Starting a small business can seem like an up-hill battle at times. Being a small start-up is something that no would argue is easy – at times it can seem as though everything is against you. When it’s not budget that you’re lacking – it’s often time and effort instead. As you’d expect with a small business – you not only have less people-power, you also have less time to implement your marketing strategies – meaning it can even more difficult to get yourselves off the ground and running.
One of the best ways of utilising time and money, is by using the internet. There are so many great tools and websites now, that not only help our marketing strategies, but help our businesses progress and communicate too. So how can you get the most out of online? keeping reading:
1. Use Social Media
Social Media is a great way to get your brand and business noticed – and it’s free. The only expense you have with social media is the expense of time (which can be cut down easily with skilful scheduling apps such as Buffer App). Social Media is a great way to start getting your brand name out there and get people talking about you and talking to you – which when you’re a small business (and lack big budgets for TV adverts) is amazing and so beneficial. Start off with the basics, such as Twitter and Facebook – and then if you start to feel braver, go with Pinterest and LinkedIn. Use the networks to socialise with competitors, fans, customers…. everyone!
2. Guest Blog
Guest Blogging on other websites and blogs is a wonderful way of spreading the news about your brand and your product – and means people in the industry will start noticing you and paying attention to your voice. Contact blogs and websites in a similar niche to your own and offer to write about a topic or issue that they feel strongly about. Also – so some extra SEO brownie points, make sure you include a link to your companies webpage too – as this will help towards better Google rankings!
3. Run a Competition
Running a competition is a great way to start getting people to notice you online – and if you have a product or service that you can offer easily as a prize- all the better! You could send out an email to all your email contacts letting them know about the competition or share it on your social networks – or even blog about it! But either way, people love free stuff!
4. Hire a professional!
Of course, hiring a professional is always going to be a good idea if you’re short on time as they’ll do the work for you, and will be able to guide them in the right direction. SEO companies like SEO Hero – will offer different work depending on what you need and what suits your business best – and will even be able to advise you what your best bets are in terms of marketing online. Perfect for people who may not have time to do these things yourself.
5. Write a blog
I’ve already covered guest blogging, but writing your own website’s blog is another sure-fire way to get noticed online. Don’t have a blgo yet? Well create one! Blogging is a great way to get your opinions out there – and it’s also a great excuse to share new product information too, without seeming to sales’.
Also use online and offline marketing together to create more synergy. Get raving fans who will help you spread the word about your business.