Ask any new business owner that’s just starting out what the most difficult part of their business is and they’ll probably say marketing.
It’s so difficult these days to reach and retain customers. Yes, marketing a new business can be a very time consuming and a costly challenge, but there are many things you can do to get your name out there for free!
Attend Networking Events
Don’t roll your eyes! There’s more to networking events than getting a free lanyard or glass of cheap wine.
There are a handful of marketing practices available to entrepreneurs that don’t require them to burn through valuable resources, and attending networking events is one of them. You can liaise and get advice from others in the industry, find out tricks of the trade, but most importantly – get your name out there! You can meet both competitors and potential leads at such events.
Create Local Awareness
There are loads of simple ways to you get your own PR when you’re just starting out. Gaining simple coverage in local papers, magazines and on websites can significantly increase your name recognition and tell people about your business. This can massively increase new customer acquisition.
A good place to start is with publications and writers that typically cover your industry, or that are local to your business. You should also consider creating a free local business listing in Google.
Utilise Social Media
If you’re not already, you need to get your company on social media.
It’s free, simple to use and offers a massive network of potential customers! Simply identify the social channels that will reach your target consumer best – including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn etc.
It’s a simple way to connect with your customers and clients, for example, for business professionals LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with people in your industry and to attract endorsements for your skills. If you sell products and have great photos you might focus on social platforms like Instagram and Pinterest which are great for image sharing. The possibilities are endless.
Regular Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of the is the most effective digital marketing tactics that can be totally free of charge. Start a customer newsletter that offers timely information about your company. You can include special promotions or the latest news. You can do it yourself with free services, such as MailChimp, which allows you to send marketing emails and automated messages to customers and potential customers.
Marketing a small or new business is enormously vital to a company’s success but that doesn’t automatically mean you have to invest a huge lump of money into it.
Let’s face it, as a small businesses or start-up, you generally won’t have the luxury of outsourcing your marketing needs to professionals. However, these 4 simple steps are a fab place to start!