When it comes to marketing small businesses, the less you can spend on your efforts, the better. After all, unlike bigger companies, there isn’t an unlimited pot, and to be honest, is there anything that feels as soul-destroying as spending a huge chunk of your budget on something that didn’t work?
Especially when the said budget is already stretched, getting creative and thinking outside the box can help you market your company efficiently and keep costs down and reserved for those times when it really is unavoidable to cut costs.
Let’s look at some creative ways to market your business for maximum impact (and hopefully minimal outlay).
Google My Business
Customers frequently use Google to find a certain product or service. Google is a great approach to find new customers. You don’t need to hire an SEO specialist to use Google’s free tools.
Create and verify your Google Business Profile if you haven’t already. ”Your Google Firm Profile (or Google listing) allows your business to appear in Google Maps results, the local portion of Google Search results, and the right-side Knowledge Panel in Search results,” explained one expert.
Customer Reviews
Word of mouth marketing is a powerful technique for small businesses. A client referral program is a great method to use it.
It’s also pretty easy. You can reward a loyal customer for referring a friend—a discount off their next order, free shipping, a download, or even a sample product. Giving people something they desire gets you something you need – emails for your database.
A Famous Face
This might not be as low cost as other alternatives. But recently, a small chocolatier in the UK was propelled 3-5 business years ahead of schedule thanks to an Instagram shout-out from a popular fitness influencer. Off the back of this, all of his followers checked out this small independent company, and now they are experiencing massive growth and demand on top of the already increased demand they were experiencing.
Now, this was done via the influencer purchasing from them. Still, there are other ways to get celebs or high profile figures involved with your company, and booking talent from https://anthemtalentagency.com/ can open you up to the power a famous face can offer for events, appearances, virtual concerts, and more.
Run A Competition
Do you have something you can offer as a prize in a competition? In exchange for a prize, newspapers and magazines will provide you with free editorial space on their pages. Keep in mind that there may be a prize value limit you have to meet to be featured.
Alternatively, run a competition yourself on your website or social media channels giving you more control of how people enter and the prize you offer for winners.
Become An Expert In Your Field
Journalists are constantly looking for industry specialists who can offer a little something extra to their news stories. Contact your local television, radio, and print stations to promote yourself as a willing expert in your subject. Prepare yourself to be available for any interviews that may arise, and do some media training to ensure that you are prepared to go.
Campaign for Change
Is there something about your industry that you dislike? Why not start a campaign to raise awareness of the problem and push for its resolution? To assist in resolving the situation, you could even give something from your own company. Create a press release and solicit participation from the local media. If you fight for what you believe in, you’ll pique the curiosity of others around you.
Book An Event
With little doubt, purchasing exhibit space at relevant fairs is a costly endeavor. For those who have something to sell and are interested in raising their profile, exhibitions can frequently be one of their company’s most effective marketing possibilities.
Maintain a visually appealing and well-decorated display, and make sure many marketing materials, business cards, and pamphlets are available for distribution. Don’t go it alone, either — bring a colleague or a friend, and remember to take down the contact information of everyone you meet so that you may follow up with them after the event.
Share The Love
Sharing the love, as mentioned above with the fitness influencer, is a great way to expose other businesses to a wider audience. But how does that help you? If you are working with some truly great suppliers and vendors, then give them a shout-out to your followers and others in your industry. Many people will return the kindness you extend by maintaining and supporting your relationship and even doing the same for you too. Be known as the company that champions other businesses to have your name associated with positive energy and reap what you sow.
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