telephone poles can help as well.
Just don’t overdo it. Spread your name around reasonably and, with time, people will come.
These Marketing Tips for Small Businesses Can Make a World of Difference
And there they are, eight marketing tips for small businesses to help get your name out there. Put these tips to good use, and soon enough, you’ll have more business than you can deal with.
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