The marketplace is crowded, and there are more ways than ever to connect with customers and potential customers. To get an edge over the competition you need to select and implement proven small business marketing strategies.
There are literally hundreds of small business marketing strategies to promote your business and increase sales. So, how do you choose what strategies are right for your business? Let’s get started by exploring ten of the best small business marketing strategies (in no particular order):
1. Web site optimization: Search engine optimization (SEO) should be an integral part of your small business marketing strategies. Research the keywords your potential customers are searching and use the keywords throughout your Web copy. A keyword-rich Web site makes it easier for potential customers to find you because you will rank higher in search engine results.
2. Email marketing: Use opt-in email marketing campaigns to stay in touch with your existing customers or potential customers who have shown interest in your products/services by signing up for your newsletter. You can provide valuable information, position yourself as an expert, and promote special offers to sell your products/services. You’ll also continue to build relationships with these small business marketing strategies.
3. Article marketing: Speaking of positioning yourself as an expert, writing informative articles on relevant topics to your target audience is an inexpensive way to do just that. Avoid a sales pitch. Instead, use keywords you researched and used in your Web copy and focus on a specific topic. Submit the articles online and/or to trade publications to gain more exposure for your business.
4. Blogging: It seems like nearly every business owner has a blog these days. And there’s a reason for it. Writing regular blog posts is a small business marketing strategy that gives you credibility, provides keyword-rich content for the search engines, and subtly sells your products/services.
5. Seminars and teleseminars: Volunteer to teach seminars at your Chamber of Commerce on your area of expertise, or host a free teleseminar online. These small business marketing strategies increase your exposure and enable you to market your products/services to potential customers without seeming like a sales pitch.
6. Videos: Create a short (no longer than three minutes) video that shows off your personality and informs potential customers about your products/services. Put the videos on your Web site and on video sites like YouTube. These dynamic small business marketing strategies can make your business “go viral” and spread across the Internet to a large audience.
7. Surveys: Conducting short customer surveys is one of the easiest ways to learn what your customers want. You can create an entirely new product/service or improve an existing product/service simply by listening to your customers.
8. Social media: All small business marketing strategies should include a social media component. Social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter give you the opportunity to spread the word about your business to your target audience and further position yourself as an expert in your industry.
9. Free events: Free events are great small business marketing strategies because you get free publicity. Integrate something unique about your business into the theme of the event, and remember to use social media and your blog to publicize the event.
10. Free resources: Offer a free report or guide on something of value to your target audience in exchange for signing-up for your email newsletter.
There are many more small business marketing strategies that you can employ to publicize your business and products/services. Always remember to integrate your small business marketing strategies, be consistent with your communications, and don’t stray from your key marketing messages.