Creating campaigns and promotional efforts for your business is a great way to reach more customers. You should do your research and try out different types of promotional content to see which techniques work best for your business and audience.
The more methods you learn, the more success you can find. In this article, we explore 14 ways to promote your small business.
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2 Ways to promote your small business
Why is it important to promote your business?
Promoting your business helps you grow your customer base and increase sales. When you promote your business effectively, you reach a wider audience, helping you build stronger connections over time. In turn, a strong customer base can provide more word of mouth, further expanding your business.
You have various options to promote your business, both online and conventionally. Many promotional tactics are relatively low risk and low cost, making it easy to start building your business network.
How to promote your small business
Here are some ways to promote a small business:
1. Create a website
An easy-to-use and informative website can help you build your business and ensure consumers can learn more about your products and services.
You can use a variety of services to create simple and cost-effective websites that require little or no technical knowledge. Optimize your website for computers and mobiles to make it easier for customers to find the information they need regardless of the device they are using.
Depending on your business, you should have the following information available on your website:
- Store opening hours
- Location
- Available products or services
- Can’t
- Phone number
- Email address
- Contact form
- Mission and values
- History and background
- Staff information
2. Order stationery and business cards
Stationery and business cards serve as a physical reminder of your business and what you do. They also help you look formal and established, which can help build your brand.
List your business name, logo, website, and contact information on all stationery and business cards, and add individual employee names if you create separate cards for key professionals in your business.
If you have a short slogan or mission that could make your business more memorable, add it to your business card as well.
3. Write a blog
A blog can extend your website and allow you to connect directly with your customers. Blogs also serve as an opportunity to improve your search engine rankings, especially if you use best SEO practices.
Write regularly about topics that relate to your business or community, and encourage customers to leave comments or contact you for more details on specific topics.
For example, a local plumbing business might write a blog post about how to cool pipes, and then encourage readers to contact them for more tips towards the end of the article.
4. Develop a social media presence
Most consumers have at least one social media account, so it’s a good idea to create and maintain social media accounts across multiple platforms. Promoting your brand on social media is more effective if you keep posting, which helps you connect regularly with consumers and garner more followers.
Make sure your posts are consistent across all platforms to maintain your brand. Your message and tone should engage your followers, which may require some additional research to make sure your voice appeals to your intended audience.
Some posts that get the attention of all audiences include information about specials and discounts, updates about new products and fun content related to your brand or community.
5. Connect with your community
If you operate in a specific area, connecting with your community can offer an inexpensive way to spread information about your business. Many communities also try to support small local businesses, so establishing yourself in your city or neighborhood is an ideal way to build a strong customer base and spread your brand through word of mouth.
Look for local events to network with the group, such as professional support meetings or events related to your business, such as trade shows or seasonal markets.
6. Often do networking
Networking helps you build connections with those who can support your brand and may be willing to provide referrals. Attend business-related seminars, and look for networking events that allow you to communicate with like-minded individuals. Share your business card to give others the physical reminder they need to visit your website or contact you for details about your business.
7. Build relationships with your vendors
Developing a relationship with your vendor can provide several benefits, and increasing the likelihood of receiving more referrals is one of them.
Most vendors have strong relationships with other local businesses, so you can ask if they know of any co-clients willing to work with you. Give them some business cards that they can give to other clients who might benefit from your services.
8. Register your business
To improve your ranking in search engines, list your business on Google Maps or Google my Business services. Submit your website, opening hours, and location to these services to ensure consumers can find your business when they search for specific terms.
For example, a home remodeling service will rank on a search engine results page when a customer searches for a term such as “home renovation” in a specific location.
9. Become an authority in your niche
When you become a trusted source in your niche, consumers are more likely to recommend your business to others. To build authority in your field, write knowledgeable blog posts on your website.
Choose topics related to your business, and create content that provides additional consumer-helpful information. For example, a local mechanic might write a blog post about learning when to change tires or understanding dashboard warning signs.
You can also host webinars to instruct others on certain topics. Choose a subject you are good at, and send invitations to industry professionals and interested individuals. Webinars allow you to connect with a variety of people who can promote your brand by word of mouth.
10. Send out press releases
Whenever your business does something newsworthy, send out press releases to local news sources or specialized websites and publications. Press releases help make your business name in the news, reaching a wider audience beyond your typical consumer base.
Choose special business events, services you provide to your community or other unique events and create press releases that you can send to local news networks.
11. Ask for an honest review
Whenever you make a sale, ask the customer to leave a good review on your website or a listing service website. Positive reviews are a great source of promotional content, although negative reviews have opportunities too. Highlight positive reviews on your website and social media accounts, which serve as promotional content.
If you receive a negative review, take the time to make a personal response to the consumer to show that you read the review and care about their experience. Responding to unfavorable reviews publicly shows that you are and want to improve your business.
To find out tips for getting feedback from customers, you can read this article.
12. Invest in advertising
Paid advertising is one of the most effective ways to promote your business. While paid advertising costs a little more than other methods, doing research to create a focused campaign can help you maximize your profits
Use print and online advertising to reach a wider consumer base. Send out flyers advertising specials and discounts, and add your logo to your vehicle to passively promote your business.
Online advertising requires more trial and error. You’ll have to experiment with pay-per-click advertising and ads in different spaces to see what works best.
Use the metrics to determine how much website traffic you get after trying different ads to determine where you should continue your efforts.
13. Cooperating with similar businesses
Collaborating with similar businesses is a great way to reach consumers who are willing to try your brand. Look for businesses that provide complementary products or services that can provide a mutually beneficial relationship.
Offer to promote their brand if they promote yours, which can help increase the promotion for both of you.
For example, a local cafe could collaborate with a specialty home supply store. Cafes sell homeware shop mugs, and homeware stores sell cafe-branded tea or coffee boxes.
14. Offer a discount
Discounts are a cost-effective way to get more customers. Choose a product or service that’s not in demand, then create a discount to encourage customer visits. Send mailers about discounts, and post on your social media accounts. This method not only helps you clean up underperforming inventory, it also helps spread the word about your brand.
