What Are The Best Ways to Market Your Small Business

Having an expensive marketing strategy isn’t the same as having an effective one. Social media, blogs, websites, videos and more can all be created either for free or at a low cost. For small business owners, saving money is just as important as making it. Rather than following in the footsteps of those who came before you, you have to realize how your audience has changed, the technology they’ll be using and where they will be tomorrow.

Rather than market for today, market for tomorrow.

Social networking has quickly proven to be one of the most powerful and effective marketing tools. Facebook, for example, is a great way to connect to clients and customers while offering them an inside look into your business with special status updates, images and event invites to subscribers.

When marketing your business through social networking, it’s a good idea to have special online-only coupons and deals. Not only will this bring in new business, but it’s a great way to gain more subscribers to your business page.

Twitter is excellent for carrying on conversations with your customers and keeping them up to date on the goings on of your business, just as a YouTube video channel can be one of the best ways to market your business through short, timely and relevant video updates.

Websites nowadays can’t just exist; they need to perform.

While nearly every business has a website, not all of them have one that is effective or updated on a regular basis. Don’t just have a website to say that your business has one, have a site that uniquely showcases your products and/or services and shows your level of expertise.

Your website should show visitors what makes your company better than any other out there. As websites become increasingly intricate and more visually appealing, it’s a good idea to employ the services of a professional graphic designer or webmaster. Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra money if it means that you’ll earn more in the long run.

Having a share button on significant pages of your website is a great idea that allows visitors to do some marketing for you. If they like what they see, maybe their friends will too and you may even discover a new audience.

On a related note, having a blog is an opportunity to showcase your business expertise. People like to have a preview or test drive before spending time, money and energy. Blogs can offer advice and allow your audience to get a sense of who you are, what you do and how you do it.

Make sure blog posts are short, to the point and make your audience want to keep coming back again and again. Think of your blog like a TV show that people can’t wait to see and can’t stop talking about.

Take advantage of technology.

QR (quick response) codes are a new business marketing innovation that allow mobile users to scan a code with their smartphones and access your business’s web pages right away, rather than having to write it all down. Put a QR code on a name tag or shirt the next time you attend a conference or meetup rather than handing out dozens and dozens of business cards that may be lost in a pile.

If you have a local business, have a QR code on your door that has your hours of operation, phone numbers and website. Having a prize giveaway with QR codes is another idea. Those who don’t win could still be potential customers.

Stick with what works.

SEO (search engine optimization) techniques are paramount when trying to attract business. There’s a deluge of information available online, and people don’t have the time or patience to sort through hundreds of pages to search for what they’re looking for. For that reason, people may settle rather than successfully finding exactly what they’re looking for. Have keywords and phrases peppered throughout your website, subsections and titles that link your content.

Take the time to explore all of your marketing options and the most creative ways for your business to gain exposure. Don’t be afraid to try something new and risky; being safe can only take you so far. Online marketing has big potential if you’re willing to take the time to use it.

What tactics have you taken (or are planning to take) to push your business in the right direction? Let us know in the comments.