Business growth. Business growth through marketing is what we want to see as the final outcome for any and every client we work with. We want our clients to make money, succeed in their industry, and lead a fulfilled professional and personal life. This weeks blog is geared towards new entrepreneurs, or those thinking of stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Though, existing business owners can also benefit from this blog too.
Everybody in business knows that in order to succeed, you simply MUST market your business. Everybody! It’s a simple fact. Sometimes it can be a pain in the ass, but it’s true. Your business will go nowhere without getting its message out to potential and existing customers. Every business must dedicate a certain percentage towards marketing. There are limitless ways to market your business and we’ll cover just a few here.
When starting out, nobody knows who you are, what your business does, any of your rates, what you specialize in, or how your service or product can help. This is where we come in. Or…you can try to tackle these things on your own. In fact, we’d much rather see a new business owner attempting to market themselves on their own than do nothing at all. Hell, we give free advice to entrepreneurs that we know or newbies that we meet on a daily basis to better help their business, even if they don’t use us. It does not matter if your business is a small 1 person operation cutting grass or a 1000 employee manufacturing plant. Marketing your business is essential!
Here are some very simple and affordable ways to market your business. Some will get you great results, while others will be a waste of time and money so be sure to track how your customers found you.
*Networking-networking and building other professional relationships can be a fantastic way to reach more people. At 77, we network several times per week because it has provided us with solid referrals, advice from others in different fields (legal, accounting, insurance, etc.) and has built us strong long lasting relationships with other business owners. Do it!
*Signage-yard signs are very inexpensive and many in fields such as landscaping use yard signs often to get their message in front of people. Billboards can attract attention to passersby. Signage in general can direct people to your location or how to reach you.
*Direct Mail-direct mail gets you into peoples homes. It can vary on price and range but if done right, your offer on a direct mail piece can get that phone ringing or buzzing with emails.
*Business Cards-this goes without saying but we’ll mention it anyhow. You absolutely have to have business cards. If they are unique in design they will be less likely to get thrown away and may sit on a desk for a while. This can drive people to make that call to you eventually.
Other marketing tactics that may cost you a bit more but are more effective:
*Website-Every business should have one. A website isn’t just a marketing piece, it is the online face of your business. The site should look GREAT not just good and offer enough info that attract customers to your business. Too much info will make it look cluttered so keep it vague but informative. Great photographs or designs will make it stand out. Also, make it SEO friendly, which is an entirely different topic.
* Paid Ads-Online paid ads help your web presence and direct potential customers to your website and any offers you have. They vary in price based on a wide range of variables. Some businesses we know use paid ads exclusively to attract customers.
* Social Media-Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, these are just a few social media outlets that can drive a huge portion of business your way. It has to be consistent posting and not just randomness unrelated to your brands’ personality or message. Posts can be informative, they can have call to action discounts, or just be plain humorous, depending on the persona you want for your business. Having a company manage your page(s) can be costly but rewarding if the pages and posts are done right. Every business should also have social media outlets in todays market.
*Geofencing-Ever have specific ads pop up in your news feeds related to something you like or have shopped for? An example of this is if you purchased a pair of shoes online and then ads for similar products show up after that. Geofencing uses locations, and info recorded from the internet to then target specific people or customers. It may seem creepy, yes, but it is a heavily successful way of marketing.
Regardless of the size, income, or industry of your business…you should be marketing! Every successful professional will tell you the same. Give us a call with any questions or to bounce marketing ideas off of. We’re here to help!
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