Marketing a business isnʼt easy. Business professionals often have a hard time deciding where to start with a marketing plan, who to market to, how much to budget for marketing, etc.
Small business owners have an even bigger challenge. Small marketing budgets and even smaller available blocks of time to work on marketing make things tough, for sure. Check out the following simple marketing tips that you can implement into your business, without investing lots of money or time.
Get Out There on the Web
Every business should have a website, without question. On the web, your customers can view your product or service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contrary to popular belief, starting a website doesnʼt have to be expensive, either. You can purchase a domain for under $10 per year, and hosting plans start out at less than $5 per month.There are many free website templates available, and with a little research and help, your website can be up and running in no time.
Start Blogging
One way to get established on the web is through a blog. Blogs (sometimes referred to as “web logs”) can be set up for free on sites like Blogger and Wordpress. If youʼre using a blog for your website you should consider getting your own domain name and hosting it on your server. This isnʼt expensive and doesnʼt take much time to set up. If you already have a website with your own domain, itʼs simple to attach a blog to it.
Blogs build relationships with customers and are a great marketing tool. Use your blog to communicate with your customers, and theyʼll look to you again and again for what they need.
Break Out the Business Cards
Your business card is a classic marketing tool. Keep a small stack with you and hang one up whenever you pass a bulletin board. If you see someone who may be in need of your products or services, hand them a card. Never leave home without at least a few!
Shout it Out
Got an announcement to make? Send out a press release. Press releases are a terrific way to get exposure and build buzz about your business. Press releases can be sent to local media, including newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, or distributed online through numerous distribution channels. If youʼve never written a press release, get a professional to help you write and distribute it. When properly done, a press release is a great way to get that quick exposure that you need.
Article Writing
Publish articles on your own site or blog to establish yourself as a valuable source of information for your potential and existing customers. Articles provide added value and foster a sense of trust in you as a reliable businessperson.
Talk it Up
Networking with other business professionals, whether it be face-to-face or online, is another great way to market your business, while making friends and learning something new at the same time. Some people think networking is a big scary thing – but in reality, itʼs just talking with like-minded people about ways you can help each other.
Local networking groups can be found through traditional sources such as your local Chamber of Commerce, your newspaper, or local websites. If you canʼt find one that suits your needs, then start one! Thereʼs a good chance that there are plenty of other people looking for the same thing.
If you donʼt like meeting in person or are looking for a wider network, online networking is the way to go. Forums, groups, and social sites are buzzing with activity. Do a google search on your area of interest and see what you find. Sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn are popular these days and a good place to start.
There are so many ways for a small business to take an active role in their marketing. The hardest part is getting started. Make those first few connections, and the ideas will start to flow.
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