4 marketing tips for small businesses
You don't need a large budget to be able to effectively market your business. Smaller companies are actually at an advantage; they know their customers on a more personal level. Try using these word-of-mouth and low-cost strategies to market your company within your industry and to potential clients and customers:
1. Have an interactive website
When people visit your website, they consider it a resource. Not only are they looking to find your contact information or directions to your business, they want to be able to use it to learn about your industry. Consider starting a blog to offer advice and cover news topics that relate to your area of specialty. If you are a dentist, you may want to add a page to your site about what toothbrushes you recommend or share a blog post about new technology you are using in your office. Customers want to turn to your site for the latest information about what you are doing and to learn tips that you can offer or how-to's to try at home.
2. Network
Networking is important for any size company, but small businesses can really reap the benefits of talking with others. Attend conferences about new trends in your industry or to learn from leaders in your field. Don't just go to the lectures, mingle afterward to speak with other people who are business owners and entrepreneurs. You can obtain valuable advice from others while getting the word out about your own company.
3. Start an e-newsletter
You may want to spread the word about your business by starting a weekly or monthly newsletter. This will remind people of your organization's existence and can keep them up-to-date on what you're doing. Include any events that are coming up as well as news from your company. You can also garner interest and make people want to read the letter by including some kind of how-to. If you're an orthodontist, teach your readers the best way to floss around their braces. If you're a realtor, include a list of the most important things to consider when buying a new home. Remember that people are more likely to read something with short tidbits of information than a long-winded multiple-paragraph story.
4. Show your appreciation
Small businesses tend to know their clients on a much more personal level. Because you don't have thousands of customers, you are much more likely to notice the little things, like a family that frequents your restaurant every Friday or a man that gets his oil changed from your auto body shop every three months. If you have loyal clients and customers, you should show them your appreciation for their business. Send thank you cards to who repeatedly use your services or come to your establishment. Even consider sending birthday cards to long-time to show that you care about them. Word of mouth is a very powerful marketing tool, and earning a good reputation can increase your ROI at little cost to you.
