Marketing is a valuable asset for business owners.
Yet, many small business owners feel insecure about marketing, thinking that they do not have the resources that large companies do. Some are also under the impression that a good product will spontaneously attract customers and not require much nudging.
Yes, you did come up with a business idea you believed in and worked tirelessly to build a product/service around it. But not even the best product can speak for itself. It needs a little help to tell prospective customers about its functions and how it can help people looking to solve a problem or be entertained.
Thankfully, there are many ways to achieve that goal. And unlike traditional ‘old school’ marketing, small business owners can efficiently get the word out about their product at little to no cost.
How? Let’s find out below
1. The Best Place To Hide A Dead Body Is The Second Page Of Google Search Results – Unknown
You may already have a website or an online store running for your new business. However, when posting content on the online medium, make sure to tighten up your SEO skills to improve the likelihood of being found by the relevant audience.
According to Moz, the first page of Google results garners around 71 % – 92 % of traffic. Other studies also show that the initial five results receive 67.6% of clicks, whereas the remaining five just receive 3.73%.
Instead of posting just any content, focus on building a strategy that DOES NOT get buried on the second page of Google. Conduct thorough keyword research and see what your competitors are doing. Analyze the search intent of your targeted audience. And then create content accordingly.
2. We Don’t Have A Choice On Whether We Do Social Media, The Question Is How Well We Do It? – Erik Qualman
With over 3.81 billion active social media users worldwide, the need to maintain a robust social presence is apparent.
Create accounts on each of the leading social media channels. Besides posting your own content, encourage visitors to share their experience with your product/service. As we all know, word of mouth is the best advertising strategy. Enticing users to promote your brand through giveaways and contests can go a long way in building a credible profile.
You can also add social media plugins to your website to increase your social media account’s traffic to your main landing page.
3. If Social Media Is The Cocktail Party, Email Marketing Is The ‘Meet-Up For Coffee. The Original 1 To 1 Channel – Erik Harbison
Email marketing is often overlooked by entrepreneurs and small business owners. But did you know: For every $1 you spend on email marketing, you can expect an average return of $42.
In fact, emails are said to be more effective than social media. What’s more? They are more read than social media posts and generate exceptional results such as click-through rates, open rates, and downloads.
Entice new visitors or customers to sign up for your email address by offering a freebie or a discount. Keep your email relevant and straightforward. Update readers regarding the latest happenings of your brand. And make sure to add a personalized touch to your emails by adding the recipient’s name in every newsletter you send out.
4. Videos Can Attract A Different Audience, One That Might Not Want To Take The Time To Read A White Paper Or An Article – Brick Marketing
Video is another valuable marketing approach that enables business owners to convey more information in a short time frame. Viewers also retain 95% of a message when watching it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text. Overall, videos generate more engagement, conversions, and shares.
When it comes to marketing, video content can be delivered through many different formats. For example, you can show instructional videos on how to use your specific product or do a live Q/A session on Facebook Live for real-time interaction.
You can also shoot ‘behind-the-scenes’ of new product development or share videos of consumer testimonials on your social media pages to build awareness and trustworthiness.
5. The Secret Gift Of Paid Search Is That You Get To Control The User Experience, Rather Than The Search Engine – Avinash Kaushik (Market Motive Inc.)
Paid Search methods are usually disregarded by marketers as expensive methods of advertising. And yes, truthfully, they are a bit pricey, but paid search methods offer enhanced exposure and visibility to a brand. The average click-through rate is also higher than other marketing methods, with PPC visitors 50% more likely to purchase than organic visitors.
To cut costs down, look for promo codes and discount offers for Google and Facebook Ads. Some web hosting companies offer advertising discounts to their members as well.
For PPC ads, make sure to identify the most accurate keywords in your particular niche. Create attractive ads and optimize each area to improve your chances of getting clicks.
Paid ads on search and social media sites also give targeting options. This allows you to show your ads only to those who are more likely to be interested in your product. When creating ads, make sure you consider your target audience and filter the demographics to reach the desired audience more efficiently.
6. The More Advocates You Have, The Fewer Ads You Have To Buy – Dharmesh Shah
Having as many supporters as possible for your business is the simplest and cheapest way to get the word out about your brand.
For example, ask friends and families to promote your product/services. Send freebies to influencers and ask them to post reviews on their social media channels. You will be surprised to see how many of them happily endorse your product for a freebie.
Talk to your existing and prospective customers as well. Respond to every query or comment you get on social media. Participate in online forums like Quora, HARO, and Reddit and answer questions relevant to your industry.
You can also collaborate with other businesses in your niche market and introduce your business to a relatively newer audience.
7. Stopping Advertising to Save Money Is Like Stopping the Clock to Save Time – Henry Ford
Last but not least, remain consistent in your branding efforts. With so much competition, it may seem like a challenge to get the word out about your company.
Don’t lose hope and put a stop to marketing if results don’t seem favorable. Instead, keep your business goals in mind and continue pushing various advertising strategies to continually entice the audience. With time and effort, you will surely be able to get the desired results.
Good luck!
