One of the biggest factors in the success of a small business is the marketing that is used. It doesn’t matter how good your products or services are if nobody knows about them. Your business will not get off the ground without a solid marketing strategy. Marketing is not intuitive so you need a strategy.
Most small businesses also have small budgets, so having the right plan will help you get the most for your marketing buck. From using Local SEO tactics, using social media, and direct mail services, there are some surefire ways to get traffic to your business. In this article, we will go over some of the key details you’ll need to know.
1 – Social media marketing
The most obvious place to start your marketing strategy is with social media. Everybody is online these days so this is where you will find your ideal customer. The key is to pick the right social media platforms that match your business and audience.
Not all platforms are the same and your ideal customer is not on all of them. You’ll need to do some research into who your target audience is so you can then find the platform where they spend the most time online.
Once you’ve chosen the right platforms, the next step is to build a community by creating engaging content. Share stories about your business, how it started, and what you stand for. Show behind-the-scenes glimpses of your day-to-day operations.
2 – Direct mail marketing
Direct mail marketing has been forgotten about by many businesses since the internet has taken over. However, it can still be a very effective way for small local businesses to reach out to potential customers right in their community.
The key to success with direct mail is to make your materials eye-catching and informative. Including a special offer or coupon is a nice incentive that will encourage people to visit your business for the first time.
The key is to target the right people to make sure you are getting a good ROI from your marketing budget. Start by understanding the demographics of your local community. This includes age, income levels, interests, and lifestyle. You can usually get this information from your local public records office.
3 – Online advertising
Sometimes marketing can take more time than you’d like to see results. This is why online advertising is such a powerful tool. You will generally see the fruits of a successful ad campaign in a short amount of time.
Targeting local customers through online ads is key to making the most of your advertising budget. These people are looking for results right away and are ready to take action. You can refine your targeting by demographics, like age and interests, to reach the people most likely to be interested in what you offer.
To make sure your ad is compelling, think about offering a special promotion or discount to encourage people to visit your business.
