So you started your small business. At first, you might have gotten a few orders due to the momentum of your opening, but it can start to slow down. If you’ve noticed a decline in sales or you’re ready to start scaling your business, you’ll have to start marketing your brand.
With so much planning to open your business, marketing is usually the last thing a business owner will work on, but it can be one of the most important contributors to growing your brand. According to Nerdwallet, 41% of local businesses depend on social media marketing to drive revenue and 92% of business owners believe that having a website is the most effective digital marketing strategy. With so many statistics proving how important digital marketing is, somehow 1 in 10 businesses still don’t do any marketing at all.
Odds are that you are not quite sure about how effective your small business marketing strategy really is at reaching your goals and key performance metrics. Or, maybe you have an idea of what you want but don’t know where to start. It can be a challenge to implement a digital marketing strategy that will drive results.
In this blog, we will discuss marketing tips on how to boost your small business.
Build your website now
When opening a business, many small business owners may skimp on dedicating a sufficient amount of time to their website in the beginning. I’ll give you a quick hint: just because you are a small business, doesn’t mean you have to appear as a small business. This means that although you may be small, having a website presence is still an important step to gaining trust and reaching your customers.
Your website will define how someone perceives your business and first impressions really do matter. Take your time building your website now, focusing on using keywords, organic images, and developing content that will keep the user engaged. Then, as you begin to see brand growth, you can quickly adapt your website to meet demand instead of scrambling to adjust.
Use your social media platforms consistently
Yes, organic branding is important and the best part is: it’s free! People take notice of an active business on social media and that activity develops trust with the audience. Social media marketing can quickly develop a strong audience wanting to interact with your brand. Start posting and adding engaging content to your social media platforms that best represent your business. Cut out the platforms where you can’t find your audience or you know you won’t be able to update consistently with valuable content. So if Twitter isn’t your forte, it’s better to not have a profile than to have one that hasn’t Tweeted in years.
One thing to keep in mind is that video content is becoming an important part of social media marketing. By creating videos, you’re increasing the likelihood that your audience will engage. This is why many brands are investing in Youtube and Tiktok as options to reach new customers.
Network, Network, Network!
When starting your business, it pays to meet as many people as possible both online and off. You are the walking advertisement for your business, so keeping yourself out there will be extremely beneficial. Join the local Chambers of Commerce and business networking groups in your area. A small membership fee can be worth the valuable connections you can build and in business connections are almost everything. Online, you can join social media groups, sign up for workshops and networking events, and more – and you’re not limited to the city limits of how many great connections you can build.
People like to not only do business with people they like, but they like to refer people within their network to others in their network as well. Make networking a consistent “To Do” on your calendar and you’ll quickly see how much your community will support the growth of your business.
Start your online blog
What do you know that can benefit the reader and keep them engaged with your business? Potential customers might find your website yet move on to the competition if they cannot see viable proof that your brand is an expert and the best option to choose. Build a consistent blog that provides valuable content to your readers. Not only are blogs great for the search engine optimization on your website because they utilize keywords that people are searching for on Google, but they establish you as a knowledgeable leader in your industry. And, knowledge is power.
Remember, the more you build it, the more organic visitors will find your website and begin the sales funnel process. It’s a process though that requires patience and the right strategy to get the content you create to your audience. This means sharing your blog content with your audience via social media and email as well.
Don’t go at it alone
Many small businesses struggle with marketing and it’s expected. You began your brand because you had a passion that you wanted to share. Whether you’re selling handmade soaps online or are providing legal services, no small business owner comes in as an expert in everything. If you’re an educated accountant, lawyer, marketer, and salesperson, please reach out because I’d love to meet you.
When developing your marketing plan, you don’t have to do it alone. Attempting to do your marketing on your own might seem like the cheaper option, but it can lead to some expensive mistakes long term. Having the right strategy set into place from the get-go ensures you’re maximizing your potential to reach your audience and your financial goals. Hiring a marketing agency is extremely cost-effective because you’re investing in getting it right the first time. Partner with an experienced agency like KJ Marketing Group to guarantee you are making the best marketing decisions for your small business.
Ready to get started? Reach out for a conversation today.