Virtually every small business owner is dedicated to their business. They work long hours, offer some of the best customer service, and are truly proud of the product or service they offer. But the problem is most people don’t even know that your small business exists.
Large corporations have the luxury of a seemingly unlimited marketing budget. This enables them to buy that Super Bowl ad and reach tens of millions of people to increase their brand awareness. They can purchase those billboards on the major highway, pay for that advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, or sponsor that local professional sports team. As small business owners, some feel we are at a serious disadvantage over large corporations.
I personally believe this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Small businesses are actually at a unique advantage over large businesses when it comes to marketing, the problem is most small business owners simply don’t know where to begin with marketing their product.
Here are 5 simple, cost effective tips for small business marketing that can not only increase your small business’ branding, but will also increase sales:
- Don’t Advertise Like A Large Corporation:
Large corporations advertise on huge scales to create brand awareness for the extreme long term future. Small businesses usually don’t have the money to do this, so I always suggest small businesses advertise for the relative future. The best way to do this is to always include some sort of offer in your advertising. This offer can be something as simple as a discount for new customers or a free trial. This is an extremely easy way to get that potential customer to stop kicking the tires and to step up to the plate and give your small business a try.
- Don’t Advertise Like A Large Corporation:
- Good, Better, Best Pricing Still Works:
I was just getting my oil changed the other day and they offered a “Good, Better, Best” pricing model. This enables them to take advantage of a much larger market share by catering to those who demand the cheapest possible service, but also cater to those who demand a higher quality service at a premium price. Small business owners should always try to offer a “Good, Better, Best” pricing model.
- Good, Better, Best Pricing Still Works:
- Try Something Different
Most small business owners think outside the box when it comes to starting their business, but when it comes to marketing for some reason everyone is suddenly thinking back inside the box. Try something different that no one else is doing–it will draw attention to your business. As we all know, whenever someone does something unusual these days it has the potential to go viral on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube, so maybe your small business could be the next internet sensation.
- Try Something Different
- Take Advantage Of Your Current Customers:
Your current customers already trust you–try getting them to continue to use your product or service. Repeat business is the cheapest business to gain, and you can try something as simple as dropping them a quick email, phone call, or letter to follow up with them. This is an extremely cost effective way to make prior customers turn into repeat customers. But remember, there is a fine line between following up and overwhelming them so make sure you stay on the right side of that line.
- Take Advantage Of Your Current Customers:
- Use The Internet To Attract New Customers:
The internet is one of the most powerful marketing tools known to man, but most small businesses don’t know where to start with internet marketing. The two main forms of online marketing every small business should engage in are search engine optimization and social media marketing. Search engine optimization (SEO) will allow your small business to take advantage of the 80% of people who utilize search engines to find a product or service. Social media marketing will enable you to stay in touch with current customers and potential new customers on a much more personal level, and can be an excellent free marketing tool.
Following these 5 simple tips can be an incredible way to increase customers for your small business. But even with this knowledge, some small business owners are just too busy to take on small business online marketing by themselves. If that’s the case, give us a call at 1-888-918-1665 or submit the free marketing analysis form directly on the right on this post. One of our small business SEO and marketing experts will personally contact you to discuss a marketing plan for your small business.