If you don’t invest the time and effort to bring in the customers, you’ll be out of business before you know it.
How do you start? With a solid marketing strategy.
Here are five tips on how to market your business like an entrepreneur.
1. Have Your Own Website
The internet is great for promoting your business and building brand awareness. Having your website is a great first step, and there are plenty of companies out there who can help you create one.
If you’re on a tight budget, don’t fret. There are plenty of free tools such as Squarespace, Blogger, Weebly, Wix, and other free website building services. Once you get the basics of your website up and running, focus on putting together a few pages that tell the story of your business in detail.
Where did you come from? What do you do? What are your credentials? Why should people care?
You can also optimize your website for mobile and desktop users and take advantage of social media sharing buttons.
Most importantly, you should ensure that it is easy to find and navigate. If someone can’t figure out how to use your site, they’ll move on to the next one quickly.
Once your website is set up, it’s time to start marketing it.
2. Mass Phone Calls
If your business is small and local and isn’t big enough to warrant a website, don’t fear. You can still make an impact by taking advantage of mass phone marketing.
One of the most common ways to do this is with a toll-free number that you can voice broadcast across your entire geographic area. Start with a list of people you know in your area that might be interested in what you’re offering.
Give them a call (or send them an email) and tell them about your business. You can also reach out to previous customers who may be interested in checking you out again.
3. Trade Shows
If you’re in a business requiring face-to-face contact, consider going to trade shows. Trade shows are great for making connections, finding business partners, and learning about your industry.
In addition to speaking with peers and relevant people in the industry, handing out promotional materials at the show will help market your product or service to others.
You’ll also want to take pictures of your booth and include them on your website, social media channels, and other marketing materials.
4. Maximize the Use of Social Media
Next to your website, there is no better way to promote your business than through social media. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., provide a great place to express your brand and tell your story to potential customers.
Don’t be shy about sharing your successes and failures, what you’re up to in the coming months, or even say hello. Ensure that you provide value with each post or update so that people want to keep reading and sharing your content with their friends.
For example, a restaurant owner might share a picture of their meal and say things like, "The chef just whipped up one of these for me" or "Be sure to try this dish on our new menu."
5. Involve Your Customers
Just because you’re running a business doesn’t mean you should always be in the driver’s seat. Involving your customers in your business gives them a sense of ownership and helps build loyalty.
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You can allow them to take part in the decision-making process or ask for their opinions on how to improve your product or service. When people feel they have a stake in what you’re doing, they will become brand advocates and help promote your business.
Another way to involve your customers is with contests and promotions. You could give away prizes such as gift cards, free services, or products or ask for their opinion on monthly or weekly contests.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a small business owner with one employee or a corporate CEO, there’s no reason your business can’t be successful. You may not know exactly what steps to take, but following the tips above will get you on the right track.
You’ll be able to build your brand and connect with relevant people in your industry via social media and trade shows, which will help you increase sales and profit. Ultimately, it’s all about knowing what defines success for your business.
Image Credit: ways to take your business marketing to the next level by twenty20.com
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