As small business owners we sometimes let doubt, despair, and uncertainty keep us from moving ahead. When a new idea comes along that might help our business, we dismiss it out of hand by thinking, “I don’t know how” or “That wouldn’t work for me.” But the thing is that you never know exactly what will work until you try. So, instead of just reacting to your business environment, start being proactive by saying “yes” to these seven small business marketing strategies:
1. Facebook Ads: You’ve gotten yourself into the habit of making regular social media updates on your Facebook page, which is a very good thing, but there is so much more that Facebook can do for your business. Two million businesses, many of them just like yours, have found success by advertising on Facebook. Use Facebook Ads Manager to get you started, and you’ll soon be marketing like the pros.
2. Google My Business: Did you know that you can attract more customers with a free Google listing? The “catch” is that you need to make sure Google has your information! Google My Business makes the process of creating and maintaining a listing very easy.
3. Manage Your Online Marketing: It can be difficult to try to keep up with all of your marketing needs, especially when you still have a business to run. But that is no excuse to slack off on marketing! Use a tool like Hootsuite or Buffer to link up your social accounts, and schedule future posts.
4. Get Better at E-Mail: E-mail is not just for communication purposes; it can be a vital marketing tool. Use it to send information, educate, or keep in touch. Think of strong reasons to send a message, and then write a compelling subject line to catch attention. A service like MailChimp or Constant Contact can help keep you on track.
5. Use Your Best Asset – Current Customers: Who knows you better than someone who already loves you? Yet many entrepreneurs fail to capitalize on this special relationship. Talk to your current customers to find out what they like, what they don’t like, and what they want to be different. Educate them about how to use your product more efficiently, or ask them to buy more of what you offer. And then find ways to motivate them to tell others about their experience with you.
6. Share Your Knowledge: Your knowledge shouldn’t be bottled up and put on some shelf. It is meant to be shared with your prospects and customers. Post Facebook tips, write informational blogs, create news-filled newsletters, and post responses on other blogs or social media outlets that touch on topics related to your product or service.
7. Be an Expert: Write for a local newspaper or a trade publication, get interviewed by local media, or start your own YouTube channel where you can expound on interesting topics.